A resolution adopted by the Chilean government’s National Geology and Mining Service ordered a temporary but total stoppage of drilling and clearing work on the Pascua Lama mine project in the province of Huasco in the Atacama region. Work was halted due to a contravention of mining safety regulations, namely excessive levels of dust that pose a serious risk to the health of workers.
Members of the National Resources Commission announced that they will visit the site and did not rule out the possibility of requesting the environmental reclassification of the project if irregularities are found. http://www.biobiochile.cl/2012/11/10/sernageomin-determina-cierre-temporal-de-trabajos-de-proyecto-minero-pascua-lama.shtml