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Reuters
Reuters
Business

Blockade lifted at Colombia coal mine Cerrejon

Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities sit on a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon before lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

Protesters in Colombia's northern La Guajira province have lifted a four-day blockade of a rail line and the entrance to an export terminal used by coal miner Cerrejon, the company said on Friday.

The blockade, which was affecting operations, was led by residents from three communities in Media Luna, the company had previously said.

"It has been lifted," a Cerrejon spokesperson told Reuters, adding normal operations will now resume.

Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities walk over a railway line used by coal producer Cerrejon after lifting a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

Blockades of roads, the rail line and other Cerrejon facilities are common and regularly result in losses for the company.

Wayuu indigenous communities have had a long-running dispute with Cerrejon, which is owned by Anglo-Swiss commodities giant Glencore, over water use and pollution, dust, noise and health issues.

Cerrejon is under a court order to comply with environmental and health requirements, including by reaching agreements with Wayuu communities.

Members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) leave after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lift a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

The company has said it has signed 302 agreements, including 11 with communities in Media Luna.

In 2020 a U.N. Special Rapporteur said the mine should suspend some operations on health and environmental concerns, a call which Cerrejon rejected.

A train carrying coal rides on a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon after Wayuu indigenous from nearby communities lifted a blockade, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio

(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

Wayuu indigenous women prepare food as they and fellow indigenous lifted a blockade of a train line used by coal producer Cerrejon, in Puerto Bolivar, Colombia April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Antonio Cascio
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