“Letter of Concern to Goldex Resources Cooperation”, 30 March 2021

...The undersigned organizations write to you with concern about recent claims of illegal mining in southern Guatemala within the area granted for the El Pato project reportedly owned by your company. In particular, we are deeply concerned about threats against land and environmental defenders who have been denouncing these activities...Between December 2020 and January 2021, Guatemalan authorities received complaints about illegal activities in the village of El Pato, which is located within the mining concession El Pato II. The title holder of this concession is your company’s Guatemalan subsidiary, Compañía Minera El Cóndor, S.A. In addition, since late January, organizations working with Indigenous peoples and farming communities in the region who have expressed their disagreement with these illegal activities, such as the Central de Organizaciones Indígenas Campesinas Ch’orti’ – Nuevo Día (New Day Ch’orti’ Campesino Central Coordinator – CCCND), have been receiving threats. These threats also extend to Father Mario Canán from the Chiquimula area, who has been an outspoken supporter of the affected communities. The Ministry of Energy and Mines...states that it has issued an exploration license for this area, but has not approved a license for mineral extraction…[T]hreats against human rights defenders who have been denouncing this situation then worsened after a US district court released a decision that began to be reported on in the Guatemalan press...It is also important to clarify your company’s relationship with the landowners on whose land this illegal operation has been taking place...It is urgent that Goldex put a stop to these illegal activities that only generate unrest, tension and insecurity in the area, and we request that you report publicly concerning your plans in this regard...