Communities win temporary halt to Glencore coal operations in Colombia
Afro-Colombian and Wayuu indigenous communities barricade the coal train lines of Glencore’s El Cerrejón mine in La Guajira, Colombia (Photo credit: 350.org/ Robert Garcia)
Colombia –Swiss mining giant Glencore has announced the temporary shutdown of its coal mine activities as a direct consequence of persistent community blockades, which climate advocates hailed as a significant “people’s victory” and a “historic step to make polluters pay.”
Since 23 May, Afro-Colombian and Wayuu Indigenous communities have blockaded coal railway lines in La Guajira, demanding justice and accountability for decades of harm caused by mining operations in El Cerrejón, one of the world’s largest open-pit coal mines. Glencore will enter negotiations with affected communities demanding for the return of ancestral lands, reparations, environmental restoration, and labor protection.
In a statement addressed to the Colombian government, community representatives said, “Our territories are now nothing but sinkholes, polluted water and dust.” With the El Cerrejón mine scheduled to close in 2034, they fear that Glencore will just walk away from the environmental and social catastrophe it created in La Guajira, and are calling for a just transition plan.
With Colombia’s presidential runoff a few weeks away, campaigners also fear that gains in communities’ resistance to Glencore might be reversed in the event that far-right candidate Abelardo de La Espriella, who has promised to open the door to fracking and more fossil fuels, wins.
Helena Mullenbach Martinez, 350.org Latin America Coordinator said:
“This is a historic step to make polluters pay. Coal-affected communities deserve long overdue reparations. We will defend this victory and continue to resist until all of the demands are met. We’re alarmed with reports that Glencore is pressuring mine workers to vote for the far-right in the upcoming elections. It’s clear that the company sees the elections as an opportunity to continue their dirty practices. We call on presidential candidates to make Glencore pay and continue Colombia’s role in leading a global transition away from fossil fuels. Only then can the people achieve true justice and enjoy their right to clean, affordable energy.”
More photos of the La Guajira blockades (Photo credit: 350.org/ Robert Garcia):
Notes to Editors:
- The blockades were part of a Global Week of Action led by the Resist Glencore Network, culminating in Glencore’s Annual General Meeting last week where the company reported US$7 billion in profits.
- The Afro-Colombian and Wayuu indigenous communities in La Guajira demand the following:
– Return and comprehensive restoration of ancestral territory.
– Restitution of 22,500 hectares to guarantee decent living conditions and self-sustaining productive projects
– Environmental restoration of water sources, fauna and flora affected by mining operations
– Establishment of a high-level inter-institutional roundtable with the national government, regulatory bodies and community representatives
– Implementation of a just energy transition with the effective participation of affected ethnic peoples and communities
– Creation of mechanisms for the redistribution of royalties earmarked for reparation and territorial sustainability
Media Contact:
Helena Mullenbach Martinez, 350.org Latin America Coordinator, [email protected]
Ilang-Ilang Quijano, 350.org Media Campaigner, [email protected], +639175810934
Kim Bryan, 350.org Media Strategy and Relations Manager, [email protected], +447770881503