MiningWatch Canada launched as a pan-Canadian initiative on April 1, 1999, on the heels of a decade that saw an unprecedented global expansion of mining brought about by economic globalization. Indigenous, environmental, social justice, and labour organizations came together with different backgrounds and experiences to respond to threats posed by irresponsible mining practices in Canada and around the world.
We set out to bring people together to exchange experience and expertise, and to work in solidarity to build networks, coalitions, and relationships to challenge the power of the mining industry and the politics that serve it. In the 25 years since, we have worked with dozens of mining-affected communities around the world, intervened in over 200 mining conflicts globally in support of affected communities, written and supported the publication of well over 100 in-depth reports, advocated for legislative change, lodged over 40 key legal actions and complaints, and helped build a movement for corporate accountability in Canada. What have we learned? And where do we go from here?
In this report, we reflect on the reasons MiningWatch was founded, the issues we've tried to tackle over these 25 years, and the important work that still lies ahead.