The organization Ecologistas en Acción Jerez has issued a call to citizens to participate in a crucial demonstration. Under the slogan «No to mining discharges into the Guadalquivir», the protest seeks to halt projects that, according to organizers, could poison the estuary and cause irreparable damage to the local economy.
The event is scheduled to start at 12:00 PM at the Capilla del Carmen de Bajo de Guía, with the expectation of gathering thousands of people from across the province. The initiative has the support of various entities such as Salvemos el Guadalquivir, Greenpeace, and the Fishermen's Guild of Sanlúcar, in addition to institutions from towns like Chipiona, Trebujena, and Coria del Río.
“"The discharges endanger economic activities as important as fishing or tourism."
The concern focuses on projects such as those by Cobre las Cruces in Gerena and Minera Los Frailes in Aznalcóllar, which, according to the complaint, intend to discharge waste into the estuary at points near La Algaba and Santiponce. Ecologists recall that Minera Los Frailes already carried out discharges into the Agrio and Guadiamar rivers during rainfall episodes in 2025 and 2026.
Among the main demands are an immediate moratorium by the Junta de Andalucía on any future discharges, as well as the creation of an independent Committee of Experts to evaluate the impact of heavy metals. This request adds to those already made in April 2024 by mayors, farmers, and the Andalusian Ombudsman.
Studies by Andalusian universities have revealed the presence of metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in the sediments of the Lower Guadalquivir. It has been detected that one-third of fish, such as shad or mullet, exceed legal lead limits, posing a risk to human health and key economic sectors like fishing and rice cultivation.
