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”
Subsoil Key Actor Name Archives
2008-2013 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Marlin]
On 19 June 2008, the Constitutional Court of Guatemala declared seven provisions of the 1997 Mining Law unconstitutional based on a failure to comply with Guatemala’s environmental laws. In particular, the court agreed with the Centre for Environmental and Socio-Legal Action (CALAS) that the following aspects of the Mining Law breached the state’s obligation toContinue reading “2008-2013 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Marlin]”
2010 Legal Actions against Montana Exploradora regarding Water Discharge from Marlin Mine
In September 2010, the Minister of the Environment, Luis Ferraté, filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Public Prosecutor against Montana Exploradora de Guatemala, S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc., to investigate the discharge of residual waters from the Marlin Mine tailing dams because they may have contaminated the Quivichil river,Continue reading “2010 Legal Actions against Montana Exploradora regarding Water Discharge from Marlin Mine”
2010 Ethics Tribunal on Border Mining [Cerro Blanco]
In November 2010, the first annual Ethics Tribunal was convened on the topic of Border Mining in Latin America. The Tribunal was held in Santiago, Chile, with a panel of judges drawn from leading individuals in the areas of human rights, trade unions, pastoral work, environmental defense, and indigenous rights. Organizers, including the Latin AmericanContinue reading “2010 Ethics Tribunal on Border Mining [Cerro Blanco]”
2008-2018 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Escobal]
On 19 June 2008, the Constitutional Court of Guatemala declared seven provisions of the 1997 Mining Law unconstitutional based on a failure to comply with Guatemala’s environmental laws. In particular, the court agreed with the Centre for Environmental and Socio-Legal Action (CALAS) that the following aspects of the Mining Law breached the state’s obligation toContinue reading “2008-2018 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Escobal]”
2014-2019 Canadian Lawsuit against Tahoe Resources
In June 2014, seven plaintiffs commenced a civil lawsuit in British Columbia, Canada against Tahoe Resources Inc. for injuries arising from the alleged conduct of private security personnel employed at Escobal mine. In particular, on 27 April 2013, a protest was held outside the gates of Escobal. The plaintiffs “allege[d] that security guards opened theContinue reading “2014-2019 Canadian Lawsuit against Tahoe Resources”
2013- Criminal prosecution of Former Head of Security and other security guards at Escobal mine and compensation claim against Tahoe Resources
In May 2013, the former head of security for Escobal mine, Alberto Rotondo, was placed under house arrest in connection with criminal charges linking him to “an April [2013] shooting that left six injured outside Tahoe Resources’ mine in southeastern Guatemala (MiningWatch Canada, 2017). The charges included assault, aggravated assault, and obstruction justice. No chargesContinue reading “2013- Criminal prosecution of Former Head of Security and other security guards at Escobal mine and compensation claim against Tahoe Resources”
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”
2013 Injunction filed against granting of Escobal exploitation licence
In April 2013, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) granted Tahoe Resources, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Minera San Rafael, mining licences in relation to the Escobal mining project. Members of the Xinka indigenous community, as well as other affected residents, had opposed the company’s application for mining licences since November 2010. In 2012 and 2013, moreContinue reading “2013 Injunction filed against granting of Escobal exploitation licence”
2008-2013 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Cerro Blanco]
On 19 June 2008, the Constitutional Court of Guatemala declared seven provisions of the 1997 Mining Law unconstitutional based on a failure to comply with Guatemala’s environmental laws. In particular, the court agreed with the Centre for Environmental and Socio-Legal Action (CALAS) that the following aspects of the Mining Law breached the state’s obligation toContinue reading “2008-2013 Constitutional Challenges against Guatemalan Mining Laws [Cerro Blanco]”
