Glencore's Cerrejón Coal Mine Faces Human Rights and Environmental Complaints Over Indigenous Communities

Summary

Glencore's Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia has faced long-running scrutiny over alleged environmental damage and impacts on Indigenous and local communities, particularly the Wayuu people. In 2021, a coalition led by the Global Legal Action Network filed complaints under the OECD Guidelines against Glencore, BHP and Anglo American, then co-owners of Cerrejón. The complaints alleged that the mine had caused adverse human-rights and environmental impacts, failed to conduct adequate due diligence and failed to disclose material information concerning those impacts. Australian National Contact Point – official final statement: AusNCP Cerrejón complaint and findings The controversy includes displacement and resettlement of communities, access to water, pollution and the effects of mining operations on Indigenous territories. Cerrejón has previously entered agreements intended to address community impacts, including disputes involving the village of Tabaco. Glencore became 100% owner of Cerrejón in January 2022, after acquiring the interests previously held by BHP and Anglo American. Company position: Glencore and Cerrejón have disputed many allegations concerning the mine and emphasize environmental monitoring, community programs, resettlement agreements and human-rights policies. The OECD complaints themselves should therefore not be represented as court findings that every allegation was proven. Key facts: Cerrejón is one of the world's major open-pit coal mines; Indigenous and local communities have raised human-rights and environmental concerns for years; formal OECD complaints were filed concerning the mine; and Glencore has been its sole owner since 2022.