South32's Cerro Matoso mine wins appeal, will not pay damages

Colombia's Cerro Matoso nickel mine, owned by Australian miner South32, will not be required to pay damages to indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities after winning an appeal in Colombia's constitutional court, a court spokesperson said on Thursday.

The court had previously ruled that waste emissions seriously affected communities in Cordoba province, including community members who had been diagnosed with lung and heart problems. It also said that some residents had high levels of nickel in their blood and urine.