Guatemala

[Tackler]

Globe says Glamis clashes with villagers in Guatemala

2005-01-13 09:12 ET - In the News

The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Jan. 12, edition that villagers in Guatemala this week blocked a road leading to a gold mine being built by Glamis Gold. The Globe's Wendy Stueck writes that Ottawa-based Mining Watch Canada Wednesday said a clash between villagers and police called in to end the blockade resulted in two fatalities and called for Glamis's Marlin project to be halted due to widespread community opposition. "In the face of this tragedy, it is clear that Glamis must suspend operations at the Marlin site until a proper consultation process can be put in place to address communities' concerns," said Jamie Kneen, a spokesperson for Mining Watch. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that at least one person was killed and 12 other peasants and police officers were injured in a clash that involved protesters firing handguns and erecting barriers of burning tires to block a truck carrying mining equipment. Glamis senior vice-president Charles Jeannes Wednesday said the company had received unconfirmed reports of one fatality, but that it was unclear from those reports exactly how or where the person was killed.