Rights Action
August 17, 2021
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Since 2012, Rights Action has been supporting the human rights, land and environmental defense struggles of communities harmed by Pan American Silver (Tahoe Resources) mining operations.
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Constitutional Court of Guatemala orders continuation of lawsuit against Pan American Silver (Canadian mining company, and its subsidiary San Rafael Mining) for violation of the right to housing of the La Cuchilla community, in San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa
On August 5, 2021, the Constitutional Court ordered the continuation of a lawsuit against Pan American Silver/Minera San Rafael initiated by residents of La Cuchilla community in San Rafael Las Flores, department of Santa Rosa, Guatemala. They are suing the company for damages to their homes and land derived from the use of explosives for mining exploitation during the period 2013-2017, when the mining company operated in that region of Guatemala. During that period, the mine was operated by Tahoe Resources.
A ruling of suspension of the lawsuit was issued by the Thirteenth Civil Court of Appeals, on May 21, 2021. The Constitutional Court (file 3271-2021) ruled that the Thirteenth Civil Court of Appeals must continue with the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are asking for the ordering of the DEFINITIVE SUSPENSION OF THE MINING LICENSE, an administrative action established in article 51 of the Mining Law that, to date, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has refused to issue.
San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa
August 13, 2021
More information
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Testimonio: Canadian Mining in the Aftermath of Genocides in Guatemala
In our forthcoming book Testimonio, co-editors Catherine Nolin and Grahame Russell - and other authors - provide great detail about the systemic corruption and impunity, human rights violations and environmental harms that global (mainly Canadian) mining companies contribute to and benefit from in Guatemala, companies including: Pan American Silver (Tahoe Resources), Goldcorp Inc. (Glamis Gold), KCA (Radius Gold), and Hudbay Minerals (Skye Resources, Solway Investment Group).
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Tax-Deductible Donations (Canada & U.S.)
To support land, human rights and environmental defender groups in Honduras and Guatemala – including community groups resisting harms and violations caused by Pan American Silver (Tahoe Resources), make check to "Rights Action" and mail to:
- U.S.: Box 50887, Washington DC, 20091-0887
- Canada: (Box 552) 351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON, M5A-1T8
