The government of Chile has rejected a proposed open-pit copper and iron mine that critics say would have threatened a popular colony of vulnerable Humboldt Penguins.

A special committee ruled the US$2.5 Billion Dominga mine and port project was deeply flawed, meaning they believe "the eventual impacts of it have not been properly taken care of", according to local media reports.  In addition to the Penguins, the Andes Iron company had failed to consult with surrounding communities about the environmental impact of extracting millions of tons of ore from their backyard.

Chile's National Mining Society (Sonami) lamented "this decision was bad news for mining and for the country"; but Environment Minister Marcelo Mena said, "I firmly believe in development, but it cannot be at the cost of our environmental heritage or cause risk to health, or to unique ecological areas in the world."

Complicating matters even further was the fact that the businessman controlling the proposed project is under investigation for tax fraud and bribery after contributing millions of dollars to the election campaigns of dozens of right-wing politicians.

The Humboldt Penguin is considered "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Over-fishing of its food sources, climate change, ocean acidification, and invasive species along its habitat on the Chile and Peru coasts have conspired to reduce its numbers to between 3,300 and 12,000.

Humboldt Penguin