Sierra claims that when the mine arrived, they deceived the people by promising them a better life and imposing an idea of progress that he rejects. La Guajira has the highest rates of child malnutrition in the country, and more than 40 per cent of the population lives in conditions of extreme poverty. The data confirms the devastation in this region without drinking water, from which 25 Indigenous communities have been displaced. He claims that the coal arrives in Europe "tainted with blood." "It's not fair that we have to die intoxicated and forced to uproot with sadness and pain while a multinational takes the money to another country," says Afro leader Samuel Arregocés. The Cerrejón coal mine in northern Colombia is one of the world's largest open-pit coal mines. We used to be the rich ones," says Sierra. "They say we are rich because there is a company that generates a lot of profit, but in reality, the people are poor. But these corporate success figures contrast sharply with the living conditions of the population. In 2022, its revenues increased by 149 per cent. Where Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities saw their home and sacred trees, mining giants saw a million-dollar opportunity to extract tonnes of coal.Ĭerrejón exports most of its coal abroad and is owned by the Swiss multinational Glencore - a source of grievance among the Guajiros who feel they live in poverty while others prosper.Īccording to Cerrejón's 2020 annual report, 43 per cent of the coal was exported to the Mediterranean region and 15 per cent to other countries in non-Mediterranean Europe.Ĭerrejón is the second most profitable mining company in Colombia. Locals say the coal arrives in Europe ‘tainted with blood’ Mining Europe’s biggest rare earth deposit could make life ‘impossible’ for Sámi communities.‘Reclaiming our identity’: Lahaina fights to revive ancient trees nearly wiped out by wildfires.
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