[Direct Translation from Spanish, Original Below]

Pre-consultation Process for the Mining Rights of the Escobal Mine Begins

The office of the Xinka Parliament of Guatemala (PAPXIGUA), located in Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, was present at the first meeting of the pre-consultation phase for the Escobal mining law case, a milestone in Guatemalan history due to the Constitutional Court’s amparo issued on September 3rd, 2017, which is being fulfilled by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) under the administration of Minister Alberto Pimental Mata. 

Minister Pimentel said that the meeting is symbolic and is “the best evidence of the willingness of both parties to dialogue and resolve differences.” He added that the Ministry of Energy and Mines guarantees that the process will be carried out in a responsible and sustainable way that complies with Guatemalan legislations. 

The principal agreements are:

  • It is jointly agreed that Dr. Claudia Dary will be the professional to lead the team responsible for carrying out the cultural and spiritual impact study that was previously agreed upon at the meeting on December 6th, 2020. 
  • The Ministry of Energy and Mines will supply a list with the information that each institution will provide to the Xinka Parliament of Guatemala, so they can transfer it to the respective communities.  
  • At the request of the Xinka Parliament of Guatemala, the Ministry of Energy and Mines will provide, in coordination with the corresponding institutions, a recommendation for the profiles of advisors who would support the analysis of the information to be presented. 
  • The next reunion will be held on June 20th in the Xinka Parliament’s office at 8:30 am. During this reunion, information that was previously provided will be analyzed and discussed according to the agreements described above.

The 59 representatives of the Parliament participated in this meeting, as did representatives from the municipal council of San Rafael Las Flores, the Community Development Councils from the mentioned municipality, the holder of the Escobal mining rights, the Ombudsperson for Human Rights, the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, the Presidential Commission for Dialogue, and the ministers of Energy and Mines, Culture and Sports, and Environmental and Natural Resources. 

The participants are grateful for the opportunity to move forward with an event of this magnitude under the principles of mutual respect and good faith. 

Cuilapa, Santa Rosa, May 21st, 2021