MiningWatch Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Rodrigue Turgeon as Canada Program Co-Lead, starting today.

Rodrigue is a lawyer and an engaged citizen with an impressive track record of environmental advocacy and solidarity with Indigenous peoples that will greatly contribute to the mission of MiningWatch.

Originally from Abitibi-Témiscamingue, one of Canada’s most well-known mining regions, Rodrigue understands firsthand the many social and environmental impacts of the mining industry.

MiningWatch is pleased to welcome Alexandra Kazakova as Interim Fundraising and Operations Coordinator, replacing Diana Martin while she is on maternity leave. Alexandra will oversee and lead all aspects of the fundraising portfolio and plans, as well as institutional operations.

A good news update on December 22, 2021: After a massive public outcry, the province of Chubut has repealed last week's 14-11 vote to allow for open-pit mining in certain areas of the province. We celebrate this impressive display of people power, while lifting up the many voices of those who have already said a clear 'NO' to mining in the province. Stay tuned for further updates.

A good news update on December 22, 2021: After a massive public outcry, the province of Chubut has repealed last week's 14-11 vote to allow for open-pit mining in certain areas of the province. We celebrate this impressive display of people power, while lifting up the many voices of those who have already said a clear 'NO' to mining in the province. While we continue to denounce the use of excessive force against peaceful protestors, we celebrate this moment together with our partners in Argentina as a win for the movement to protect land and life from mining without consent. Stay tuned for further updates.

On December 15, the Chubut provincial legislature, in a surprise session and ignoring citizen demands, voted to allow open-pit mining to take place in the Patagonian region of Argentina. Pushed through amidst concerns about corruption and Canadian mining lobbying, the legislature voted 14 to 11 in favour of a mine zoning bill (bill 128/20) that allows open-pit mining in the plateau of the province, in the departments of Telsen and Gastre. Communities immediately marched peacefully and have since faced police repression, including multiple arrests and the firing of rubber bullets.

Written by Caleb Fotheringham

Odyssey’s research vessel used for mineral exploration work in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Zealand. SUPPLIED/21122027

by Elizabeth Claire Alberts on 17 December 2021

Dear Friend,

What emerged from COP26 was a fragile, global consensus to move away – in part – from fossil fuels. But alarmingly, the international conference on climate change led to few agreements on exactly how or how fast. 

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) pushes through a controversial in-person meeting despite a global spike in Covid-19 cases. Meanwhile, the company behind the rush for the ISA to finalise deep sea mining regulations, The Metals Company (TMC) sees its prospects fade.

On the 12th anniversary of the murder of environmental defender Mariano Abarca, during an emotional ceremony in the sacred land of Acteal, the Abarca family presented the third Mariano Abarca Environmental Defence Award to the Civil Society Las Abejas de Acteal in recognition of their peaceful struggle for life and territory. The Mariano Abarca Environmental Defence Award recognizes, year after year, a community, collective or organization in the State of Chiapas, Mexico for their efforts to defend the rights of nature and people, and recognizes those who work towards dignity and who remind us that there’s hope and that other worlds are possible. Thirty-five national and international organizations endorse this award.