A protester walks past a booth vending copies Guatemala's mining law during a march against a proposed bill to regulate the application of Convention 169 of the International Labour Organisation, which requires signatory states to consult indigenous peoples prior to carrying out projects which stand to affect such populations. Current mining legislation in Guatemala, which has been challenged in courts by indigenous organizations, guarantees companies one of the lowest tributary rates in the Americas. 2011

Young K'iche' girls line up to vote in a referendum in San Juan Ostuncalco, Quetzaltenango on February 18, 2011. 33,428 men, women and children voted in rejection of mining in the area while 79 individual voted in favor.

Maya K'iche' and Maya Uspanteko citizens vote in an October 2010 referendum in Uspantán, El Quiché. More than 25,000 residents voted to reject mining and hydroelectric megaprojects in the municipality.