Where Glencore Works Wonders

Swiss commodity giant Glencore is facing bitter accusations that its mining operations in South America are a human and environmental scandal. But a visit to the infamous El Cerrejón coal mine shows that the multi-national behemoth, bane of “right on” Leftists, is a vital lifeline for the local population and a gift to the surrounding natural habitat. Die Weltwoche looks closer.

Riohacha, the capital of La Guajira, a barren outpost in the northwest region of Colombia, is one of the poorest and least accessible parts of the country despite facing the azure Caribbean sea. The airport’s small gravel runway is situated uncomfortably close to the local residents’ modest, single story, brick homes. Half-naked children greet arriving jets as a local event. Your reporter has traveled to this far flung corner of South America to investigate, first hand, allegations that Glencore, one of the largest commodity companies in the world headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, is poisoning its South American hosts. 

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