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Subsoil Country Archives

Marlin

Mineral production at the mine ended on 31 May 2017. However, recuperation and revegetation activities have proceeded following the end of production, followed by continuous monitoring and maintenance. As part of Goldcorp Inc.’s sale of another Guatemalan project, Cerro Blanco, to Bluestone Resources Inc., Goldcorp granted Bluestone a right of first refusal to certain assets andContinue reading “Marlin”

Cerro Blanco

Despite receiving an exploitation licence in 2007, the Cerro Blanco project faced repeated technical and engineering difficulties preventing production. In 2013 Goldcorp suspended mining operations at the Cerro Blanco site. In 2017, Bluestone Resources Inc. purchased the mine, undertaking new feasibility studies and engineering work. In 2021, it published a new feasibility study proposing a change from subterranean toContinue reading “Cerro Blanco”

Escobal

Operations suspended pending completion of consultations with affected Xinka indigenous communities, as per Constitutional Court decision released in September 2018.

2005-2006 Company petition for constitutional protection against San Marcos Human Rights Ombudsperson’s resolution

In March 2005, Montana Exploradora filed for constitutional protection (amparo) against the resolution (EXP.PREVENCIÓN SM.01-2004/D.S.) of the Office of the San Marcos Human Rights Ombudsperson (PDH). The resolution had found that members of the community of San Miguel Ixtahuacán and mine workers had suffered human rights violations as a result of the Marlin project. The PDHContinue reading “2005-2006 Company petition for constitutional protection against San Marcos Human Rights Ombudsperson’s resolution”

2007 Community files legal opposition to Environmental Impact Assessment

On 17 May 2007, Colectivo Madreselva and members of Asunción Mita municipality (Jutiapa Department) filed their opposition to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) presented by Goldcorp to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). The same EIA had been presented to and rejected by MARN officials in 2004 and 2005. However, the team responsibleContinue reading “2007 Community files legal opposition to Environmental Impact Assessment”

2019 Meeting in Congress to question government officials on Cerro Blanco

In December 2019, a Guatemalan congressman convened a working meeting in the Guatemalan Congress to formally question the Ministries of Energy and Mines, Environment and Natural Resources, and Health regarding the health and environmental impacts of the Cerro Blanco mine and Bluestone Resources’ plans to reactivate the project.  The meeting was convened in accordance withContinue reading “2019 Meeting in Congress to question government officials on Cerro Blanco”

2021 Meeting in Congress to question officials on compliance with IACHR measures

In September 2021, the deputy, Vicenta Jerónimo, held a meeting in Congress to question representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the Presidential Commission for Peace and Human Rights (COPADEH) and the Institute of Municipal Development (INFOM) regarding compliance with the precautionary measures of the Inter-AmericanContinue reading “2021 Meeting in Congress to question officials on compliance with IACHR measures”

2015-2016 Constitutional challenge to Cerro Blanco exploitation licence

In November 2015, a resident of the municipality of Asunción Mita (Department of Jutiapa, Guatemala), filed a petition to the Guatemalan Supreme Court for constitutional protection (amparo) against the Minister of Energy and Mines for failure to terminate the Cerro Blanco exploitation licence in accordance with the Mining Law. The petition was supported by Colectivo MadreselvaContinue reading “2015-2016 Constitutional challenge to Cerro Blanco exploitation licence”

2011– Criminalization of community leaders opposed to Escobal mine

In 2011, as opposition to the Escobal mine began to develop in local communities, there were peaceful protests against mining-related construction work. This resulted in a series of unsubstantiated charges being levelled against opposition leaders, including members of the newly formed, Committee in Defence of Life and Peace of San Rafael Las Flores, as wellContinue reading “2011– Criminalization of community leaders opposed to Escobal mine”