Anglo American is one of the largest mining companies in the world, and joint-owner of the largest – and most infamous – open-pit coal mine in existence: El Cerrejón [part of Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Glencore], in Colombia. In spite of the history of violence, pollution and misery created by coal extraction in the region, Anglo American has been planning to expand the mine’s operations. [Residents of Tobacco, La Guajira]…were forcibly expelled from their homes to make way for the expansion of the El Cerrejón mine…the village was [then] completely destroyed… [If] the mine will once again have to be expanded…people will be displaced. And once again, the wider social and environmental impacts on local communities will increase...Access to clean water is also a concern around the mine…Air and noise pollution is severe. Respiratory diseases and cancer are widespread according to local residents. Noise is incessant, and explosions in the mine rattle surrounding houses, putting some residents in a state of almost permanent stress.[Previous response from Anglo American on Cerrejón and its impacts on the environment is available here.]