The mayors of fourteen localities in the Baztan Valley have appeared together and on 20 November they will ask the citizens about the mining project that Magna intends to carry out in Erdiz. Mining would occupy almost a hundred hectares, and the valley mayors have made it clear from the outset that citizens have something to say: “Both the users of the lands of Erdiz and those indirectly affected by the economic, social and environmental impacts of the project,” Naiz said.

This year the public institutions of the Baztan Valley have twice tried to carry out a popular consultation, but both have been banned by the Government of Spain. At the press conference held on Sunday, the Parliament of Navarre and Magna have denounced the possibility of “making decisions at home without hearing the opinion of the citizens”. In view of this, all the peoples of the valley, except Almandoz, will take the initiative and put the question on 20 November: “Are you in favor of allowing Magna to be occupied in the village hall of Erdiz?” Citizens will have to say yes or no. Mayors say they will respect whatever the outcome, but that “it is their duty to guarantee the right to decide.”

Magna tried to recover land for mining in 2007, but the popular movement managed to curb the project. According to Naiz, he has since continued to insist on both Zilbeti and Erdizen again. In February of this year Magna reported that the mining project would present the PSIS as a Supramunicipal Incidence Plan, which implies the loss of the decision-making competence of the municipalities of the Baztan Valley in their lands. At the press conference on Sunday, the mayors asked the Parliament of Navarra to hear the opinion of the citizens before the adoption of the PGOU. On 3 October last, it approved the proposal for a declaration as a project of foreign interest.