On November 24th, 2020, the Provincial Legislature of Chubut, Argentina initiated debate on two important laws for the future of mining in the province. In an online session, both the Popular Initiative to protect the region’s water supplies from mining and the pro-mining “Zoning” bill were sent to commission on the same day, to be analyzed and brought back, with recommendations, to the legislature.

The Ejido of Carrizalillo shut down Equinox Gold’s Los Filos mine in Guerrero, Mexico on September 3, after two months of failed attempts at dialogue to address racist and discriminatory treatment, as well as breaches of their social cooperation agreement. This is the longest-running strike since the mine started operating in 2007. Instead of genuine efforts to achieve talks over a new agreement with the community, Equinox Gold, has resorted to provocation and threats, and is even suing the Ejido in Mexican courts. BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank and the National Bank of Canada are funding this unnecessary conflict having participated in a $500 million credit agreement with Equinox in March 2020. These banks have a responsibility to demand Equinox stop putting communities, and investors, at risk. Call on BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, and the National Bank of Canada to demand that Equinox negotiate in good faith without threats.

Today, Equinox Gold reached the 83-day mark in the shut-down of the Los Filos mine in Guerrero, Mexico. This has not occurred since 2007, when the community of Carrizalillo learned that Goldcorp (since merged to form part of US firm Newmont) had illegally purchased collective lands. The current shutdown is motivated by Equinox’s poor treatment of the community and breaches in their social-cooperation agreement that was signed in April 2019.

The complaint is based on the violation of the right to consultation in the granting of concessions in more than half of the Shuar Arutam territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon

On November 17, 2020, one year after the international conference "Turning Down the Heat: Can We Mine Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis?", we convened a report-back, update, and conversation with MiningWatch staff and special guests from around the world. Following a presentation of the conference report, a round table addressed three related themes:

On November 17, 2020, one year after the international conference "Turning Down the Heat: Can We Mine Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis?", we convened a report-back, update, and conversation with MiningWatch staff and special guests from around the world. Following a presentation of the conference report, a round table addressed three related theme

TAKING THE LI OUT OF BOLIVIA

By Maddie Stone on Nov 12, 2020 at 3:59 am

Today, 50 Canadian, Mexican, and international organizations, including the British Columbia General Employees Union (BCGEU) and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), wrote to the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) regarding its investment in Vancouver-based mining company Equinox Gold. 

(Ottawa) A report released today by MiningWatch Canada concludes that every new mine, smelter or refinery in Ontario – or major expansion – must have a thorough environmental assessment before it can go ahead.