Since 2012, first Radius Gold, a Canadian company, and now Kappes Cassiday & Associates, an American company, have attempted to operate an illegal mine in the municipalities of San Jose del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc, just outside of Guatemala City.
Since the exploration phase, the communities have adamantly opposed this mine and have peacefully resisted in a 24/7 live-in blockade at a spot known as 'La Puya" near the entrance to the mine. They have experienced violence and assassination attempts, threats, harassment, and a militarization of the area.
10 years later, they persist, peacefully, in defense of water and territory, land and community well-being.
In 2016, the Guatemalan Supreme Court of Justice suspended the mine due to a lack of prior consultation with the communities. While this suspension remains in effect, KCA has been working tirelessly pushing for a redo of the process in attempts for a government controlled 'consultation' process to favor their mining operation.
In addition, as a push back to the court ordered suspension, in 2018 KCA filed a claim in the World Bank - a so-called arbitrer of corporate versus government disputes - against the Guatemalan Government for $400 million for lost potential earnings.
For more information and background, visit our archives on the struggle.
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