Mining Conflicts and Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala

Over the past decade there has been a strong upsurge in mining investments by transnational mining companies in Guatemala. The first large mining project, the Marlin gold mine in San Marcos (owned by Goldcorp Inc. of Canada and operated by Montana Exploradora de Guatemala S.A.), has generated much controversy among the Maya indigenous communities affected by it. This study of the conflict surrounding the Marlin mine analyzes the economic, environmental and social impacts of mining and describes how these communities have responded to defend their interests