Chile's government on Wednesday denied an environmental permit for the proposed Dominga iron and copper mine, siding with critics concerned over impacts to penguins and parrots at the $2.5-billion project that has sparked debate for a decade.
Chile's Committee of Ministers said the plan from privately-owned Andes Iron required special sensitivity due to the area's "unique characteristics" as a home to penguins and species in conservation categories which reduced the tolerance for risk.
