The Vizcachitas copper mining project in Chile's Valparaíso region has raised alarms among researchers and conservationists due to its potential impact on the recently discovered population of Andean cats, an endangered species. The project, owned by Los Andes Copper Ltd., is positioned as a contributor to the global green energy transition, but local communities argue that it threatens vital habitats. The Putaendo municipality and local organizations have called for the area to be declared a protected zone to safeguard the Andean cat and other endemic species. Despite a court ruling that deemed the project compatible with the cat's presence, concerns persist regarding the mining's effects on local biodiversity and water resources. The Andean cat, which relies on vizcachas as a primary food source, faces risks from habitat destruction and environmental changes caused by mining activities. Community members are pushing for more comprehensive environmental assessments to ensure the protection of this unique feline and its ecosystem.