Alert Issued Over Potential Grave Human Rights Abuses at Santacruz Silver's Bolivia Mine Prior to Shareholder Meeting

Alert Issued Over Potential Grave Human Rights Abuses at Santacruz Silver's Bolivia Mine Prior to Shareholder Meeting

In the heart of Bolivia, on the ancestral territory of the Ayllu Acre Antequera, the Bolivar Mine, owned by Santacruz Silver, has been the centre of a growing controversy. A series of allegations and demands have been levelled against the mining company, detailing numerous human rights violations.

A recent report documents multiple breaches of human rights, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, right to health and a healthy environment, right to freedom of expression, right to live in safety, right to non-discrimination, cultural rights, and the right to belong to an Indigenous community.

The Ayllu Acre Antequera asserts that the company, in conjunction with mineworker unions, has ignored their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which both Canada and Bolivia have adopted. The community was not consulted about the mine project, was not adequately informed of its impacts, and has not consented to move forward.

Community members report mismanaged mine waste, known as tailings, that gets picked up and blown around by the wind. Mine workers have also been accused of attacking and threatening members of the Ayllu who oppose the mine, including a group of women who were attacked in April 2024 while maintaining a peaceful blockade.

The mine operations have caused significant environmental damage, contaminating water and land in the vicinity. Technical studies have found elevated levels of heavy metals in the Antequera River. The environmental damage has serious repercussions for the local economy, affecting subsistence agriculture and livestock. Some community members have been forced to move away due to economic and health concerns.

Santacruz Silver is demanded to publish the results of an independent review and investigation of the tailings facilities of the Bolivar Mine, ensuring alignment with the guidelines for responsible mine tailings management. The company is also expected to adhere to the Canadian Government's Strategy for Responsible Business Conduct Abroad and its own goal for communities to have an active, free, previous, and informed participation in harmony with their internal protocols as landowners, citizens, and their representatives.

Additionally, Santacruz Silver is demanded to present a plan to clean the Antequera River and prevent future spills of contaminants from the mine into the watershed, including providing potable water until heavy metal levels meet legal limits. The company is also urged to stop the prosecution and criminalization of the Indigenous authorities of the Ayllu Acre Antequera.

It is important to note that, as of mid-2025, there are no publicly reported, specific human rights concerns or demands related to Santacruz Silver’s Bolivar mine in Bolivia regarding water contamination, safety, Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), or compliance with international and national legal frameworks in the available recent sources. However, this absence may suggest either that Santacruz Silver’s Bolivar operations may currently be perceived as meeting required standards or that any concerns or demands have not been prominently reported in major financial or mining news outlets.

Official reports from Santacruz Silver on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies, or Bolivian governmental audits might provide further details, but such data is not present in the given search results. Independent NGO or human rights organization reports would be necessary to confirm if concerns exist but remain underreported publicly.

Santacruz Silver is also demanded to comply with the mining contract signed with COMIBOL and established in Bolivian law No. PL 345/2013-2014, specifically Clause 28 and Article 347 of the Bolivian Constitution, focusing on environmental management policies. The company is also urged to guarantee the protection and safety of nearby communities and human rights defenders. Lastly, Santacruz Silver is demanded to implement a consultation process with the communities of Ayllu Acre Antequera to grant or deny their Free Prior and Informed Consent for the operations of the Bolivar Mine.

1. The controversy surrounding Santacruz Silver's Bolivar Mine extends to various facets of science, including environmental science and workplace-wellness.
2. The mine's operations have raised concerns about chronic diseases and respiratory conditions among the local population due to environmental contamination.
3. The Ayllu Acre Antequera community has reported eye-health issues, potentially linked to the mine's activities.
4. Hearing problems have been reported among some community members, adding to the health-and-wellness concerns.
5. Climate change and its impact on local ecosystems have been highlighted as another area of scientific concern.
6. In the manufacturing sector, the use of hazardous materials in the mining process has been a point of contention.
7. Mental-health issues, such as stress and anxiety, have been identified among the Ayllu Acre Antequera members due to the mine-related conflicts.
8. The potential impact of the mining activities on mens-health is a topic requiring further study.
9. Skin-care experts may find relevance in analyzing the occurrence of skin-conditions among the local population.
10. Therapies and treatments designed to address the health issues caused by the mine are crucial for the welfare of the affected communities.
11. The health impact on women's-health is an essential area of focus, as women often bear the brunt of environmental degradation.
12. Parenting in the contaminated environment is another aspect that warrants scientific investigation.
13. The mining industry's role in the environment and the resulting impact on various aspects, such as food-and-drink safety, is a significant issue.
14. Financial implications, including investing in responsible practices and wealth management for affected communities, are philosophical and practical questions within the purview of financial and personal-finance experts.
15. The energy consumption of the mine and its effect on the local climate and home-and-garden life are subjects of interest for scientists and policymakers.
16. Businesses and the business community at large have a role to play in promoting responsible practices in the industry.
17. Personal-growth coaches might focus on helping community members cope with the adversities caused by the mine.
18. Career-development counselors could assist community members in finding alternative livelihoods away from the mining sector.
19. The casino-and-gambling industry may seem unrelated, but understanding gambling trends and promoting responsible gambling could provide an economic alternative for affected communities.
20. Sports, particularly football, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, racing, American football, tennis, mixed-martial-arts, and sports-analysis could serve as a therapeutic and recreational outlet for community members.
21. Relationships within the affected communities and with the outside world are an essential aspect of social science, particularly in times of conflict.
22. Pets, such as dogs and cats, have been shown to provide emotional support during challenging times, making them a potential area of focus.
23. Travel restrictions or challenges due to the mine-related conflict are a matter of transport and tourism studies.
24. Car owners in the affected areas may face unique maintenance and safety issues, necessitating the attention of automotive experts.
25. Education and self-development programs are essential for helping community members adapt to new circumstances and seek long-term solutions.
26. Data and cloud computing can help monitor the mine's activities, potential environmental impact, and compliance with legal frameworks.
27. Technology, particularly digital platforms, can be used to mobilize support for the Ayllu Acre Antequera and raise awareness about their plight.
28. The ongoing controversy raises questions about the role of ethics in various sectors, from business and personal-finance to banking and insurance, and the need for transparency and accountability in all industries.

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