Guatemala: Resolution of Tahoe conflict may be close
Published by MAC on 2019-08-02Source: Tahoe on trial, Pan American Silver
Pan American Silver acquired the Escobal Mine.
After suffering six years of violent oppression, local protestors against Tahoe Resources have reached a "landmark" stage, with takeover of the Escobal mine in Guatemala [see: Lawsuit against Tahoe in Canada ]
The acquisition by Pan America Silver - one of the world's leading silver producers - has resulted in a surprising admission by the company that former security forces infringed their human rights, for which it has published an apology.
It has also promised not to "resort to violence" which Pan America "strongly condemns", promising that locals will be able to "exercies their rights of protest related to the mine in the future".
What happens next will be closely monitored and reported on by MAC.
Guatemalan protestors reach landmark conclusion to lawsuit against Canadian mining company
Tahoe on Trial https://tahoeontrial.net
30 July 2019
Conclusion reached with Pan American Silver, the acquirers of Tahoe Resources, includes a public apology to the protestors and the community for the conduct of mine security forces. Marks the first time foreign plaintiffs have achieved justice in a human rights case against a Canadian mining company in the Canadian court system.
VANCOUVER, BC; GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA — The six-year long legal battle between a group of Guatemalan protestors and Tahoe Resources of Vancouver, Canada, has come to a landmark conclusion. Pan American Silver, which acquired Tahoe in February 2019, has issued a public apology stating that “the shooting on April 27, 2013, infringed the human rights of the protestors,” and “Pan American, on behalf of Tahoe, apologizes to the victims and to the community.”
In April 2013, the protestors gathered at the entrance to Tahoe’s Escobal Mine in south-east Guatemala to protest the lack of community consultation on the project. The head of security for the mine, Alberto Rotondo, ordered security personnel to break up the demonstration by shooting at the protestors. Several were injured, one very seriously. The victims retained Vancouver-based Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman (CFM Lawyers) to represent them in a civil suit against Tahoe in Canada.
“This is an important victory for us and our community,” said claimant Luis Fernando García. “It vindicates our right to protest and to continue our resistance against mining operations in our community”.
The conclusion of the case does not impede the ability of the protestors to exercise their legal rights of protest related to the mine in the future.
In 2017, the BC Court of Appeal overturned a lower court decision and confirmed that the case should be heard in Canada, concluding that there was a real risk that the Guatemalan protestors would not get a fair trial in their own country. “The case sets a very important precedent,” said Joe Fiorante, Q.C., partner at CFM Lawyers. “It confirms that Canadian courts are the appropriate forum for human rights claims arising from the foreign activities of Canadian mining companies.”
Statement by Pan American Silver Announcing Resolution of Garcia v. Tahoe Case
VANCOUVER, July 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Pan American Silver Corp. is pleased to announce that we have achieved final resolution with Guatemalan community members who commenced a Supreme Court of British Columbia action in 2014 against Tahoe Resources Inc. ("Tahoe").
In April 2013, members of the local community in San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa, in Guatemala, were engaged in protests at the Escobal Mine, owned by Minera San Rafael, regarding the issue of prior community consultation.
On April 27, 2013, the mine's security guards, headed by the chief of security, Alberto Rotondo, shot at protesters who had gathered on the public road outside the gates of the mine. A number of individuals were injured during the shooting including Adolfo Agustin Garcia, Luis Fernando Garcia Monroy, Wilmer Francisco Perez Martinez, and Misael Eberto Martinez Sasvin, who filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada, against Tahoe Resources Inc., owner of Minera San Rafael, seeking justice for the violation of their rights.
On February 22, 2019, Pan American Silver acquired Tahoe.
Pan American strongly condemns and will not resort to the use of any violence. While these events occurred well before the acquisition, Pan American, on behalf of Tahoe, acknowledges that the shooting on April 27, 2013, infringed the human rights of the protesters. Pan American, on behalf of Tahoe, apologizes to the victims and to the community.
Nearly six years after the shooting, Adolfo Agustin Garcia, Luis Fernando Garcia Monroy, Wilmer Francisco Perez Martinez, and Misael Eberto Martinez Sasvin, have achieved a resolution of their lawsuit in Canada against Tahoe with Pan American. The case has now been concluded.
The resolution of the lawsuit does not impede in any way the ability of the victims to exercise their rights of protest related to the mine in the future.
Michael Steinmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pan American Silver, said: "When we completed the acquisition of Tahoe, we made it a priority to reach out and make a constructive proposal to resolve the matter amicably rather than continue with the litigation. We sincerely hope that this resolution provides some measure of closure for Messrs. Garcia, Garcia Monroy, Perez Martinez and Martinez Sasvin, and that this is a step towards repairing relationships with the broader communities in Guatemala."
Respect and protection of human rights is a core principle in how Pan American conducts its business. We are continuing to assess and improve our approach to human rights across our operations. As part of that due diligence, we are assessing how our human rights and security practices are consistent with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, as well as the Child Rights and Security Checklist. At our Escobal operations in Guatemala, we have already reviewed our security practices accordingly and we have appointed a Human Rights Officer, who reports to our General Counsel.
About Pan American Silver
Pan American is the world's second largest primary silver producer, providing enhanced exposure to silver through a diversified portfolio of assets, large reserves and growing production. We own and operate mines in Mexico, Peru, Canada, Argentina and Bolivia. In addition, we own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating. In 2019, we celebrate our silver anniversary: 25 years of operating in Latin America, earning an industry-leading reputation for operational excellence and corporate social responsibility. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares trade on NASDAQ and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PAAS".