Indigenous Rights and Mining – Recent Developments, Opportunities and Challenges

One of MiningWatch’s core areas of work is the promotion of Indigenous rights and recognition of title and the stewardship role that Indigenous people maintain across Canada and internationally. This article offers an overview of recent developments, including hopeful signs but also the considerable...

Ghana's Golden Deception

The streets are hardly paved with gold. Despite producing gold on an industrial scale since 1873 – over nine million ounces’ worth – the place is really not much better off than the rest of the country. Scattered chunks of tarmac are the only evidence that the main road from Tarkwa to Prestea had...

Whose development? Mining, local resistance and development agendas

This is a synopsis of a paper by Catherine Coumans published in: Governance Ecosystems CSR in the Latin American Mining Sector, edited by Julia Sagebien and Nicole Marie Lindsay, in the International Political Economy Series published by Palgrave Macmillan, November 2011.

Spotlight on Port Hope

Robert Del Tredici talks about some of the challenges this Ontario uranium refining town has been facing since the mid-1970's.

 

Tribute to Maisie Sheill

Robert Del Tredici talks about the amazing Maisie Sheill, long-time activist admired by people concerned about the risks related to uranium mining and respected even by her opponents.

Robert Del Tredici Talks About Karl Morgan, Father of Radiation Safety

Robert Del Tredici starts his narrative with an explanation of why Dr. Morgan looks somewhat somber in the portrait taken of him – it is a classic case of having your words taken out of context: what is the safe limit for radiation exposure?

Photographer and Storyteller Robert Del Tredici on the History of Port Radium, Northwest Territories

Robert Del Tredici has travelled the world taking photographs to tell the story of uranium. In this video, he relates a brief history of Port Radium, once known as the "village of widows".

Gordon Edwards of CCNR: should uranium mining be allowed?

Dr. Gordon Edwards gives a brief overview of risks and issues particular to uranium mining, citing regulatory changes that could make it safer. But the question still remains: should uranium mining go ahead at all?

Consultation: a fairly limited concept

Lawyer Murray Klippenstein says consultation for aboriginal peoples facing mining projects is roughly equivalent to city officials showing up at your door to notify you your home is no longer yours. 

Civil Society Organizations Call On Canadian Mining Companies To Respect the Right to Consent in Colombia

Open letter: At a time of increased activity of Canadian companies in Colombia and following implementation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Canadian ecumenical and civil society organizations are calling upon the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá to ensure that Canadian companies respect the...

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Elmtree Mine Update

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has told affected First Nations, local residents and public interest groups that the review of the proposed Elmtree Gold Mine is on hold. As reported in regional media, Castle Resources needs to re-assess the economics of the project before proceeding...

Robert Lovelace Address to Amnesty International, Toronto

Former Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin, Robert Lovelace, gave this address to an Amnesty International gathering in Toronto in October 2011. He provides a brief update of the situation of the Ardoch's confrontation with Frontenac Ventures, and comments on current industry and government approach to...

Tŝilhqot’in National Government: No to Prosperity Mine

In October 2011, representatives of the Tsilhqot'in National Government visited Ottawa to tell elected officials and federal bureaucrats that the "new" proposal by Taseko Mines for their proposed Prosperity Mine was equally as dangerous as the original version turned down in November 2010.

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What Kind of Environmental Assessment for Ontario's "Ring of Fire"?

Unfortunately, neither the Ontario government nor the federal government are taking a leadership role in addressing the need for the fullest possible environmental assessment for the "Ring of Fire" projects. First Nations and public interest groups have been advocating for a strong and...

International Organizations Protest Against the Criminalization of Environmental Defenders in Ecuador

Open Letter: Civil society organizations in the US and Canada have sent a letter to Ecuadorian authorities in protest against the criminalization of indigenous and non-indigenous environmental defenders. Specifically, the letter speaks out against the criminalization of three leaders in the south...

Canadian Mining and the Costs to Workers: Notes on the El Cubo/Local 142 Strike, 2010-2011

Anthropologist Elizabeth Ferry reviews what took place during a recent strike at the El Cubo mine owned by Canada's AuRico Gold (formerly named Gammon Gold) near Guanajuato, Mexico. While the strike has now been resolved and most of the workers are back at work, the strike raised important issues...