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ESB under investigation over links to Colombian coal mine

An international investigation is being launched into the ESB over the company’s links to a coa...
Newstalk
Newstalk

06.00 19 Jan 2021


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ESB under investigation over l...

ESB under investigation over links to Colombian coal mine

Newstalk
Newstalk

06.00 19 Jan 2021


Share this article


An international investigation is being launched into the ESB over the company’s links to a coal mine in Colombia. 

A complaint to the OECD has claimed Cerrejón, a Colombian mine where the ESB has sourced coal in the past, has caused health problems for locals. It claimed the ESB has breached its human rights responsibilities by purchasing coal from the site.

The complaint said persistent pollution from the mine over decades has caused problems with the air in the La Guajira area in northern Colombia where it is located, often leading to severe respiratory issues in the local population.

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The complaint was filed today with Ireland’s contact point for the OECD, an intergovernmental organisation made up of dozens of countries.

It was filed by legal advocacy group, the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), and was supported by Irish anti-poverty charity Christian Aid and a coalition of Colombian and international non-governmental organisations.

Cerrejón

Cerrejón is jointly owned by three of the world’s largest mining companies, BHP, Anglo American and Glencore. Parallel complaints have also been filed simultaneously with the OECD contact points in Australia, the UK and Switzerland, where the companies are based respectively.

The ESB and the mining company behind Cerrejón said they have not yet seen the complaint, so both declined to comment directly on it.

However, the two organisations have previously said that coal at the mine is ethically sourced.

Production work underway at the Cerrejón opencast mine in Cerrejón, Colombia, 03-03-2017. Image: Georg Ismar/dpa

The ESB has previously purchased millions of tonnes of coal from the mine, although it has not bought any since 2018.

“The ESB purchased no coal from Cerrejón in 2019 or 2020,” it said in a statement.

“The ESB is aware of issues reported in the media in relation to the Cerrejón mine. We are committed to remaining vigilant on all of these issues. We will continue to engage with Bettercoal to exert influence and drive improvements.”

Cerrejón has previously said that it complies with applicable quality standards for air and water and monitors both regularly.

Production work underway at the Cerrejón opencast mine in Cerrejón, Colombia, 03-03-2017. Image: Georg Ismar/dpa

Gearóid Ó Cuinn, from the Global Legal Action Network, which filed the complaint, said the ESB may have to pay compensation over the issue.

“If the complaint is upheld against the ESB, it will be required to take steps to comply with OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. This would include issuing a formal apology to affected communities. It could extend to environmental remediation,” he told Newstalk.

Sorley McCaughey from Christian Aid Ireland, one of the groups behind the complaint, says it is supported by Colombian organisations.

“The Colombian NGOs are the ones experiencing the effects of the mine through the contamination of their air. Their voices are making this case,” he told Newstalk.

Environmental concerns

A United Nations human rights expert recently called for operations to be suspended at the Cerrejón mine, citing health and environmental concerns.

David Boyd, a UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, said in September that people living in areas around the Cerrejón mine, “face increased risk of premature death from Covid-19”.

Mr Boyd’s statement was rejected by Cerrejón, and his comments were described as concerning by the company.

Reporting from Paul O’Donoghue


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