HudBay Minerals said that it is committed to advancing its Fenix project in Guatemala despite clashes near the property that left one dead and several injured over the weekend.
It may be noted that the nickel project, which HudBay acquired last year when it bought Sky Resources, has been the site of a long running land dispute between local residents occupying the land and the mine ownership.
The latest trouble broke out when security guards clashed with locals after discussions about relocation broke down. Police said one man was killed an another 8 were wounded by gunfire, while 5 security guards were wounded.
HudBay said that the clashes were with a separate group of organized protesters near the neighboring town of El Estor. The company said there was no damage reported to facilities at the mine site.
HudBay suspended development of Fenix last year when nickel prices plunged, and the company has since had exploration successes at its other main development project, the Lalor Lake deposit in Western Canada.
But in a statement, HudBay said it was committed to Fenix, which is expected to cost about USD 1 billion to bring to production. It added that "HudBay is committed to advancing the development of the Fenix project to reach its full production when it is economically viable."
