Impact on Communities

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Ottawa, May 9, 2012. In paired press releases the Ontario Government and U.S. mining company Cliffs Natural Resources today announced plans to proceed with the next step in the development of a chromite deposit in the area dubbed the “Ring of Fire”. The remote area of northern Ontario and the various access routes to it are in the traditional territories of several Ojibway, Oji-Cree, and Cree First Nations.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

News release: Matamec Explorations Inc. is proposing to develop a Rare Earth Elements open pit mine at what they call the Zeus Site. This proposed mine site is located on the traditional lands of our two Algonquin First Nations. Our First Nations have constitutionally protected Aboriginal and Treaty rights to our traditional lands and resources.

Monday, April 30, 2012

News release: A delegation of Central American and North American representatives called on Goldcorp to take responsibility for the cleanup at current mine sites, and alerted shareholders to outstanding public health issues, environmental degradation and conflict.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

News Release: Several shareholders have filed a resolution with Goldcorp Inc. asking the company to commit to the full costs of closure of the Marlin mine in Guatemala, and to fully disclose its closure plans.

Friday, April 13, 2012

On Monday, our national media seemed taken aback when Fidel Castro pointed a finger at Canada. Confusion arose from not wanting to hear what he had to say.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

News release: This week, Canadian taxpayers will cover the costs of eleven journalists from eight Latin American countries – and Mongolia – to attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) 2012 conference. This appears to be another attempt on the part of Canadian authorities to manage the message instead of seriously addressing the roots of mine conflicts in countries such as Argentina, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, and Ecuador.

Monday, February 27, 2012

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.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

News Alert: Protests against Osisko Mining suggest company lacks the social licence to operate at its Famatina gold project in La Rioja, Argentina.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Communiqué: With implications for Gran Colombia Gold's proposed open-pit mine, this communiqué from the Marmato Defence Committee and the Regional Indigenous Council of Caldas (CRIDEC) indicates that the local municipality will now prohibit open-pit mining and resettlement of the historic town centre. Recent changes to the municipal land use plan also include recognition of the Embera Chamí indigenous community within Marmato and prioritization of water and environmental protection.