Between 2013 and 2015, approximately 20 municipalities across Honduras declared themselves “territories free of mining” by holding public referenda (cabildos abiertos) in which communities voted on whether to allow mining operations where they lived. These municipalities included, among others, Sabá and Balfate in Colón; Danlí and Teupasenti in El Paraíso; El Negrito, El Progreso andContinue reading “2007- Municipalities Declare Territories Free of Mining [San Martín]”
Subsoil Key Actors Category Archives
2013- Proposed National Consultation Law
In May 2018, the Honduran government presented a final version of its proposed national consultation law to the National Congress. This proposed law is intended to “codify Honduras’ international legal obligations to respect indigenous peoples’ rights to free, prior, and informed consent (“FPIC”)”, including the rights guaranteed under the International Labour Organization Convention concerning IndigenousContinue reading “2013- Proposed National Consultation Law”
2004-2007 Investigation into water contamination leads to fine against company, overturned by court on appeal
In 2004, a study was ordered by the then Directorate for the Promotion of Mining (DEFOMIN) into contamination of water supplies near San Martín mine. This found that there was evidence of arsenic poisoning in the water supply to the community of Nueva Palo Ralo, a hamlet that had been forcibly relocated by the San MartínContinue reading “2004-2007 Investigation into water contamination leads to fine against company, overturned by court on appeal”
2007 and 2009 Latin American Water Tribunal Hearings
In 2007, the verdict of the Latin American Water Tribunal (TLA) found the Honduran authorities “responsible for not enforcing their environmental legislation and international commitments to preserve their water sources and their population’s health and wellbeing” (TLA, 2007). In particular, the Tribunal found that Goldcorp’ subsidiary, Minerales Entremares de Honduras was responsible for damaging theContinue reading “2007 and 2009 Latin American Water Tribunal Hearings”
2000 Community complaint to Environmental Prosecutor
In 2000, the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor, accusing Glamis Gold Ltd. (then owner of the San Martín mine) of environmental crimes. The Prosecutor conducted a 10-month investigation and sought arrest warrants for three officials of Minerales Entre Mares de Honduras, S.A., a Glamis Gold wholly owned subsidiary.Continue reading “2000 Community complaint to Environmental Prosecutor”
2007-2010 Community Complaint to Environmental Prosecutor
In 2007, the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor against Entre Mares and Goldcorp regarding water course contamination and health impacts resulting from the San Martín and its closure process. In August 2007, the Forensic Medicine at the Criminal and Forensic Sciences Laboratory carried out blood and urine samples onContinue reading “2007-2010 Community Complaint to Environmental Prosecutor”
2012 IACHR hearing on the Human Rights of People Affected by Metallic Mining in El Salvador
On 4 November 2012, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held a hearing on the Human Rights of People Affected by Metallic Mining in El Salvador. The hearing was part of the Commission’s 146th Regular Period of Sessions, and held at the request of El Salvador’s Ombudsperson for the Defence of Human Rights (PDDH).Continue reading “2012 IACHR hearing on the Human Rights of People Affected by Metallic Mining in El Salvador”
2013-2019 Complaints to Canadian Securities Regulators
In May 2013, the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP) filed a complaint against Tahoe Resources Inc. at the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), requesting that the OSC investigate whether Tahoe had complied with its obligations under the Ontario Securities Act to disclose all material changes “forthwith”, including information relating to opposition and social conflict surrounding the EscobalContinue reading “2013-2019 Complaints to Canadian Securities Regulators”
2013 State of Siege and Criminalization of Protestors and Community Leaders
In May 2013, the government of Guatemala declared a temporary “state of siege”, deploying 8,500 police and soldiers in the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores (where Escobal is located) and the surrounding municipalities of Mataquescuintla, Casillas, and Jalapa, each of which voted against mining in community consultations (consultas). The state of siege followed theContinue reading “2013 State of Siege and Criminalization of Protestors and Community Leaders”
2017- Judicial Suspension of Tahoe’s Mining Licences
On 5 July 2017, Guatemala’s Supreme Court of Justice temporarily suspended two of Tahoe Resources Inc.’s mining licences pending resolution of a constitutional challenge (amparo) filed against the Ministry of Energy and Mines for discrimination and lack of consultation with indigenous Xinka communities prior to issuing the mining licences for the El Escobal mining projectContinue reading “2017- Judicial Suspension of Tahoe’s Mining Licences”
