Demand that U.S. Based Refiners Cut Ties with Human Rights Abusing Mining Company, Aura Minerals

Shohei Yasuda - President, Asahi Refining USA; James Verraster III, CEO Aura Met International LLC

Last fall, U.S.-based transnational mining company Aura Minerals destroyed a 200-year-old cemetery belonging to the Maya Chortí community of Azacualpa in Honduras. The ongoing expansion of the San Andres gold mine now threatens to forcibly displace the community of Azacualpa, contaminate vital water sources for nearby communities, and criminalize Indigenous leaders. Despite well-documented human rights violations, U.S.-based refineries continue to buy gold from this mining project.

In February 2023, the Committee of People Affected by MINOSA and over 60 other organizations sent a letter to U.S.-based companies, Asahi Refining USA and Auramet International, to demand that they stop buying gold from the San Andres Mine in Honduras, citing serious human rights violations and concerns of corruption. Asahi Refining, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Asahi Group Holdings, reported that after discussing our claims with Aura Minerals, they consider the matter closed and will be taking no further action, while Auramet never responded to the letter.

Oppose U.S. companies that profit from the displacement and dispossession of Honduran communities! Join the Indigenous Maya-Chortí people of Azacualpa and other affected peoples in demanding that Asahi Refining and Auramet cut any and all commercial ties with MINOSA/Aura Minerals Inc.

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En otoño del año pasado, la empresa minera transnacional estadounidense Aura Minerals destruyó un cementerio de 200 años de antigüedad de la comunidad maya chortí de Azacualpa, en Honduras. La ampliación en curso de la mina de oro de San Andrés ahora amenaza con el desplazamiento forzado de la comunidad de Azacualpa, la contaminación de fuentes de agua vitales para las comunidades cercanas y con procesos de criminalización en contra de liderazgos indígenas. A pesar de las violaciones de derechos humanos bien documentadas, refinerías con sede en Estados Unidos siguen comprando oro de este proyecto minero.

En febrero de 2023, el Comité de Afectados por MINOSA, y 60 otras organizaciones enviaron una carta a empresas estadounidenses Asahi Refining USA y Auramet International para exigirles que dejen de comprar oro de la mina de San Andrés, en Honduras, alegando graves violaciones de derechos humanos y indicios de corrupción. Asahi Refining, filial del conglomerado japonés Asahi Group Holdings, informó que, tras discutir nuestra denuncia con Aura Minerals, consideran el asunto cerrado y no tomarán ninguna otra medida. Auramet nunca respondió a la carta.

¡Opongase a empresas estadounidenses que se benefician del desplazamiento y despojo de comunidades hondureñas! Únete al pueblo indígena Maya-Chortí de Azacualpa y a otros pueblos afectados para exigir que Asahi Refining y Auramet corten todos y cada uno de sus vínculos comerciales con MINOSA/Aura Minerals Inc firmando esta petición


To: Shohei Yasuda - President, Asahi Refining USA; James Verraster III, CEO Aura Met International LLC
From: [Your Name]

Stand with Honduran Communities and Divest from Aura Minerals Inc. Today!

We are writing to express our support for the Committee of People Affected by MINOSA and their struggle to defend their communities from imminent displacement due to the expansion of the San Andres Mine.

We are deeply concerned that you continue to purchase gold extracted from the San Andres Mine by transnational mining company Aura Minerals Inc., despite well documented human rights abuses.

We demand that your companies abide by their own commitments to human rights and corporate responsibility by cutting any and all ties with Aura Minerals Inc.