Prefacing it by saying everyone in the world agrees now, whether for citizens or
indigenous peoples, that corporations have to do well by both as workers and
community people.
Plus safeguard the environment as best as can. Recognizing that all mining, no matter
the type, to build or maintain civilization, comes with some contamination of the soil,
air and water which has to be minimized to safe levels, but can't be avoided.
Something the UN, Guatemala legal social group CALAS and the indigenous people
don't understand because filled with social outrage and idealized justice, and not
common sense and practicality.
From this article,
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/08/11/canadian-company-tried-to-stop-referendum-on-mine-in-guatemala.html noting the 3rd paragraph in particularly that the Xinca natives are some kilometers
from THO's silver mine, that I guess trucks have to pass through, and that
supposedly has leveraged them according to the Social and legal Guatemala
orginazation, CALAS, to get a hearing with the varies level of courts of Guatemala.
With various pressures from the UN, and UN backed head of the Constitutional Court
CC) in Guatemala, has scared the lower court to say was valid, to the extent at first
denying THO running their mine while the issue was taken to the higher CC court
to be decided on within a years time. I think by September.
That CC or constitutional court has that UN backed judge as head of it which will
make things difficult.
So much so, that MEM, the ministry of energy and mines, in Guatemala, won't allow
THO to do what they are legally allowed to do, run the mine while the court is processing
the decision.
https://www.tahoeresources.com/tahoe-reports-strong-mine-operating-earnings-from-gold-segments-for-third-quarter-2017/ "In June 2017, the Company filed its annual request to renew the
export credential with MEM. However, MEM did not renew the
credential because its renewal had become contingent on the Supreme
Court’s reinstatement of the Escobal mining license. The credential
therefore expired in August 2017. After the Supreme Court reinstated
the mining license in September 2017, MEM publicly stated that the
export credential could now be legally renewed.
However, contrary
to such public declaration,
MEM has yet to renew the credential. The
Company believes that MEM is unlikely to renew the export credential
prior to the Constitutional Court ruling on the appeals."
The commies are winning and may win over all. Fortunately THO is a strong gold mine
too with over 400000 oz of gold mined a year as the above article indicates too. And
has the resources to wait out the CC's head judge's term in 2021 and apply again if
lose now.
"Released - improved 2017 gold production guidance at lower costs – In
September, the Company re-instated and increased its guidance for
gold production to 400,000 to 450,000 ounces for 2017 due in large part
to the positive mine plan reconciliation (higher grade and additional tonnes)
experienced at La Arena year to date. Total cash cost estimates have
been decreased by $50 per ounce to an estimated $650 to $700 per
ounce, reflecting the higher anticipated production levels and better than
anticipated cost performance year to date. Likewise, all-in sustaining
costs decreased by $100 per ounce to a guidance range of $1,050 to
$1,150 per ounce, driven by higher production and lower capital and
exploration costs. The Company remains in line to achieve our new
guidance."
From
https://www.academia.edu/34853754/Making_the_World_Safe_for_Prosperity_State_Department_needs_an_overhaul_to_become_more_business_friendly_-_The_case_of_the_US_Embassy_and_Tahoe_Resources_Escobal_silver_mine_in_Guatemala_2017_ "Embassy pressures Guatemala to appoint anti-mining ally to the
Constitutional Court This was not a coincidence, but a sign of the
successful boomeranging strategy of the INGOs to induce US government
action. Guatemalan lawmakers recognized the pattern. They complained
that Robinson applied pressure to force them to confirm (Gloria) Porras to
the Constitutional Court for a 2016 to
2021 term. That term, in which
Porras will serve as the President of the Court, just happened to coincide
with litigation affecting the Escobal mine. The litigation was working its
way through the Guatemalan Supreme Court, whose 2017 verdict the
losing side was almost certain to appeal for final decision by the
Constitutional Court."
If anything wins the court case for THO is the same article above by Michael Waller,
Ph.D. brought to this board around dec 8 by THO member here, zincdink.
For example the article says:
"Was the US Embassy’s support for campaigns against “corruption
and impunity” a sincere statement of principle, or was it truly tied to the
anti-mine campaign? The evidence shows political expedience to
support the anti-mine effort. Before the Embassy even supported Porras,
the activist lawyer had become the center of a corruption scandal of
her own. Local news reports stated that Gloria Porras, then a magistrate,
had distributed large amounts of cash to her fellow magistrates and their
legal staff. Transparency from the press reports allegedly forced all but
one magistrate to return the money, but “about four hundred thousand
dollars’ worth given to the employees” remained missing, according to
lawmaker Fernando Linares Beltranena.54"