World Bank attacked over gold mine (Guatemala)

[struggle4progress]

By Christopher Swann in Washington
Published: August 21 2005 21:07 | Last updated: August 21 2005 21:07

<snip> The confidential draft report, obtained by the FT, charges that the bank failed adequately to consult the local community or properly evaluate the environmental and humanitarian impact of the mine.

The Compliance Adviser Ombudsman argues that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) the private finance arm of the bank was lax in following its own procedures.

Although only in draft form, the report is likely to be an embarrassment to the bank, which only recently completed a review of its involvement in extractive industries. Last year it rejected the recommendation of an independent report it commissioned by Emil Salim, Indonesia's former environment minister, that it withdraw from extractive industries.

Glamis Gold, the Canadian company constructing the mine, has said the venture has broad support from the indigenous Mayan Indians. But the project has been plagued by controversy. In January a 40-day protest by locals ended in bloodshed when security forces clashed with protesters, resulting in one death. On March 13 a villager was shot dead by an off-duty employee of Grupo Golan, a company providing security for Glamis. And in June a referendum in a nearby municipality showed 98 per cent opposed moving forward with the project. <snip>

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/94300a50-127a-11da-8cc3-00000e2511c8.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Gold has always driven men mad, and now

that most of the gold is gone, it's the uranium that is driving them mad. These minerals need to remain in the Earth, for they anchor the great streams of energy that are the aura of our planet. This is what our Old People have always told us." - Alinta, Githrabul Tribe, Australia

From Legend of the Rainbow Warriors

[Eloriel]

5. Our own Native Americans say the same thing, of course

The minerals are the Earth's electrical/nervous system.

[Judi Lynn]

2. It's such an old, brutal story. Good lord. It will never end until

every possible molecule of wealth is stashed away in the coffers of the strongest, richest barbarians on earth, and everyone else capable of doing all the work for them is rendered completely helpless to escape to a safer, cleaner life.

Refering to this company, here's info.:

"We Have Inherited Our Lands"

by Sandra Cuffe

6/13/05

Fifty-one indigenous community leaders, along with the mayor of Comitancillo, San Marcos, traveled to Guatemala City on May 25 to present lawmakers with results of their municipality’s community consultations regarding mining projects in the region.

Local residents of Comitancillo began organizing, raising awareness and coordinating the consultations in response to the Guatemalan national government awarding new mining concessions in their community to Entre Mares, a subsidiary of Glamis Gold (a Canadian/ US company). Glamis is already embroiled in controversy over its World Bank funded, open-pit gold mine (Marlin), which has been met with widespread opposition from local residents and allegations that international law and the rights of the local indigenous population were usurped when the decision was made to build the mine.

The results of the consultation process - total opposition to mining exploration and exploitation - were presented to the Vice Minister of Energy and Mines Jorge García, the Vice Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Juan de Dios Calle, and a few representatives from Congress. Their response was that the people of Comitancillo should not worry, since this was only a license for 'reconocimiento,' (prospecting) the first stage of several in Guatemala; however, what good is prospecting unless you have the option to continue exploration and exploitation? The community leaders of Comitancillo were also told that they had been misinformed about the impacts of mining in Honduras. According to the Guatemalan government officials, nothing was wrong in the mining-affected Siria Valley region of Honduras, people are doing great, and one should not turn away from the possibility that mining can reduce poverty (despite evidence to the contrary).
(snip)

http://www.upsidedownworld.org/mining-cuffe.htm

[WhiteTara]

3. I am glad to see that the people are

resisting. Every day and in every way, we have to resist.

"Resistance is the secret of Joy" Alice Walker

[wli]

4. time to seize the World Bank's US assets and dissolve their US branch?

Sounds like it to me. This campaign against indigenous peoples is a crime against humanity.

Interpol should probably be going after Wolfowitz and several former World Bank presidents also.

ON EDIT: added "former"

[sintax]

6. And other corporate errand boy Presidents

like Mr. Clinton as well as the more obvious Bushies