The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has been informed about the obstacles to freedom of expression and the intimidation and threats against the Mining Observatory, an independent investigative journalism center and think tank focused on the extractive sector in Brazil.

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C.) The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and the Xinka Parliament of Guatemala call on the Canadian government and Pan American Silver to respect the Xinka People’s decision seeking the permanent closure of the Escobal mine in accord with their rights to self-determination under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration).

Register Here.

Date: Thursday, June 5, 

We find the Act as a whole to represent a disturbingly unaccountable and anti-democratic initiative, in that many of its provisions either bypass, undo, or override established processes, reserving decision-making authority to Ministers or Cabinet and removing those decisions from the purview of the Legislature or any other deliberative and publicly-accountable body or process.

The global steel, iron and metallurgical coal industry is emission intensive: the Canadian steel industry contributes to 2 percent of national emissions. Many emission-intensive Canadian steel mills either do not have plans in place, or are experiencing delays and a lack of clarity about the path to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050  – which is both a government and Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) target.

We, the undersigned Canadian civil society organizations, wish to express our deep solidarity with the Xinka people and their struggle for self-determination concerning the future of the Escobal mine, owned by Vancouver-based Pan American Silver. The Indigenous Xinka people have denied consent for the restart of the mine in the culmination of a seven-year consultation process ordered by Guatemala’s Constitutional Court in September 2018. 

Rouyn-Noranda – May 16, 2025. Citizens Julie Fortier and Miguel Charlebois of Rouyn-Noranda, represented by their lawyers at Siskinds Desmeules, filed a motion for authorization to institute a class action lawsuit on October 23, 2023, in the Superior Court of Quebec against the Government of Quebec and the multinational corporation Glencore, owner of the Horne Smelter, for damages caused to people who lived in the urban area of the City of Rouyn-Noranda as a result of the release of toxic and/or carcinogenic contaminants (including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and sulfur) into t

On May 19, the Ecuadorian Chamber of Mining reported that a "free, prior and informed consultation process" had been approved for Canadian Dundee Precious Metals’ project.

Mike Crawley, CBC News 

Premier Doug Ford blames 'red tape,' but that's not the only reason for lengthy timelines in mining. 

Premier Doug Ford's government is pushing ahead with sweeping new legislation it says will speed up the approval of mining projects in Ontario, but critics say the province is using the threat of tariffs as an excuse to loosen environmental regulations on the industry.

...

Media Advisory: Xinka Delegation Upcoming Events