Guatemala: Government does not suspend mining operation

Arsenic from minig activities contaminates waters of Guatemala.

Beside that the Inter-American Commission on human rights (CIDH) ordered the suspension of mining activities in the Marlin mine, which performs operations in San Miguel Ixtahuacán and Sipacapa, the Ministry of energy and mines of Guatemala has issued a resolution which establishes that "... there is no cause to suspend operations of Marlin".
 

The suspension of mining activities is one of the five interim measures that the CIDH gave to 18 communities of the municipalities of San Miguel Ixtahuacán and Sipacapa.

Montana Exploradora is the trade name of the company that carries out activities in the Marlin mine, the one that fought for its rights before the Inter-American Commission, but don't accept the resolution of this covered by the decision of the Guatemalan Ministry.

It was after several months after issued the decision of the CIDH, which prompted the Government of Guatemala a series of "research" and "analysis" carried out by the competent ministries, then also install the dialogue table, which served the interests of the company very well because immediately issued the opinion of the Ministry of energy and mines, that hosted an official, which the company argued: "the mine Marlin and all employees of Goldcorp in Guatemala operate at all levels according to the highest national and international standards".

But also the Organization of American States (OEA) ordered to decontaminate the water sources for affected communities, ensuring access to the vital liquid for human consumption and implement effective measures to prevent environmental pollution.

Despite the fact that the measures are binding, and therefore obligatory, the Guatemalan Government refuses to abide by the resolutions, and continues protecting blatantly to the mining company.