The mining company is progressively reducing gold extractions and will achieve total closure in 2017, while efforts begin to recover the area.
During 2013 202.200 ounces of gold were extracted, while in 2014 a decrease was reported of at least 185,000 ounces. It is expected that production this year will be equal to or lower to those last year and 2016 is expected to be the last year that extractions will be made, projecting approximately 150,000 ounces.
The decline in the price of precious metals worldwide has forced the company to temporarily suspend operations at Cerro Blanco.
"The Cerro Blanco mine in Asuncion Mita, Jutiapa, will enter into a state of maintenance and care, ie only keeping areas active that are necessary for the development of the mine and its infrastructure, but it will not perform exploitation activities as was planned. "
Mining in Guatemala pays 1% in royalties. In Colombia, the royalties are 4% and in Chile's mining industry pays the state 14% of gross sales.
In the past five years, exports of silver and gold have increased from $14.6 million in 2005 to $528 million in 2010.
The most recent announcement made by the Canadian mining Goldex Resources Corporation, revealed preliminary results of testing of the first seven out of twelve drill holes, on its flagship property, the El Pato Project, in Chiquimula. "The mining company said it has found high-grade mineralization of 12.4 grams of gold per ton", reported Alexis Batres in an article in Elperiodico.com.gt.
Goldcorp plans to increase production from 296.100 ounces of gold in 2010 to 400.000 in 2011.
If the goal is met, it would be the second highest percentage growth.
Sigloxxi.com reports in their article, "the company, owner of Montana Exploradora, which operates Marlin, estimates it will produce in 2011 between 2.65 million and 2.75 million ounces of gold in all of their mines, in which the Guatemalan operation would contributes less than half a million ounces, the second in volume for the multinational."
The Canadian miner reported gold and plant exports from the Marlin mine for $ 449.7 million in 2010.
Mario Marroquin Rivera, executive director of Goldcorp, explained that the total export of gold was $ 368 million and silver sales totaled $ 131 million.
Prensalibre.com notes in their article, "In the five years of operation of the Marlin mine, sales totaled $ 1,416 million, of which U.S.
The country's attorney general has ordered all activity to cease while complaints are investigated.
The order to suspend mining activity, directed at the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), is a response to the precautionary measure issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR).
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that, "Last May, IAHCR ordered the Guatemalan state to suspend the mine's work and requested information on the level of soil, air and water contamination".
Company directors say that they will continue to expand with new "Cerro Blanco" project.
Almost two months since the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IAHCR) recommended to the Guatemalan government that Goldcorp's operations at the Marlin mine be suspended, the administration has ordered a review to determine whether or not a suspension is appropriate. Meanwhile, Goldcorp continues its operations in the country.
Goldcorp To Implement Human Rights Assessment Recommendations; Commits To Integrate Human Rights In Business Process
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, June 30, 2010 – GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) today presented its initial response to the recently completed independent human rights assessment (HRA) prepared by On Common Ground Consultants Inc. The report is the result of an eighteen month assessment of how the Marlin mine which is operated by Montana Exploradora de Guatemala, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldcorp, has affected human rights, and whether the Company has in place and is implementing effectively policies and procedures to mitigate the risks of potential conflicts with international human rights standards.
The temporary suspension announced by President Alvaro Colom won’t take effect immediately.
Representatives from Goldcorp, owner of the mine, remarked that they will continue operating while the investigation takes place.
PrensaLibre.com printed statements by President Alvaro Colom: “We answered to the CIDH’s request, but there is a due legal and administrative procedure. The company has its rights, and the accusations still have to be proven”.
Guatemalan authorities stated that there is no evidence to substantiate alleged damage to the environment, and that they won’t shut it down unless the OAS orders it.
“Marlin is among mines in Guatemala established without full consultation of indigenous Maya residents, said Rural Unity Committee, a rights group. The Maya allege Marlin put metals in water supplies, damaging the health of local people, according to a University of Michigan study.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on the government to shut the project, pending an investigation into alleged human rights abuses and environmental problems.
María-Isabel Rivero, commission press director, says the call to cease mining is obligatory in Guatemala. She assured that this is necessary to prevent the conditions from worsening in the year or two it would take to investigate the matter, should the alleged human rights and environmental concerns found to be valid.