Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Protests Against Mine Continue

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

GUATEMALA CITY, Jan 24 2005 (IPS) - Opposition to open-pit mining in Guatemala will continue, rural leader Daniel Pascual told Tierramérica, despite the violence that erupted on Jan. 11, claiming the life of one protester. The demonstrations, led by field workers, aim to halt activity by the Canadian mining firm Montana, in San Marcos, some 300 km west of Guatemala City.

''They have not yet conferred with the communities about the Montana operations, as is required by Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization, of which this country is a signatory,'' said Pascual.

Magalí Rey Sosa, director of the Madre Selva Collective, explained to Tierramérica that opposition to the mining project is mostly based on the fact that ''it requires more than 250,000 liters of water per hour to operate.''

The Catholic diocese of San Marcos, headed by priest Alvaro Ramazzini, convened another protest march for Jan. 27. President Oscar Berger has accused Ramazzini of manipulating local peasant farmers in his personal opposition to Montana mining.

Sources from Montana say the company ''operates under the most rigorous environmental and social regulations,'' has invested 70 million dollars in the project and will provide employment for some 1,500 people.