(Papua New Guinea) Last week, the PNG National Court rejected the Mineral Resources Authority’s (MRA) attempt to dismiss the case to obtain key documents relating to the Nautilus Solwara1 deep seabed mining project and its approval. Mr. Peter Bosip of the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights (CELCOR), the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, said, “The information sought by our clients will allow Papua New Guineans to understand the environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of the proposed Solwara 1 deep sea mine and also whether it was approved lawfully.”

On September 3, 2020, the families of the Ejido of Carrizalillo in Guerrero, Mexico, shut down operations at Canadian mining company Equinox Gold’s Los Filos mine. Goldcorp began building the mine on Carrizalillo’s collective lands in 2006, which it had purchased illegally, leading to the first 83-day work stoppage at the mine by Carrizalillo. Equinox Gold acquired Los Filos when it merged with Vancouver-based Leagold earlier this year. 

(Papua New Guinea) Local communities across the Bismarck and Solomon Seas accuse the PNG Government of sending mixed messages about deep sea mining describing the Government’s approach as ‘chaotic and uncoordinated’.

“The Alliance of Solwara Warriors represents thousands of people across the Bismarck and Solomon Seas who oppose seabed mining to protect our cultures, lives and livelihoods for current and future generations”, stated Jonathan Mesulam, Alliance of Solwara Warriors.

On April 3, 2019, the Ejido of Carrizalillo concluded a long period of dialogue and discussion with the group of directors and managers designated by Leagold Mining and signed two agreements: one concerning social issues and another for rental of lands. After having negotiated various land use agreements with different mining companies that have operated on our territory over the years, we signed for the longest duration ever, 2019 to 2025, demonstrating trust on the part of the Ejido with the company.

Concern grows over proposal to open three mines along Nova Scotia’s longest single waterway that supports both endangered species and ecosystems

A stretch of the St Mary’s River in Nova Scotia, Canada. Photograph: Interfoto/Alamy Stock Photo

by Mike Gaworecki on 30 September 2020

On August 25, Cornerstone Resources (TSX:CGN) held its Annual General Meeting for shareholders, online and out of the reach of the communities and organizations most affected by its activities.

Researchers have shown that some fungi that live symbiotically within the leaves of plants are able to change their biology to decay wood; this new research provides insights into a mysterious form of symbiosis called ​endophytism​. The research was conducted at ​Los Cedros Reserve​, a protected forest in northern Ecuador threatened by mining development.

In a historic ruling, the Valparaíso Court of Justice has nullified the illegal authorization of the “Prefeasibility Mining Drilling for Las Tejas” project and has ordered the Regional Environmental Assessment Service (SEA in Spanish) to implement a process of citizen participation for the Vizcachitas holding company’s environmental evaluation.

On August 19th, many organizations from Cuenca and the surrounding area of the Kimsakocha páramo in Ecuador released a public statement (translated below) regarding a letter sent by Canadian company INV Metals to the Cantonal Council of the municipality of Cuenca (attached here in Spanish).