Guatemala Farmers Protest against Mining Company
Farmers from San Miguel Ixtahuacan State are on their 7th day of blockades of accesses to Marlin mine, in the Western Guatemala, after accusing the foreign company of having defraud them.

According to the inhabitants of this region, Marlin officials paid a negligible quantity for their fields, taking advantage of their ignorance on the real value of those lands.

The company would have given 500 dollars as payment for the properties, when its real price is at least 10 times more of what they offered, so that they now demand compensation.

Guatemala Episcopal Conference President and San Marcos bishop Monsignor Alvaro Ramazini assured inhabitants' situation is very difficult and it exists among them a very strong feeling of frustration.

Ramazini also received denounces on the fact that many houses of the region has damages in their structure due to mining activities and months ago requested Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) a study, with no response so far.

Likewise, he claimed deputies of the Congress of the Republic the enactment of a new Mining Act, which priority should be to protect nation and its inhabitants interests.

The company belongs to Glamis, in Nevada, United States, registered in Canada, mixed up with other company to form Gold Corporation.

Mining Company is also accused of polluting Tzala River waters, which contains 80 times copper, 13 times aluminum, and 2.5 times manganese in excess, which directly affects around 5, 000 inhabitants health.