Marlin Mine Stops Production

From the Vancouver Sun

The Guatemalan government said it would suspend mining at Goldcorp Inc.'s Marlin mine in response to concerns raised about the company's environmental and human rights performance.

But Goldcorp, which denies the allegations, says the suspension process will take time and for now the mine is operating and expects to continue operating.

The allegations -- which include drying up and contaminated water sources, negative health effects and a lack of prior consent to the mining -- were brought by 18 local Mayan communities to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, a branch of the Organization of American States.

Last month, the IACHR asked Guatemala to shut down the mine until it had time to look into the merits of the complaints.

On Wednesday, the government said it would comply with the IACHR's request.

But Fernando Barillas, an adviser to Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom told Bloomberg News that the country had to give Goldcorp time to shut down.

The Guatemala Solidarity Network has more background on the conflict.