Protesting mining in Guatemala

Families gather at the main meeting point in the city of Colis for a vehicle convoy celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the municipal consultations in Mataquescuintla opposing the Escobal mine by Tahoe Resources, a Canadian mining company, in San Rafael Las Flores, Guatemala. Over 50,000 residents participated and over 95% voted in opposition of the mine during these consultations.

Residents from Mataquescuintla, surrounding communities, and participants of the anti mining movement in other parts of Guatemala jointed the convoy. The use of force against Escobal mine protesters, including alleged targeted murders of many of its leaders, drew national and international criticism against the Canadian mining operation.

A poster celebrating the ten years anniversary of the community consultation process in Mataquescuintla, which led to Tahoe Resources’ mining license being suspended in 2017 by a Guatemalan court for failing to adequately consult with Xinca communities in the area.

Hundreds of people joined the ten years anniversary celebrations to participate in ongoing discussions around mining projects across Guatemala. Tahoe Resources operated for three years in the region before its license suspension in the second largest silver mine in the world.

Coffee fields are pictured along mountains, and Mataquescuintla and surrounding regions are among the top producers of coffee in Guatemala. Many of the small scale farmers who live and work in the area in generational owned coffee farms have had major concerns of the effects of the mining industry on coffee farming.

Mataquescuintla is surrounded by mountains making it an ideal region for coffee production. Hundreds of small producers joined the convoy celebrating the ten year anniversary of the community consultation opposing gold and silver mining in the local region.

Local participants of the convoy carry banners protesting further mining operations in Mataquescuintla and surrounding regions.

Scenes of people gathering to watch as the convoy passes through midday traffic in Mataquescuintla.

Scenes of people gathering to watch as the convoy passes through midday traffic in Mataquescuintla.

Scenes of people gathering to watch as the convoy passes through midday traffic in Mataquescuintla.

Scenes of people gathering to watch as the convoy passes through midday traffic in Mataquescuintla.

The convoy stopped at the local Catholic Church where the grounds have been prepared for a commemoration conference on the successes and lessons learned from the community consultations that opposed the Escobal mine.

People gather by the cemetery grounds near the Catholic Church as they wait for the events to begin to mark the ten year anniversary.

Participants of other anti-mining initiatives in Guatemala joined to discuss the current state of these movements. Armando Teo, from Tiukal, an environmental activist speaks about the community consultation that opposed the Cerro Blanco gold mine in Asuncion Mita in the Jutiapa department in Guatemala.

In the middle of a hot day, participants seek some refuge under the shade waiting for the events to kick off celebrations of the ten year anniversary of the community consultations opposing Escobal mine.

The Catholic Church held a full service following the conference of the ten year anniversary of the community consultations opposing the Escobal mine. The church has played a key role in supporting local groups opposing mining companies in the country.

A child holds a flag celebrating the ten year anniversary of the community consultations opposing the Escobal mine in Mataquescuintla, Guatemala.