Canadian Ambassador to Guatemala Accused of Misinformation - Open Letter to the Canadian Government

To Whom It May Concern:

We, the undersigned, write with deep concern over the recent conduct of Canadian ambassador to Guatemala, Kenneth Cook. Ambassador Cook has been misinforming people about the work of Canadian doctoral student Steven Schnoor, who has been in Central America for several...

Mining Association Responds to Critique of Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities

The Mining Association of Canada has posted a response to our critique of the Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities. Unfortunately, while it claims that the Kit was designed to identify both opportunities and risks, the response fails to address the substance of the issues we identified...

Billions, Millions, and the Peasant

by Albert Koehl

What do poor farmers (campesinos) in Guatemala’s western highlands have in common with the former CEO of a multi-billion dollar Canadian gold mining company? Quite a bit, actually, when the former CEO is Rob McEwen and the issue is a battle against cavalier corporate decision...

Canadian Mining Company Set to Destroy Mexican Heritage Village

Mike Boylan visited the community of Cerro de San Pedro, San Luis Potosí, Mexico on November 7 and 8, 2006, where the unlicensed activities of Minera San Xavier, a subsidiary of Metallica Resources, threaten to destroy the community. He witnessed and documented rapid activity of heavy machinery in...

Uranium Mining in Canada – Past and Present

Background notes for a presentation by Jamie Kneen to the Indigenous World Uranium Summit, November 30-December 1, 2006, in Window Rock, Arizona, Navajo Nation Territory.

Follow Up Letter to Skye Resources re: Fenix project

Ian Austin, President and CEO
Skye Resources
Suite 1203-700 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6C 1G8

Dear Mr. Austin,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter of 28 September 2006 regarding the activities of Skye Resources/CGN in El Estor, Guatemala. I appreciate...

Response from Skye Resources re: Fenix project

Dear Ms Henderson,

Thank you for taking the time to send us your thoughts and concerns regarding the Fenix Project operated by Compañía Guatemalteca de Niquel S.A. (CGN), whose major shareholder is Skye Resources of Vancouver, Canada.

The people of Skye Resources are committed to open and...

Uranium Mining and its Impact on Laguna Pueblo: A Study Guide for an Interdisciplinary Unit

This study guide was developed by Philip Sittnick for the Laguna Middle School in Laguna, New Mexico. It's designed to help students in grade 7 understand the impacts of uranium mining based on the experience of their community and their families with the the Jackpile/Paguate uranium mine. It...

Beneath the Surface: Aboriginal Rights and Mining Law in British Columbia

Published by EAGLE (Environmental-Aboriginal Guardianship through Law and Education) and the Environmental Mining Council of BC. Available here as a PDF (1.7 MB - 299 pages).

From the Introduction:

These materials have been prepared by EAGLE for use at EAGLE’s Education Program workshops, and for...

Uranium Hype Hits Indigenous Opposition Globally, Provokes Conflict in the North

The Indigenous World Uranium Summit

The Indigenous World Uranium Summit, held in Window Rock, Arizona, on November 30 to December 2, 2006, was a vindication of the Navajo Nation’s ban on uranium mining in Navajo Nation Territory and a regrouping of Indigenous opposition to uranium mining globally...

Communities Divided Over Uranium Exploration in the Outaouais

People who live and work in the Outaouais region of Québec are facing an onslaught of exploration for uranium.

A divisive debate ensued at a community meeting in Fort Colougne called by Aldershot Resources Ltd. on December 15, 2006 – a Friday night just before Christmas. Representatives from the...

Why is Québec the mining industry’s favourite province?

The Fraser Institute considers Québec to be the mining jurisdiction with the most favourable mineral and policy potential in the world.

  • In Québec all mineral rights are reserved to the State, and anyone can stake mineral claims on an internet-based map system on a first-come first served...

This Is What Development Looks Like: Skye Resources and Land Reoccupation in Guatemala

by Dawn Paley

El Estor, Guatemala -- Famed for having hosted an INCO nickel mining project from the early sixties until the mid eighties, Guatemala’s El Estor is back in the spotlight. Three years ago, Vancouver-based Skye Resources took up the reins of its predecessors, promising another...

Mining Investors and the Tax System

Many of the junior mining companies creating havoc in communities these days have no intention of developing a mine, and their investors don’t care, but these companies are raising millions in equity to keep their exploration programs going.

This is possible because of two federal programs: Canadia...

Community Leaders from Indonesia, Guatemala, New Caledonia, and Canada Discuss Struggles Against Inco

A unique opportunity presented itself as a result of the Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Extractive Sector in Developing Countries. On November 13th, 2006, MiningWatch Canada brought together a panel in Montreal made up of community leaders from Indonesia, Guatemala, New...