According to the official El Cerrejon mine wedsite, it is the world’s largest open pit coalmine spanning 69,000 hectares. El Cerrejon is owned by three coorporations: Anglo American, BHP Billiton, and Xtrata. Through their contract with the Colombian government they are set to continue the mine’s expansion through 2034
Men rest after corraling their cattle in the town of Chancleta. Here community members raise cattle in order to feed their families and sell the various bi-products of their animals. These cattle farmers are in resistance to the El Cerrajon mine which threatens to displace their community and devastate their livelihood.
Men rest after corraling their cattle in the town of Chancleta. Here community members raise cattle in order to feed their families and sell the various bi-products of their animals. These cattle farmers are in resistance to the El Cerrajon mine which threatens to displace their community and devastate their livelihood.
A woman from the community of Roche prepares iguana for lunch. Many La Guajiros rely on hunting the game of this region for the protein in their diets.
Mother and son collect yuka and corn from the Provincial community’s plot. Yuka and Corn are basic to the local diet and the communities raise their own crop in order to maintain food sovereignty.
Young people from the Provincial community tend to their community’s calfs and goats.
The Provincial community borders the El Cerrojon mine. Their proximity to the mine has members of the community expressing conscern about the potential health risks of daily exposure to the mine’s thick dust.
With every explosion El Cerrejon sends clouds of sedementary dust which settle on top of the local crops.
The cemetery of the Roche community is the final resting place for every person from the community’s past. This is a sacred and important place for the spiritual activities of the community. Under these remains are tons of coal that have created disputes between the Roche community and the mining company.
An inhabitant of Patilla prepares stuffed arepas to sell to the truckdrivers who transport the coal outside one of the mines. Despite the evictions and displacements, those still in the communities in resistance are looking for ways to get ahead.
There are few homes and familes standing in resistance in the communities of Patilla, Chancleta and Roche.
A woman guarding her home on the day the authorities of the municipality of Barrancas in La Guajira along with police in riot gear arrive to the Roche community to evict the last family whose families standing in resistance.
Several members of the Patilla and Chancleta communities come together on the day of the eviction to provide support to the families of Roche facing eviction. Members of the community brandish slingshots and cover their faces as they prepare to defend themselves against in confrontation against the anti-riot squadron (ESMAD).
The ESMAD anti-riot police armed with paintball guns filled with rubber pellets arrived in Roche to support the mine with the eviction process.
Employees from the mining company collect household belongings in trucks before proceeding with the demolition of the houses.
A woman watches her home, one of the first houses to be built in the Roche community, being dismantelled.
ESMAD provides protection as the demolition work continues.
ESMAD officials detain members of the local communities who defend Roche homes and citizens.
Four citizens of Roche are detained during the eviction of Roche.
Among the rubble of his home a local farmer finds the machinery he used to make cheese.