Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC)

Saami communities protest against mining on their lands in the Kalix River Valley

Kailash — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:11:10 +0000

The Saami reindeer herding communities of Girjas and Laevas in Northern Sweden have recently expressed their firm opposition over Australian backed Kiruna Iron AB’s plans to mine in the Kalix River Valley.

Largest abandoned uranium mine cleanup on Navajo Nation announced

Kailash — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:39:05 +0000

RENO, NV – The U.S.

Hundred Arrested in Ottawa Tar Sands Protest

Kailash — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:31:00 +0000

Ottawa, ON – Hundreds have been arrested on Parliament Hill while protesting the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The protests have been organized by First Nations and environmental organizations, and are endorsed by Dene Nation.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus has joined the protests, and spoke to the crowd of one thousand about the impacts of tar sands developments on Dene.

“Toxic tailings ponds already cover hundreds of square kilometres , and are growing by the minute,” Erasmus said.

GDAE Releases Report on Mining Activities in Guatemala: “Searching for Gold in the Highlands of Guatemala: Economic Benefits and

Kailash — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:20:32 +0000

The Marlin mine in Guatemala, owned and operated by the Canadian company Goldcorp, has been a source of local conflict and international controversy for nearly a decade. Mining is a major issue in the September 2011 Guatemalan elections, and continues to be a controversial topic in local politics.

First Nation says Consultation Laws are a Matter of Community Assertion

Kailash — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:21:02 +0000

SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION – A push towards a consultation law is high on the agenda of a First Nation Council as it winds down a 2-year set of priorities in the next two months.

On Monday night Serpent River First Nation Chief and Council unanimously endorsed the codification of a Consultation Law and the development of a Free, Prior and Informed Consent Policy Framework.

Located on the northern shores of Lake Huron, the territory of Serpent River is the homeland to over 12 hundred Anishnabek and their families.

Extraction of natural resources a key cause of abuse of indigenous peoples’ rights

Kailash — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:06:30 +0000

GENEVA – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, warned Wednesday that indigenous communities’ right to self-determination in the political, social and economic spheres is being threatened by the current model for advancing with natural resource extraction.

“Natural resource extraction and other major development projects in or near indigenous territories are one of the most significant sources of abuse of the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide,” said Mr. Anaya in his latest report* to the UN Human Rights Council.

Ecuador charges indigenous activists with terrorism

Kailash — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:01:10 +0000

Indigenous and environmental activists opposing mining projects face terrorism charges in Ecuador.

Anglo American in thick of great Alaskan Pebble mine debate

Kailash — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:28:38 +0000

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (miningweekly.com) – That Anglo American is in the thick of a great Alaskan mining debate was quickly apparent upon my arrival here, with advertisements in Alaskan business magazines providing ready affirmation.

At issue is whether or not the South African-created but London-domiciled diversified mining major, together with the Canada-based Northern Dynasty mining concern, should exploit the large copper, gold and molybdenum porphyry in the Bristol Bay region of south-west Alaska, near Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark.

A full-page advertisement in one of the Alaskan magazi

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples should be fully implemented

Kailash — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:17:14 +0000

Four years ago today the United Nations acted on almost 30 years of advocacy by Indigenous Peoples around the world and adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda says progress on its implementation has been slow.

Commissioner Gooda said the Declaration, which recognises the fundamental rights enjoyed by Indigenous peoples around the world, had been opposed by Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada when first adopted but was formally endorsed by Australia on 3 April 2009.

“Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islan

Mining should not come ahead of clean water

Kailash — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:04:53 +0000

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.-Mining Association of Canada President Pierre Gratton correctly noted in last week’s issue of The Hill Times that mining has the potential to be a major driver of Canada’s future economy and prosperity.

However, successfully profiting from the global need for metals and minerals will involve great responsibility and require careful planning and reforms at home. While there are some hopeful signs, Canada has a long way to go before it has an industry of which it can truly be proud.

Here in resource-rich British Columbia, the situation is disheartening.