Il y a 18 years 2 weeks.   Corporate accountability, Domestic legislation, Government accountability.   Mexico Metallica Resources Inc. When Metallica arrived in Cerro de San Pedro in 1995 to build an open pit mine, local residents, human rights organizations and environmental groups formed the Broad Opposition Front (FAO) to halt the operation that they say would destroy their 400-year old town.  The company’s own environmental impact assessment reveals that if built, the mine would require the relocation of the community and would cause “significant adverse” impact to the area’s only aquifer.[1] The latter is of particular concern.  Water is extremely scarce in the State of San Luis Potosi and the National Water Commission of Mexico reports that it is already being exploited at an unsustainable rate.[2]  Local residents, whose property has been adversely affected by Metallica’s exploration activities, have sued the Government of Mexico over its decision to issue the company a permit.[3]     Read more ...

Il y a 18 years 2 weeks.   Corporate accountability, Domestic legislation, Government accountability.   The Philippines Placer Dome Inc. (Placer Dome was acquired by Barrick Gold Corp. in 2006) EDC: US$1.36 million loan [1] ADB: US$40 million loan [2] CPP: $351 million (Barrick) [3] The Marcopper mines are environmental disasters. Placer Dome’s partnership with repressive dictator Ferdinand Marcos enabled the company to mine within a protected area and to use Calancan Bay, the source of livelihood for 12 fishing villages, as a toxic dumping ground for 16 years.[4] Both the Mogpog and Boac Rivers have been literally overrun with toxic waste.[5] Two children died when they were buried in the Mogpog mine waste spill.[6] Studies conducted by the United Nations, government agencies and academics show that communities, who continue to rely on these rivers and on Calancan Bay, are exposed to unsafe levels of environmental toxins.[7] Placer Dome denies responsibility for these environmental disasters [8] and sold its stake in the project in 1997. The Province of Marinduque is currently suing Placer Dome and Barrick in the US, seeking damages for the environmental harm caused by the Marcopper mines.[9]    Read more ...

Il y a 18 years 2 weeks.   Corporate accountability, Domestic legislation, Government accountability.   Indonesia Inco Ltd. EDC: loans of $60 and $200 million[1] CPP: $130 million[2] For thirty years Inco enjoyed a cozy relationship with the repressive and corrupt Suharto regime.[3] Members of the Karonsi’e Dongi and Sorowako indigenous communities lost their most productive agricultural land when the PT Inco mine was built, and they received paltry compensation in return.[4] Mining activity has degraded land and water resources,[5] and initial monitoring suggests that smelter emissions affect air quality in neighbouring communities.[6] Despite apparent efforts by Inco to resolve community claims in recent years, protesting residents report being threatened and intimidated by the Indonesian military and police.[7]   Read more ...

Il y a 18 years 2 weeks.   Corporate accountability, Domestic legislation.   Guyana Cambior Inc. and Golden Star Resources Ltd. EDC: $163 million political risk insurance[1] MIGA: reinsured $55 million CPP: $21 million (Cambior) $14 million (Golden Star)[2] The now infamous, massive tailings dam failure at the Omai mine occurred in August 1995. Millions of cubic metres of heavy metal laden mine waste spilled into the Essequibo River, the country’s main waterway. Large fish kills were reported and the government declared the area a disaster zone. Amerindian indigenous people living along the banks of the Essequibo claimed major fish losses, contamination of freshwater supplies and adverse health effects, as a result of the spill. A class action lawsuit on behalf of affected Guyanese was thrown out by a Quebec court, which denied the Guyanese plaintiffs standing.[3]   Read more ...