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
2021 Civil action by local families against Escobal mining licence
On 15 July 2021, the families that co-own the small landholding known as “El Salitre” in the community of Aldea los Planes, in the municipality of San Rafael las Flores, filed three administrative legal actions opposing the Escobal mine exploitation licence. The families were calling for the licence to be rescinded by the Ministry ofContinue reading “2021 Civil action by local families against Escobal mining licence”
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”
2012-2013 Tahoe Lawsuit against Guatemalan Government
In June 2012, Minera San Rafael, S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tahoe Resources Inc., commenced a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court of Guatemala alleging that “community protests had ‘impeded its work,’ including the construction of an electrical transmission line through a road allowance in the neighbouring municipality of Mataquescuintla. The lawsuit named the President ofContinue reading “2012-2013 Tahoe Lawsuit against Guatemalan Government”
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”