New Report Highlights Deep Sea Nodule Mining Danger to Pacific Ocean and Island Nations

A new report analysing over 250 peer reviewed scientific articles finds that the impacts of mining deep sea polymetallic nodules would be extensive, severe, and last for generations, causing essentially irreversible species loss.

Source
Deep Sea Mining Campaign – MiningWatch Canada

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms Death of Zombie “New Prosperity” Mine Project

Submitted by Jamie on
Special Blog Type

In a victory for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, but also for the integrity of environmental assessment processes, the Supreme Court of Canada today dismissed Taseko Mines Ltd.’s application for leave to appeal last year’s Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) ruling about the federal assessment of Taseko’s proposed New Prosperity copper-gold mine in Tŝilhqot’in territory in cent

COVID-19 in the Ecuadorian Amazon: Over 100 Organizations Show Solidarity With Indigenous Shuar Arutam, Repudiate Mining Companies for Putting Communities at Grave Risk

More than 100 organizations from around the world have signed onto an open letter to show their support for the Shuar Arutam People (PSHA) in the Ecuadorian Amazon as they confront a possible COVID-19 outbreak in their territories. The initiative responds to the PSHA’s urgent demands of the Ecuadorian government following the death of two people whose close relatives traveled to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) mining fair in Toronto, Canada in March, 2020. In March, the PSHA denounced the company for bringing seven Shuar community members to Toronto in supposed representation of the communities, despite not being duly elected representatives of the Shuar Arutam People's Assembly. The PSHA condemned the delegation as part of efforts to undermine their categorical rejection of mining in their territory. Upon the delegation’s return to Ecuador, two of their immediate family members died with COVID-19-like symptoms. At least 8 other members of Shuar communities are also showing symptoms.

Source
Accion Ecologica – Amazon Watch – Caminantes Ecuador – Fundacion ALDEA – IPS-Global Economy Project – London Mining Network – MiningWatch Canada – Pueblo Shuar Arutam – Yes to Life, No to Mining

COVID-19: Canadian Mining Company Endangers Workers and Communities in Peru

A new report highlights the lack of transparency and action by Canadian mining company HudBay Minerals in the face of a COVID-19 outbreak at its Constancia mine in Peru as part of a broader pattern of irresponsible behaviour.

Highlights of the report

Source
Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras (Cusco) – MiningWatch Canada

Teck Under Fire as Fears of COVID-19 Outbreak Sweep Chilean Mining Town

(Ottawa) Tensions are high as the population of Andacollo in Chile nervously awaits COVID-19 test results from a worker at Teck’s Carmen de Andcaollo mine.

MiningWatch was informed Wednesday evening that a worker at Vancouver-based Teck’s copper mine had been exposed to COVID-19 after his son tested positive for the virus. According to local sources, the worker unknowingly passed a full shift inside the mine after having been exposed to his son, and has now been isolated awaiting his test results.

Source
MiningWatch Canada

Xinka People of Guatemala, Thousands of International Supporters Demand Answers from Pan American Silver

Canadian mining company Pan American Silver is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Vancouver, with a small group of company insiders in the room and limited phone access for others. But despite the challenges of being heard, Guatemalan communities are raising serious questions about the company's acquisition of the Escobal mine with its 2019 purchase of Tahoe Resources and about social division the company is sowing by intervening in communities during the global health pandemic.

Source
Union of B.C Indian Chiefs – Xinka Parliament – MiningWatch Canada – Earthworks – Students for Mining Justice (UBC)

Barrick Gold AGM 2020 – CEO Mark Bristow Responds to Questions about North Mara Mine in Tanzania

Submitted by Catherine on
Special Blog Type

On May 5, 2020, Barrick Gold held its annual general meeting (AGM) online. I attended via a proxy and raised questions regarding human rights abuses at the company's North Mara mine in Tanzania.

Barrick Gold AGM 2020 – CEO Mark Bristow Responds to Questions about Porgera Mine

Submitted by Catherine on
Special Blog Type

On May 5, 2020, Barrick Gold held its annual general meeting (AGM) online. I attended (as a proxy shareholder) along with McDiyan Robert Yapari of Akali Tange Association in Porgera, Papua New Guinea, and raised questions regarding human rights abuses at the company’s Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea.

Barrick Gold AGM Faces Continued Failure on Human Rights

No social licence and no permit extension in Papua New Guinea; legal action, again, on behalf of victims in Tanzania

As Barrick Gold executives once again face their shareholders, investors should be asking themselves why this company is continuously embroiled in conflict and legal action involving its deeply harmful relationships with the indigenous communities that surround its mines.

May Day COVID-19 Report

Submitted by Kirsten on
Special Blog Type

In honour of May Day this year, MiningWatch Canada has assembled the following summary of reported COVID-19 outbreaks affecting mine workers at Canadian owned/operated mines across the world.

The list is not exhaustive, and relies heavily on media-reported outbreaks (as of April 30). The numbers provided here are likely lower than the actual number of cases.

How many of these infections could have been prevented had companies taken proactive action to protect their workforces?

How many more workers will die as a result of the virus?

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