On the occasion of the annual general meeting of the commodities company Glencore on May 28, 2026, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) criticizes the company for its responsibility for human rights violations and environmental destruction in Colombia. Despite international accusations, Glencore continues coal mining at the Cerrejón mine. The Cerrejón Mine in La Guajira is one of the world’s largest open-pit coal mines and is wholly owned by Glencore. The mine has been the subject of criticism for years. Indigenous Wayúu communities report contaminated water sources, toxic coal dust in their homes, health problems, and growing pressure on their territories.
“In La Guajira, Glencore is destroying the livelihoods of the people living there and raking in millions in profits. The social and environmental costs of coal mining are borne solely by the local population,” says Jan Königshausen, Advisor on Indigenous Peoples at STP. “People in the mining areas are structurally disadvantaged and have virtually no effective political representation. Even court rulings in their favor are simply not enforced. Glencore exploits this situation and its own market power for ruthless exploitation.”
Germany continued to import significant quantities of hard coal from Colombia in 2025 as well. According to the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 569,000 tons of Colombian hard coal were imported in the first quarter of 2025 alone. A significant portion comes from Glencore’s Cerrejón mine.
STP criticizes Germany’s continued dependence on coal imports from conflict-ridden mining regions. “Importing coal from Colombia supports a business model that displaces indigenous communities, deprives them of their livelihoods, and destroys ecosystems. As long as Germany imports this coal, the federal government shares responsibility,” says Königshausen.
While the federal government speaks of sustainable transformation, it simultaneously clings to supply chains that outsource environmental destruction and human rights violations. “A just energy transition does not begin in Germany, but with land rights, compensation, and genuine participation by indigenous communities in the mining regions,” emphasizes the human rights officer.
This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at 65]G378o6DD6CA.
Contact: Jan Königshausen, Advisor on Indigenous Peoples – 65]G378o?6DF29D8:?6@<];