Representatives of the community of Carrizalillo, a community of 3,500 located roughly 500 metres from the cyanide leaching pad of Equinox Gold’s Los Filos mine in Guerrero, Mexico, sent a letter to CEO and President Greg Smith. They allege that a surprise visit to the community from top company leadership in Mexico was part of efforts to discredit Carrizalillo’s representatives while death threats have been escalating against their members.

People resisting the mining activity of Equinox Gold, which impacts the Carrizalillo ejido, have reported the imposition of the project, bad faith in negotiations, as well as threats and criminalization. They have also highlighted health damages to the communities caused by the company’s actions.

We invited Equinox Gold to comment on the allegations and their response is available.