Joint news release with Ecojustice: Following a Federal Court decision on September 25, 2007, the future of the proposed Red Chris Mine - a huge acid-generating mine proposed for north-western British Columbia � has been put in doubt. The precedent-setting decision upholds the fundamental right of Canadians to be consulted during the environmental assessment of large mines on the comprehensive study list.
2007/10/04
The Kemess North Mine Joint Review Panel has concluded that the mine "in its present form" would not be in the public interest. The Panel says that any economic and social benefits from the project are outweighed by its long-term risks to the environment and its social and cultural impacts on Aboriginal people. It has recommended to federal and provincial environment Ministers that the project not be permitted.
2007/09/18
A report on the activities of Goldcorp around the world (PDF, 1.4 MB): "Given the rapid pace of mergers and acquisitions that Goldcorp has made over the last few years, it is too early to see how the new expanded company will behave in the real world, and what kind of social and environmental responsibility it will assume."
2007/09/13
Takla First Nation has informed the British Columbia Minister of Mines and the Minister of Lands that as of Wednesday, September 12, 2007, access to parts of its Territory will be blocked. Takla states it has been left with no other options to address the gold-rush that is taking place throughout the Territory and to protect Takla�s rights and Territory.
2007/09/11
MiningWatch Canada, as part of a multinational coalition of environmental and human rights organizations, is calling on Glencairn Gold to disclose information about suspected cyanide and metals pollution from its Bellavista gold mine in Costa Rica. Glencairn shut down the mine in late July, following heavy rains that caused substantial earth movements, and has reported in financial statements that the mine "may remain closed indefinitely".
2007/09/11
Since June 28, 2007, members of the Shabot Obaadjiwan and Ardoch Algonquin First Nations have been occupying a staging site for uranium exploration on their traditional territory. The Algonquins have never signed a treaty. See the article for contact details to get more information.
2007/08/31
On July 9, 2007, the Turkish State Council granted an injunction closing the Kisladag mine near the city of Usak in Turkey. The injunction will be in place until a decision is reached on the legality of the mine's Environmental Impact Assessment. In granting the injunction, the court found that continuing operation of the open pit heap-leach mine, which has been in operation for over a year, would cause "irreparable harm".
2007/07/26
This analysis was undertaken following the publication of two letters accusing MiningWatch Canada �genocide� and of keeping the Shuar people of Southeast Ecuador in poverty. The letters make special reference to Corriente Resources� �Mirador� project. Although the letters are libellous and the people who wrote them obviously misunderstood the work of MiningWatch Canada, we felt that it was necessary to attempt to better understand the context from which these letters came.
2007/07/18
Across Honduras, major demonstrations took place on July 17, 2007, when six road blockades were erected to protest the possible advancement of watered down reforms to the General Mining Law. Although the demonstrations were peaceful, and included priests, peasants and journalists, police violently removed people blockading in the 6 de Mayo neighborhood and in Siguatepeque.
2007/07/25
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is visiting Chile to mark the tenth anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations. Representatives from Chilean civil society asked the Canadian embassy in Chile to facilitate a visit between the Prime Minister and communities affected by Canadian mining companies. Their request has been denied.
2007/07/17
