Canadian Mining in Guatemala: CSR Does Not Bring Back the Dead

Oct 31, 2012, 12:30-2PM

York law Professor Shin Imai talks about this case study of mining in the El Estor region of Guatemala. Canadian mines have operated in the region since the 1960s when local communities were removed to create an open pit nickel mine. Since then, the mine has been associated with assassinations, forced removals and alleged rapes. There are now three law suits pending against HudBay Minerals relating to their ownership of the mine between 2008 and 2011. HudBay and the claimants have strikingly different versions of the events. Given the nature of violence in Guatemala against community leaders who express concerns with mining, we argue that courts in Canada should take responsibility for determining whether or not HudBay bears some responsibility. Link to full article: http://bit.ly/QDX6Mr

Imai is currently co-director of the Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governments and the director of the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project.