Stop Mining Land Grab

In recent weeks, a notice was hung at a town hall advising the Afro-Colombian community of Roche that their land would be expropriated so that Cerrejón —one of the world´s largest open-pit coal mines —could expand its operations.

Cerrejón exports millions of tons of coal to the United States every year.

Cerrejón relocated the majority of Roche’s community members, but seven families asking for a return to the negotiating table remain in their homes. Cerrejón, whose slogan is “Responsible Mining,” promised not to leave the negotiating table, but broke this promise by asking the Colombian government to expropriate the families’ land.

Take action now to stop this expropriation.

Subject:

Your Letter:

I am concerned about recent developments regarding the relocation of the community of Roche in Colombia. Witness for Peace brought to my attention that the land belonging to families in Roche may be imminently expropriated despite Cerrejón’s promise to negotiate a fair deal with them.

So that Cerrejón can prove that it takes responsible mining seriously, I ask that you:

1.  Stop the expropriation process. Instead of simply taking their land and leaving them with nothing, go back to the negotiating table with the remaining families, whose livelihoods depend on the land. You promised these families you would negotiate and you told international organizations that you do not want expropriation.

2.  Respect residents’ rights to their ancestral territory. Meet community demands in unearthing their dead and relocating their graveyards.

3.  Solve the problem of the “unrelocateables.” Cerrejón has indicated that dozens of people are not eligible for relocation even though they have lived a substantial part of their lives in Roche. Through good faith negotiations with community members, devise a compensation and/or resettlement plan that is amenable to all parties.
 
These issues are not unique to Roche but apply to other communities and indigenous reservations surrounded by Cerrejón, including Patilla, Chancleta, Tamaquitos, Las Casitas, Provincial, and Trupio Gacho. Please adhere to your slogan of “Responsible Mining” by respecting these communities’ rights and negotiating a good faith agreement with them.

Sincerely,

Julian Gonzalez

Director of Public Relations, Cerrejon
Calle 100 No. 19-54
Bogota,
CO

Carlos Franco

Director of Social Standards and International Relations, Cerrej
Calle 100 No. 19-54
Bogota,
CO