Description

Cerro Blanco was originally set to begin operations in 2010. But they found a problem: hot springs, with temperatures of more than 80 degrees Celsius.

In the process of trying to remove the hot springs, Goldcorp is actually forcing the springs to feed into the Ostua River. This activity is going to increase the river’s temperature by about 3 degrees. Geologists have said it would be a disaster if it went up by 1 degree, let alone 3 degrees.

The company has constructed pools at the mine site in order to let the hot springs water cool down. In order to keep the hot water from draining, the pools would require a strong lining. But because of the lack of regulation, Goldcorp has not taken the proper precautions. The water can sit there and evaporate, releasing the metals and contaminates it may carry. It also enters the hydraulic cycle.

The mine says it will use the heat from the hot springs to produce geothermal energy. But in order to be able to generate those geothermal projects, it would need to carry out another Environmental Assesment. They have yet to carry that out, and the Guatemalan government has not asked forced them to.

Channels that were constructed by the company to allow the water from the cooling pools to be carried away have had significant impacts on the communities through which they pass. Streets and walkways flood on a regular basis because the channels aren't constructed to keep water in place.