E/C.12/ARG/CO/3 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries. The Committee is particularly concerned by the negative consequences of lithium exploitation in Salinas Grandes (Salta and Jujuy provinces) on the environment, access to water, way of life and subsistence of indigenous communities (arts. 1, 11 and 12). The Committee recommends that the State party undertake the necessary measures to stop violations of the rights of indigenous peoples and that it hold accountable those responsible for such unlawful acts. It urges the State party to always enter into effective consultations with indigenous communities before granting concessions for the economic exploitation of the lands and territories traditionally occupied or used by them to State-owned companies or third parties, fulfilling the obligation to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of those who are affected by the aforementioned economic activities. The Committee also recommends that the State party guarantee that in no case will such exploitation violate the rights recognized in the Covenant and that just and fair compensation is granted to indigenous communities. The Committee also calls upon the State party to ensure the protection of indigenous communities during the implementation of mining exploration and exploitation projects. With regard to Salinas Grandes, the Committee urges the State party to comply with the decision of the Supreme Court, once it is available.1 The Committee recalls in this context its statement on the obligations of States parties regarding the corporate sector and economic, social and cultural rights (E/C.12/2011/1). 10. The Committee is concerned about cases in which the increased use of chemical pesticides and transgenic soya seeds in regions traditionally inhabited or used by indigenous communities have negatively affected these communities. It worries the Committee that these communities find it increasingly difficult to apply their traditional farming methods, and that as a consequence, this may become an important obstacle to the access to safe, adequate and affordable food. The Committee also notes with concern the scale of deforestation, which has forced indigenous peoples to leave territories traditionally occupied or used by them, and in spite of Act No. 2633 on forest protection. The Committee is further concerned about the fact that the aforementioned activities are often carried out without an effective prior consultation with the affected groups of the population (arts. 1, 11, 12 and 15). The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the means of subsistence of indigenous communities and their enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights are effectively protected, and to develop institutional and procedural guarantees to ensure the effective participation of indigenous communities in decision-making on issues that affect them. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure the full implementation of Act No. 2633 and other legislation regarding the protection of the non-renewable resources of the State party with a view to combating deforestation. 11. The Committee is concerned that, since 2007, the introduction of different statistical methods within the national statistical system (INDEC), which are not always publicly available, pose difficulties for the correct interpretation of data and the comparison of progress in and challenges to the enjoyment of the Covenant rights by all. It also notes with concern the data and calculation discrepancies between certain provincial and national official statistics as well as doubts raised by national and international civic, research and financial institutions with regard to the credibility of data produced by INDEC (art. 2). 1 File No. 1196/2010: Indigenous Community of Three Wells Sanctuary and others vs. Jujuy, Province of and others, on appeal to the Supreme Court since it has original jurisdiction in the matter, Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. 3