The Government of Canada has fundamentally broken its electoral promise of 2015 and its commitment of January 17, 2018 to create an Ombudsperson with: independence from both government and industry; strong investigatory powers to compel documents and witnesses, when necessary, in the course of investigating complaints brought against Canadian mining companies for human rights abuses perpetrated overseas; and the ability to make determinations of fact about whether a Canadian company had caused or contributed to human rights harm. Fifteen months after the commitment to create a strong ombudsperson was made in 2018, the government has created an advisory position to the Minister with a deeply flawed and inadequate mandate.

OTTAWA — Canada's international reputation will be damaged if it doesn't give real power to its new watchdog on responsible corporate conduct, warns a United Nations rights watchdog.

Canada's international reputation will be damaged if it doesn't give real power to its new watchdog on responsible corporate conduct, warns a United Nations rights watchdog.

We analyzed 38 multi-million dollar claims brought by the mining industry using ISDS and other investment protection laws; in over half, communities are fighting to protect Indigenous territory, water, and more.

During the last couple of decades—and particularly during the last ten years—mining companies have filed dozens of claims against Latin American countries before international arbitration panels, demanding compensation for court decisions, public policies and other government measures that they claim reduce the value of their investments. In a majority of these cases, the communities most affected by the mining projects have been actively organizing to defend their territories and natural resources.

(Washington, D.C.) As the World Bank today launches its new ‘Climate-Smart Mining’ facility, organizations from around the world are urging the financial institution to prioritize recycling, circular economy, public transit, and other non-mining solutions as the primary components of its agenda. Efforts should also be made to bolster responsible sourcing.  

VANCOUVER & WASHINGTON D.C. -- Today the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP), on behalf of Earthworks, filed a request for a compliance investigation into Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX: NDM, NYSE American: NAK). The letters to the British Columbia Securities Commission and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission raise serious issues concerning misleading claims about  the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

Today, a letter signed by 227 Guatemalan and international networks and organizations was delivered to Guatemalan authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala. The letter denounces the US$300 million-dollar suit that the U.S. mining company Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) is bringing against the Central American country as a shameless attempt to undermine the will of the communities affected by its project and the decision of the courts.

• Finds that the mining concessions under consideration are illegal for having violated the right to consultation and free, prior and informed consent 
• Recognizes that the community of Tecoltemi is Indigenous, determining that the self-identification of the community as Nahua is sufficient 

On April 22, the court notified the Nahua Indigenous community of Tecoltemi in the municipality of Ixtacamaxtitlán of the decision of the Second District Courthouse responsible for Civil Protection Measures and Administrative, Labour and Federal Processes i

The veil of Canadian corporate secrecy that helps fuel global corruption is slowly lifting, but not fast enough for some critics.

MiningWatch Canada is saddened by tragic news coming out of Guatemala today.