About this website

The ResistEscobal.com and FueraMinaEscobal.com websites are maintained by U.S. and Canadian-based organizations that have spent years working in solidarity with the communities in peaceful resistance to the Canadian-owned Escobal silver mine in southeastern Guatemala.

Like in many parts of the world, various transnational mining companies operate in Guatemala without the free, prior, and informed consent of the communities affected by their projects, in violation of their self-determination. Over the last ten years, residents in the departments of Santa Rosa, Jalapa, and Jutiapa concerned about the Escobal mine’s negative impacts on their environment, culture, and social fabric, have held marches, erected peaceful protest encampments, and filed dozens of lawsuits and hundreds of environmental complaints. Multiple referenda at the community and municipal levels have taken place, showing a clear and overwhelming local opposition to the mine.

Given the transnational nature of this mine, which was first brought into operation by Tahoe Resources and later acquired in 2019 by Vancouver-based Pan American Silver, international advocacy organizations play an important role in amplifying the voices of those affected by this project.

Earthworks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the adverse impacts of mineral and energy development while promoting sustainable solutions. More information: emoore[at]earthworksaction.org

The Global Economy Program at IPS provides research, communications, and networking support to dynamic economic justice movements in the United States and around the world. Our goal is to speed the transition to an equitable and sustainable economy while reversing today’s extreme levels of economic and racial inequality and excessive corporate and Wall Street power. More information: jen[at]ips-dc.org

The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS) is a voluntary network of people in the Maritimes who began to organize in 1988 to support the efforts of Guatemalans struggling for political, social, and economic justice. BTS has been supporting Guatemalan communities in resistance to mining since 2004, and has staff in Guatemala and the Maritimes. More information: info[at]breakingthesilenceblog.com

MiningWatch Canada works toward a world in which Indigenous peoples can effectively exercise their rights to self-determination, communities must consent before any mining activities may occur, and mineworkers are guaranteed safe and healthy conditions. Affected peoples and communities must have the means to protect their human rights, ways of life, livelihoods, and environment from the potential or actual effects of mineral exploration and extraction activities, and must have effective access to justice and reparations for mining harms. More information: Info[at]MiningWatch.ca