Environment

Shareholder Resolution: Three Goldcorp shareholders have filed a resolution with the company to be voted on at its 2012 Annual General Meeting. The resolution asks Goldcorp to fully fund the closure and post closure of the Marlin mine in Guatemala, consult with local communities regarding closure and post-closure plans, and to publicly disclose a comprehensive account of its closure and post-closure plans now and in the future.

A major mining boom is underway in Keno, as in other parts of the Yukon, driven by high mineral prices. But a boom that’s good for exploration and mining companies can have an underside  for communities. The pace of development surrounding Keno is creating conditions that one resident says is like “being trapped in a living hell.” The noise, dust, huge trucks rumbling through town and concerns over exposure to toxic by-products paint a not-so quaint picture of a contemporary mining town.

News release: (Tŝilhqot’in Territory) After a series of recent community meetings, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has reinforced its determination to protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and the surrounding area from the threat of Taseko Mines Ltd.’s proposed “new” Prosperity Mine. The Tŝilhqot’in communities strongly opposed Taseko’s 2011 exploration program and obtained an injunction from the BC Supreme Court preventing the company from conducting that work, pending a challenge to the approvals.

News release: (Montréal) "The survey by Léger Marketing on the mining industry confirms the relevance and importance of our work over the last four years,” said Ugo Lapointe of the Coalition Québec meilleure mine (Better Mining Coalition). According to the survey, a majority of residents of Québec including the Abitibi region (the most active mining area of Québec) agree that there is a need for further reforms to improve royalties, environmental protection and respect of citizens’ rights.