An Israeli company with ACA concessions for water use
ICL, an Israeli company, manages the Súria and Sallent mines and has concessions from the ACA to take water from the Llobregat and Cardener rivers. This water is used for the production of potash and salt, which is then exported around the world. In 2021, the ACA granted them a new concession to use up to 80% of the water that comes out of the Manresa treatment plant.
Questions about the use of water and the context of climate change
Unió de Pagesos questions the construction of the pipeline in the current context of climate change, with increasingly long and persistent droughts. There are concerns about the need for this water and its management, especially in a context of limited water resources.
Transparency about the use of water
ICL and the Catalan Water Agency have not specified the amount of water that is used. The ACA has confirmed that ICL has five concessions to take water from the river, wells and treatment plants in the area. This lack of transparency raises questions about the management of water resources.
Environmental impact and local concerns
There are concerns about the environmental impact of ICL’s activities, particularly in relation to the salinization of local wells and springs. Owners of affected farms have denounced the salinization caused by mining activity, raising concerns about water quality and the sustainability of operations.
Divergent reactions and perspectives
Various entities and experts express divergent perspectives on water management and ICL operations. While some defend the company’s importance to the future of mining, others criticize the practices and associated environmental impacts.