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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”

2015-2019 San Miguel del Progreso files petition for constitutional protection against “Declaration of Vacant Mining Lot”

On 11 December 2015, San Miguel del Progreso, supported by the Human Rights Centre of La Montaña – Tlachinollan (CDHM Tlachinollan), filed a second petition for constitutional protection (amparo) against the “Declaration of Vacant Mining Lot 02/2015” (Declaración de Libertad de Terreno) issued by the Ministry of Economy in the Official Gazette in November 2015(forContinue reading “2015-2019 San Miguel del Progreso files petition for constitutional protection against “Declaration of Vacant Mining Lot””

2013-2016 San Miguel del Progreso files first challenge to mining concession

On 15 July 2013, the communal authorities of San Miguel del Progreso filed a federal injunction for constitutional protection or judicial review (amparo). The legal action made two principle claims: the first argued that articles 10, 15 and 19 of the 1992 Mining Law violated Mexico’s Constitution and International human rights treaty obligations, such asContinue reading “2013-2016 San Miguel del Progreso files first challenge to mining concession”

2012-2013 Decree to establish La Montaña Biosphere Reserve, and regional mobilization of indigenous communities against the initiative

In 2012, the Mexican federal government agency, the National Commission for Protected Nature Areas (CONANP) and the Guerrero state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources initiated the legal process to establish a Biosphere Reserve in La Montaña region of Guerrero. This involved quietly trying to convince some communities in the Alta Montaña region to acceptContinue reading “2012-2013 Decree to establish La Montaña Biosphere Reserve, and regional mobilization of indigenous communities against the initiative”

2017 IACHR Hearing on Access to Public Information relating to Extractive Projects

On 18 March 2017, the Save Santo Domingo Environmental Movement (MASSD) (in partnership with the Humboldt Centre) and Law, Environment and Natural Resources (DAR), among others, appeared before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to provide testimony for a hearing, entitled the “Right of Access to Information and Transparency in Environmental Management, Licensing, Monitoring,Continue reading “2017 IACHR Hearing on Access to Public Information relating to Extractive Projects”

2012 Administrative Complaint by Artisanal Miners against B2Gold

According to an interview conducted with a representative of the Humboldt Centre as part of The Legal Cultures of the Subsoil project, in October 2012, two groups of small-scale artisanal miners, El Cafetal (The Coffee Plantation) and Sector La Cuatro (Sector Four), filed a complaint with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA), withContinue reading “2012 Administrative Complaint by Artisanal Miners against B2Gold”

2011 Country visit by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People

In June 2010, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People, James Anaya, visited Guatemala at the invitation of the government after the Special Rapporteur delivered a series of allegations of human rights violations relating to the Marlin Mine. During the visit, the Special Rapporteur metContinue reading “2011 Country visit by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People”

2006-2014 Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal hearings on Canadian mining in Latin America [Guatemala/Marlin]

Between 2006 and 2010, the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) held three hearings as part of a session, entitled the “European Union and transnational corporations in Latin America: policies, instruments and actors complicit in the violations of peoples’ rights.” This session included testimony and evidence relating to the Marlin Mine in Guatemala. In respect to thisContinue reading “2006-2014 Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal hearings on Canadian mining in Latin America [Guatemala/Marlin]”