Despite the Guatemalan Government's decision to suspend operations at the Marlin mine, Goldcorp says normal operations continue.
Author: Dorothy Kosich
June 24, 2010
Human rights and indigenous peoples' special interest groups scored at least a temporary victory against the Marlin gold mine as the Guatemalan Government decided to suspend mining operations in San Miguel Ixtahuacan, Guatemala.
However, late Wednesday night, Goldcorp CEO Chuck Jeannes argued there is no basis for suspending operations at Marlin, and that normal mining operations continue.
The Organization of American States autonomous Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has demanded the Guatemalan Government suspend operations at the mine by June 24th. The ruling of the IACHR was based on a study commissioned by Physicians for Human Rights which founds samples collected from Guatemalans who live near the mine "have higher levels of potentially toxic heavy metals in their urine and blood than a sample of residents who live farther from the mine."
In addition to ordering a halt to mining activities, IACHR ordered the government to "implement effective measures to prevent environmental pollution" and ensure residents have access to "water that is fit for human consumption."
The suspension was ordered Wednesday by the government although Guatemalan officials have not been able to confirm the IACHR's allegations through testing.
In a news release, Goldcorp claimed, "The response of the Government of Guatemala expressly confirmed that the studies conducted by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Ministry of Energy and Mines demonstrate there is no evidence that the community water supplies are contaminated and that they are [not] fit for human consumption."
"The Government also stated that an assessment by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare did not detect any disease linked to suspected contamination produced by the Marlin Mine."
Jeannes said, "We concur with the statements of the Guatemalan government that there is no evidence of pollution or ill effects to health or the environment as a result of Marlin Mine's presence. Absent such evidence, we continue to believe that there is no basis for suspending operations at the mine."
The Guatemalan Government will initiate an administrative process to investigate IACHR's allegations. Goldcorp said it will present "compelling data that proves there have been no adverse environmental or health impacts from the mine. "
"We welcome this opportunity to demonstrate once again Goldcorp's record of respectful, environmental sound operations at Marlin," Jeannes said. "The mine continues to operate, and while this process is underway we expect normal operations to continue."
A mission from the IACHR will visit Guatemala in July. Goldcorp said it will ask the Government of Guatemala to present "the extensive evidence demonstrating there is no contamination to the IACHR in advance of the IACHR's visit to Guatemala."
Goldcorp asserted that any suspension of mining activities would directly and adversely impact "the human rights to work, to earn a living, to personal health, and to education of mine employees and members of the nearby communities."
Marlin currently employs 1,900 people. It produced 274,900 ounces of gold and 4.16 million ounces of silver last year.
See Original Article at:
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page34?oid=106785&sn=Det…
