#miningwatch canada

Toronto-based mining company Barrick Gold, whose abysmal record of human rights abuses and environmental degradation are documented at ProtestBarrick.net, is the largest gold mining company in the world. In April 2017, two women affected by Barrick’s Porgera Valley mine in Papua New Guinea visited Toronto to attend the company’s annual general meeting (agm). They came to speak directly to shareholders about sexual violence and murder in their community, to implicate mine employees and security, and to demand compensation and justice.

Everlyn Guape and Joycelyn Mandi of Porgera Women’s Rights Watch Association have been organizing around sexual violence perpetrated by Barrick as well as working in their communities to shift the legal and cultural barriers that prevent women from sharing their stories of sexual violence. Everlyn and Joycelyn were interviewed by Ellie Ade Kur (co-founder of Silence Is Violence, an organization that aims to radically alter the culture of institutional violence on university campuses across Canada), for the program #WeAreUofT on ciut 89.5fm in November of 2017. They invited Sakura Saunders of ProtestBarrick.net and Mining Injustice Solidarity Network and Catherine Coumans of MiningWatch Canada to join the conversation and help connect their experiences at home with the University of Toronto, Peter Munk, and Canadian politics.

Tsilhqot'in National Government - May 8, 2012

March 21, 2012

Dear RAVEN friends and supporters, The ongoing effort to preserve Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) continues in many ways - and there have been a few developments to share. One of the latest efforts is to spread word of this issue to a new, international audience.  Water is everyone's right. And the destruction of a pristine ecosystem and watershed plus the trampling of indigenous rights deserve world-wide attention. TAKING TEZTAN BINY TO THE WORLD: Xeni Gwet'in Chief Marilyn Baptiste recently returned from Geneva where she presented the Tsilhqot'in report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN-CERD) 80th Session. The Tsilhqot'in report focused on the fight to protect Teztan Biny and the surrounding environment and the underlying legal situation which ignores First Nations rights and title. "The Tsilhqot'in are prepared to go to the international level to protect our Nation's rights and title," said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot'in National Government. "In the case of the rebid Prosperity Mine proposal, we feel that we've nearly exhausted every possible avenue to resolve this at the local level, though we will continue to take our fight to the new federal Panel review." Also this week, RAVEN is sponsoring Blaine Grinder of Tl’etinqox (one of the six communities of the Tsilhqot'in Nation)to attend and present at the  World Water Forum 6, in Marseille France.  The conference runs March 12-17, 2012.  In an effort to educate and reach out to a new audience, Blaine is "looking to support others in their fight for clean water, get the message out there internationally to keep the Canadian Government accountable for their actions, and we are also requesting to have speakers during our environmental panel hearings on our behalf, letters and emails to CEAA as well. Also the new Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent, the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, please email on our behalf to tell them to protect Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) and once again make the right decision to reject the new prosperity proposal." Blaine has written an initial blog, and will be adding more soon from his experience at the conference. 

SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TNG AND TML TNG and TML have settled the two court cases (Taseko’s Civil Claim against Chief Marilyn and others, and Chief Marilyn’s Petition challenging the permits) relating to the exploration program. Taseko will commence a reduced scope of work that will be undertaken for the sole purposes of obtaining information required for the Federal environmental assessment of the proposed New Prosperity Project. On this basis, the parties have agreed not to further pursue existing legal actions. TNG and the Tsilhqot’in remain 100% committed to opposing and defeating the New Prosperity Project. TNG issued a news release February 29, 2012 to clarify their position. Stating the nation is determined to fight the "new" Prosperity proposal, the band goes on to say, "However, for the sole purpose of providing information to the federal environmental assessment process, the Tsilhqot'in have agreed to allow TML to carry out a significantly reduced exploration program under strict conditions."

TNG RESPONSE TO TASEKO DEFAMATION LAWSUIT You may have read that Taseko has launched a defamation suit against the Wilderness Committee over statements the environmental group made about the New Prosperity Mine on their (Wilderness Committee’s) website and Facebook page. Many eNGOs consider this claim to be a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) suit.  Friends of the Nemaiah recently reported this suit as indicative of an overly aggressive attitude to those who oppose the New Prosperity project, which has been described as the "wrong mine in the wrong place." In response, Joe Foy of the Wilderness Committee stated, “We have a responsibility to be reasonable and work within the law, with respect to Taseko Mines, but we also have a responsibility as a B.C. environmental group to stand up for our values and speak truths and we believe this mine should not proceed.....The high environmental risk and long-term environmental risks, and impact on human rights in respect to the Tsilhqot’in Nation, we strongly and proudly oppose this mine and will do so with all our abilities.” TNG issued a response in a recent press release, suggesting that Taseko considering suing themselves for similar statements made by them in the first round of Panel hearings: “Perhaps it intends to sue its own Vice President – Brian Battison – who on March 22, 2010, on the opening day of the review hearings, stated: “Developing Prosperity means draining Fish Lake. We wish it were otherwise. We searched hard for a different way. A way to retain the lake and have the mine. But there is no viable alternative. The lake and the deposit sit side by side. It is not possible to have one without the loss of the other.” “Or might it sue its VP of Engineering, Scott Jones, who told those hearings: “What happens to the water quality in Fish Lake, if you try and preserve that body of water with the tailings facility right up against it, is that over time the water quality in Fish Lake will become equivalent to the water quality in the pore water of the tailings facility, particularly when it’s close. You might be able to delay that by moving the tailings facility farther away to Fish Creek South. You may even be able to minimize that, reduce it by mitigation measures that could be applied. But eventually that water quality will change.” “These statements are on the public record, and while TML might not wish the public to be reminded of them, it seems unfair to sue an NGO for raising criticisms similar to those from the independent panel and the company itself.” MiningWatch Canada issued this statement: “Though we regret the actions of Taseko against the Wilderness Committee, it’s honestly not that big a surprise that Taseko would act this way.....Over the course of the environmental assessment we have observed a number of actions that Taseko has taken that, in our view, are not consistent with good practices for building trust and positive relationships with stakeholders.”

FIRST ANNUAL CREATIVELY UNITED FOR THE PLANET FESTIVAL - April 20 - 22 in Victoria, BC If you are in or near Victoria for Earth Week, please come to this amazing new festival!  RAVEN will be participating/benefitting from the gathering of artists who are donating their talents to help the smaller charities who "do the hero work" in our communities.  Brainchild of local award-winning photographer Frances Litman, the festival will start with a Friday night dance party.  Several artists including Ann Mortifee, Robert Batemen, the Soul Shakers, Paul Horn, and the Gettin' Higher Choir will donate their time to raise awareness of the many issues represented by the charities.  Funds raised will go to Sierra Club of BC, Western Wilderness Committee, Dogwood Initiative, Ancient Forest Alliance, the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, BC Land Conservancy, Wild Arc, RAVEN, Oases Conservation Society, Peace Valley Environment Association, Child and Nature Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Victoria, and YES B.C.  RAVEN will have a booth at the event, and our directors and volunteers will be taking turns so please drop by to visit.  This is a great chance for us and all the other worthy groups to "Be seen and be significant!"  Many events are free, and tickets are on sale now for those events that have a cost.  You can find out more at the festival website.

PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING FEDERAL REVIEW HEARINGS The final terms of reference for the CEAA panel are yet to be released.  However, preliminary quotes have been obtained by some of the scienctific analysts who will be called to work on this.  Please consider donating to cover some of these crucial (and costly) reports.  Without them, the Tsilhqot'in will not be able to present the best evidence at the hearing.  Thank you to all those who have recently contributed!  100% of your donations will go toward the costs incurred by the band.   With warm wishes, Susan Smitten, Executive Director

Susan Smitten, Executive Director RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values &Environmental Needs) 2nd floor, 844 Courtney Street Victoria, BC V8W 1C4 t. 250.383.2331 f. 250.380.6560 www.raventrust.com Twitter: @RAVENtrust

MiningWatch Canada - Press Release - March 06, 2012

(Ottawa) MiningWatch Canada regrets that Taseko Mines Ltd. has initiated a lawsuit against the Western Canada Wilderness Committee for allegedly making defamatory and inaccurate comments on Taseko’s  proposed “New Prosperity” project. Having been a vocal critic of the project, we would like to assure Taseko, our allies and potential investors that we will continue to research and openly criticize and oppose this project that continues to face stiff opposition from First Nations, environmental, and social justice groups. The reasons for this opposition are many and have been repeated often. We provide a short list below:

After an extensive review of the original proposed project, including a suite of alternative mine plans, a federal review panel concluded in July of 2010 that the earlier version of the project would have numerous significant adverse effects that could not be mitigated.

MiningWatch’s review of the latest project description for the “New” Prosperity project leads us to conclude that the currently proposed project is not significantly different from an alternative mine development plan discredited in the previous federal environmental assessment process.*

Regardless of the specific choice of mine plan it is anticipated that important sensitive natural habitats and cultural areas will be destroyed or degraded by the mine.

The project continues to be opposed by the potentially affected First Nations, who in turn have the support of regional and national First Nations organizations.

The proposed mine is in an area where the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has a proven, Constitutionally-protected Aboriginal right to hunt and trap, and where the Tŝilhqot’in Nation claims Aboriginal title in litigation that is still before the courts.

Based on these facts, MiningWatch believes that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Phillip Stewart put it well when he stated that the proposed mine  is “the wrong project in the wrong place owned by the wrong company.”

The lawsuit also comes after a successful campaign led by another environmental group, the Sierra Club of BC, that encouraged people to submit comments on the draft guidelines and review the panel’s terms of reference. Over 1,500 people submitted comments using the Sierra Club’s website.

“Though we regret the actions of Taseko against the Wilderness Committee, it’s honestly not that big a surprise that Taseko would act this way” observed Ramsey Hart, MiningWatch’s Canada Program Coordinator. “Over the course of the environmental assessment we have observed a number of actions that Taseko has taken that, in our view, are not consistent with good practices for building trust and positive relationships with stakeholders.” These actions include:

Pressuring the BC government to withdraw from a joint review panel process supported by First Nations and environmental groups and “go it alone” in 2008.

An attempt to have one of the original federal review panel members, Naline Morin, a First Nations woman with a career working in the mining industry, removed on the presumption of bias.

An attempt to prevent showing of the video Blue Gold during the review panel hearings. The video was created for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in order to explain their connection to the land where the project is located, to give voice to their concerns and show images of the area to the panel members.

Hart, who participated in the first review process, further comments that, “We remain committed to speaking out about this project. Based on the information we’ve seen to date, we are confident in our analysis and in the many as-yet unresolved problems we and others have identified.” MiningWatch will continue its collaboration with other NGOs and will continue to work in solidarity with the Tŝilhqot’in and Esketemc First Nations in their opposition.

_____________

* Following MiningWatch’s review of the latest project description for the “New” Prosperity mine, we are of the opinion that the revised project was already considered by the first federal review panel (as alternative Mine Development Plan 2). At page 50 of its report, the original panel stated that it “agrees with the observations made by [Taseko] and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk” than the original “preferred” alternative (namely, the alternative rejected by the original panel in July 2010 and by the Government of Canada in November 2010).

– 30 –

For more information contact:

Ramsey Hart, Canada Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada (613) 298-4745 (cell)

MiningWatch Canada - March 6, 2012

(Ottawa) MiningWatch Canada regrets that Taseko Mines Ltd. has initiated a lawsuit against the Western Canada Wilderness Committee for allegedly making defamatory and inaccurate comments on Taseko’s  proposed “New Prosperity” project. Having been a vocal critic of the project, we would like to assure Taseko, our allies and potential investors that we will continue to research and openly criticize and oppose this project that continues to face stiff opposition from First Nations, environmental, and social justice groups. The reasons for this opposition are many and have been repeated often. We provide a short list below:

After an extensive review of the original proposed project, including a suite of alternative mine plans, a federal review panel concluded in July of 2010 that the earlier version of the project would have numerous significant adverse effects that could not be mitigated.

MiningWatch’s review of the latest project description for the “New” Prosperity project leads us to conclude that the currently proposed project is not significantly different from an alternative mine development plan discredited in the previous federal environmental assessment process.*

Regardless of the specific choice of mine plan it is anticipated that important sensitive natural habitats and cultural areas will be destroyed or degraded by the mine.

The project continues to be opposed by the potentially affected First Nations, who in turn have the support of regional and national First Nations organizations.

The proposed mine is in an area where the Tŝilhqot’in Nation has a proven, Constitutionally-protected Aboriginal right to hunt and trap, and where the Tŝilhqot’in Nation claims Aboriginal title in litigation that is still before the courts.

Based on these facts, MiningWatch believes that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Phillip Stewart put it well when he stated that the proposed mine  is “the wrong project in the wrong place owned by the wrong company.”

The lawsuit also comes after a successful campaign led by another environmental group, the Sierra Club of BC, that encouraged people to submit comments on the draft guidelines and review the panel’s terms of reference. Over 1,500 people submitted comments using the Sierra Club’s website.

“Though we regret the actions of Taseko against the Wilderness Committee, it’s honestly not that big a surprise that Taseko would act this way” observed Ramsey Hart, MiningWatch’s Canada Program Coordinator. “Over the course of the environmental assessment we have observed a number of actions that Taseko has taken that, in our view, are not consistent with good practices for building trust and positive relationships with stakeholders.” These actions include:

Pressuring the BC government to withdraw from a joint review panel process supported by First Nations and environmental groups and “go it alone” in 2008.

An attempt to have one of the original federal review panel members, Naline Morin, a First Nations woman with a career working in the mining industry, removed on the presumption of bias.

An attempt to prevent showing of the video Blue Gold during the review panel hearings. The video was created for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation in order to explain their connection to the land where the project is located, to give voice to their concerns and show images of the area to the panel members.

Hart, who participated in the first review process, further comments that, “We remain committed to speaking out about this project. Based on the information we’ve seen to date, we are confident in our analysis and in the many as-yet unresolved problems we and others have identified.” MiningWatch will continue its collaboration with other NGOs and will continue to work in solidarity with the Tŝilhqot’in and Esketemc First Nations in their opposition.

_____________

* Following MiningWatch’s review of the latest project description for the “New” Prosperity mine, we are of the opinion that the revised project was already considered by the first federal review panel (as alternative Mine Development Plan 2). At page 50 of its report, the original panel stated that it “agrees with the observations made by [Taseko] and Environment Canada that Mine Development Plans 1 and 2 would result in greater long-term environmental risk” than the original “preferred” alternative (namely, the alternative rejected by the original panel in July 2010 and by the Government of Canada in November 2010).

– 30 –

For more information contact:

Ramsey Hart, Canada Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada (613) 298-4745 (cell)

Earthworks - February 28, 2012

Washington/Ottawa (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

Earthworks/MiningWatch Canada name endangered waters and companies responsible

"In its August 2011 project description, Taseko Mines Ltd. proposed to the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to reclassify Little Fish Lake and Fish Creek in British Columbia as a tailings impoundment for its proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine. The watershed is home to grizzly bear and highly productive rainbow trout, and is an important cultural area for the Tsilhqot’in People. After being refused environmental approvals for the past 17 years, the company has re-applied with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency with plans to build a tailings impoundment to dispose of 480 million tons of tailings and 240 million tons of waste rock in the basin of the creek and lake, burying the ecosystems under a hundred meters of waste."