Dear Editor, For many residents of Monchique, especially estrangeiros, the public meeting on June 23 did little to clarify the likely outcome of the shocking proposal by mining company FELMICA to commence feldspar extraction in the Monchique biopark.
Local residents, and indeed nature lovers throughout the Algarve, would therefore be greatly encouraged to read Algarve Resident’s exclusive interview with Monchique Mayor Rui André in which he expresses his clear opposition to these plans.
The Serra de Monchique is a stunningly beautiful area which is host to many rare and protected species. It is an important tourist asset of the Algarve and the proposed mining operation would destroy more than 1,600 hectares of prime, environmentally protected land, together with many important water-courses.
While no-one is unaware of the great difficulties caused by the current economic downturn, the economic crisis will eventually pass; but those parts of the Monchique serra which would be affected by the proposed mine would be lost forever.
We owe it to future generations to do whatever we can to support Mayor Rui André in his efforts to resist this scheme.
David Richards, Monchique
