Guatemalan court backs Tahoe’s Escobal mine suspension

Shares in Latin America-focused Tahoe Resources (TSX:THO)(NYSE:TAHO) collapsed Friday after a Guatemalan court upheld the suspension of the company’s license to operate Escobal, the world's third largest silver mine.

The Canadian miner said the court decision responds to an appeal filed by its Guatemalan subsidiary, Minera San Rafael, in an action brought by the anti-mining group, CALAS, against the country's Ministry of Energy and Mines in May.

The organization alleged Tahoe violated the local indigenous people's right of consultation in advance of granting the Escobal mining license to Tahoe's local unit.

Originally, Tahoe was prepared to face a three-month mine suspension, period during which 5.1 million ounces of silver production were expected to be deferred, about $10 million lost and the fact the company would have to review its previously issued guidance for the year.

Today’s ruling means operations at the Escobal mine will have to remain longer than expected. At the same time, the company said the main road to the mine continues to be blocked by protestors and, despite ongoing efforts to solve outsanding issues with locals, the blockage “shows no signs of immediate resolution.”

As a result, the miner said that together with reevaluating its previous multi-year guidance, is now reviewing the financial impact to its longer term capital and exploration programs.

Until operations are resumed, Tahoe will not be able to access the full capacity of the revolving credit facility entered on July 18, 2017, and may continue to be subject to events of default, it said in the statement.

Escobal, the world's third largest silver mine, began commercial production in 2014 and recently drove Tahoe’s record cash flow and strong first quarter 2017 results.

The underground operation, located in southeast Guatemala, about 3 km from San Rafael Las Flores, generated last year a record 21.2 million ounces of silver in concentrate.

But it has also been a source of polemic. Last month, protesters blocked access to the mine, delaying shipments and supplies. Tahoe is also facing action in Canada’s court system by a group of Guatemalan for alleged violence at a protest outside Escobal in 2013.

More to come…

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