An Algerian court has acquitted university lecturer and scientist Kamel A茂ssat on all charges related to his opposition to a lead and zinc mine on Algeria鈥檚 Mediterranean coast, following an international campaign of solidarity.
The Tala Hamza mine, located 15 kilometres from the city of B茅jaia, is owned by Western Mediterranean Zinc (WMZ), a joint venture between South Australian-based miner and the Algerian-based Enterprise Nationale des Produits Miniers Non-Ferreux et des Substances Utiles Spa, according to .
According to a January 7 statement released by his supporters, A茂ssat was accused of 鈥渦ndermining the national interest鈥 and 鈥渦ndermining national unity鈥 after he expressed reservations over the quality of the 鈥渋mpact study鈥 drawn up by an environmental consultancy for WMZ in 2020.
A茂ssat criticised the impact study 鈥渇or ignoring the scientifically and historically proven risks of imminent heavy metal poisoning for the population鈥 and 鈥渢he risks to the Soummam water table, which supports the region鈥檚 agri-food industry鈥 and national water supply.
A茂ssat also said the impact study ignored: the country鈥檚 environmental laws; the 2013 decree that gave Soummam Valley the status of a wetland of international importance, under the RAMSAR Convention (of which Algeria is a signatory); and mining law, which 鈥減rohibits all mining activity on sites protected by international conventions and/or legal texts鈥.
His supporters said: 鈥淚n the current context, given society鈥檚 heightened ecological awareness, it is clear that Kamel A茂ssat鈥檚 struggle is receiving the attention it deserves, thanks to the court ruling that has just been given in his favour and to the fight waged by the hundreds of citizens who have expressed their rejection of this project and petitioned against the mine鈥檚 development.
鈥淚t was popular mobilization that led to Kamel A茂ssat鈥檚 acquittal: this, with the participation of local residents, social movement organizations, associations, independent trade unions and the UGTA [General Union of Algerian Workers], showed where legitimacy lies, even though the public prosecutor had asked for three years imprisonment.
鈥淭his is an encouragement for the mobilization against the mine and for the environmental and anti-imperialist struggles. For all the victims of repression, particularly since the Hirak [Algeria鈥檚 2019鈥21 protest movement], it is formidable proof that the struggle, combining legal and militant action, can achieve success.鈥
was given the green light on May 13 last year to develop its mining operation and according to zawya.com, broke ground for the mine鈥檚 development on November 13.
Since the 2019鈥21 protest movement, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune鈥檚 government has cracked down on journalists, political activists, trade unionists and environmentalists.
Despite this, opponents of the Tala Hamza mine will no doubt continue their campaign against it.