Kanesatake - Niocan

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

For over 10 years Niocan Inc. has been pursuing the development of an underground niobium mine in southern Quebec near the town of Oka. Numerous concerns have been raised by the local communities including the residents of Oka and the Mohawk of Kanesatake. The Mohawk have aboriginal treaty rights to the area, which part of an unsettled land claim.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

On May 16, 2005, the Québec Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) released its report on the potential effects of operating a niobium mine and plant in Oka on surface and ground waters and their uses.

Saturday, December 27, 2003

On November 25, 2003, the Québec Court rejected the appeal of the Union of Agricultural Producers to the Administrative Tribunal of Québec's decision in favour of Niocan's proposed niobium mine. This rejection comes as a blow to the residents of Oka who, despite widespread concern around this mine, seem to be hitting bureaucratic obstacles.

Friday, September 19, 2003

On September 6, 2003, MiningWatch Canada had the privilege of attending a benefit concert organized by the Citizens’ Committee of Oka, the Band Council of Kanesatake, and the UPA (Union of Agricultural Producers) of Deux Montagnes in collaboration with l’Art Bleu from Eau Secours!, a Montreal-based NGO that works for the protection of water.

Tuesday, June 3, 2003

The community of Oka, Québec, continues to battle the niobium mine planned by Niocan (see “Citizens oppose Niocan's proposed niobium mine in Oka, Québec” in Newsletter No. 3, Spring 2000). Oka residents are demanding a federal environmental assessment.

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

On February 14, 2002, the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake passed a resolution to protect their traditional territory from a niobium mine that will affect their waters and lands. They are demanding a full environmental assessment conducted by Québec and the Federal government of the Niocan project, preferably jointly.

The requests to the Québec and federal governments state that "the Mohawk Council will continue to oppose this project through all means available to us."

Tuesday, February 19, 2002

(Presentation by Joan Kuyek, National Coordinator)

Thank you for this opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

MiningWatch Canada is a pan-Canadian coalition of environmental, Aboriginal, social justice, development and labour organizations that advocates for responsible mining practices and policies in Canada and by Canadian companies operating internationally.

We have a number of concerns with the amendments to CEAA which I will address here with reference to some specific mining projects.

Tuesday, May 23, 2000

The people of Oka are campaigning against the development of a niobium mine proposed by Niocan, a Québec company, in their community. A parish vote taken on April 16 overwhelmingly rejected the mine. The Municipality of Oka consultant, Donat Bilodeau, found a disturbing number of problems in his review of the Environmental Impact Statement submitted by Niocan. The total finished product from the mine that is projected by Niocan is just under the amount requiring a full environmental assessment in Québec.