The Marlin Mine, Guatemala: Environmental and Indigenous Human Rights Concerns

Abstract

Montana Exploradora de Guatemala S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp, a Canadian mining company, began gold and silver mining operations in the western highlands of Guatemala in 2005. The municipalities of San Miguel Ixtahuacán and Sipacapa were primarily affected. The presence of the mine has directly impacted 18 communities of indigenous Maya people: Tres Cruces, Escupijá, Pueblo Viejo, La Estancia, Poj, Sipacapa, Pie de la Cuesta, Cancil, Chual, Quecá, Quequesiguán, San Isidro, Canoj, Ágel, San José Ixcaniché, San José Nueva Esperanza, San Antonio de los Altos, and Siete Platos. As the construction and operation of the mine was undertaken without consultation with the local indigenous peoples, and because of its potentially devastating environmental effects, a groundswell of protest followed by legal activity has occurred. In their legal proceedings, the communities complained of a variety of environmental issues, including the contamination of rivers; the drying up of wells; illness to infants and children, including frequent skin rashes; and the deaths of live stock.