Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) has repaired a train track connecting the Súria mine to Barcelona port after activists sabotaged it in Callús, Bages. Operatives worked through the night to restore the potash train line. The Catalan government confirmed the track is now operational, and authorities will file a formal complaint regarding the incident.
Manel Nadal, Secretary for Mobility, stated that the Generalitat would pursue legal action. "A complaint will be filed; the events are very serious. Protest is legitimate, but this action is punishable. It is sabotage," Nadal affirmed on X. The Ajuntament de Callús will also report damages within its municipality, including a damaged wall and barricades of stones and branches on the cemetery road.
Activist Group Targets ICL Mining Practices
The activist group Revoltes de la Terra (Revolts of the Land) claimed responsibility for the sabotage. Their objective was to protest the practices of the mining multinational ICL in the Llobregat basin. The movement alleges that ICL's mining activities cause contaminant spills, affecting local water sources. Additionally, they highlight ICL's business ties with Israel.
Last year, Revoltes de la Terra organised a protest camp in Mont-roig del Camp, Baix Camp. That action opposed a proposed electric battery factory project. This latest incident targets ICL's operations, which transport potash from Súria to the port of Barcelona, a crucial route for industrial exports.
Broader Context and Future Actions
The Llobregat basin is a vital ecological and economic area in Catalonia. Environmental groups frequently monitor industrial activities there. The Generalitat's firm stance indicates a zero-tolerance policy towards infrastructure sabotage, even amidst legitimate protest. Authorities expect the legal proceedings against those responsible for the track damage to commence shortly.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
