If the state does not defend citizens against the violence and destruction of mining, people and communities must defend themselves, writes Raul Zibechi. And in Peru and Colombia that's exactly what they are doing, re-asserting indigenous control of the land and its resources.
Community self-defense against mining mega-projects Raul Zibechi | 8th August 2014 News Indigenous Peoples Mining Community Colombia Peru maqui-maqui-cut.jpg If the state does not defend citizens …
Global mining giant Rio Tinto markets itself as a 'sustainable company', writes Kemal Özkan. But serious failures in its reporting, and its attempt to hold an Australian indigenous group to ransom, reveal a very different truth: the company is driven by a reckless pursuit of profit at any cost.
Rio Tinto's 'sustainable mining' claims exposed Kemal Özkan | 30th July 2014 News Mining Corporations Sustainability Australia Indigenous Peoples rt_rally-cut.jpg Global mining giant Rio Tinto …
Left-wing, progressive politicians hold sway across Latin America, writes Benjamin Dangl. But defying their own 'green' rhetoric, they are committed to mining and other environmentally damaging development. Now they face growing resistance from small farmers and indigenous peoples.
Despite 'progressive' politics, Latin America's indigenous veins are bleeding Benjamin Dangl | 1st May 2014 News Peru Argentina Uruguay Brazil Ecuador Bolivia Mining Indigenous Peoples Politics …
Ecuador is facing an unprecedented confrontation between a 'progressive' left-leaning government and a national coalition of indigenous peoples determined to stop vast oil and mining projects taking place on their community land and villages.
Ecuador's tribes declare 'national mobilization' against oil and mining David Dene | 24th May 2014 News Mining Ecuador Oil Indigenous Peoples Economics Politics yasuni-cut.jpg Worth saving? Yasuni …
The unregulated 'artisanal' gold mining sector is a massive source of mercury pollution and other environmental damage, writes Greg Valerio. But now the Fairtrade Gold initiative is helping miners to reform their practices with equipment, training and a hefty gold price premium. All it needs now is for consumers to demand Fairtrade Gold in all their jewellery purchases.
Fairtrade Gold - helping miners take the mercury out of gold jewellery Greg Valerio | 12th November 2014 News Mining Green Economy fairgold-cut.jpg The unregulated 'artisanal' gold mining sector is a …
Ten years after promises of 'no mining' in Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve, a $5 billion diamond mine opens a few miles from a Bushman village. Elsewhere in the Reserve, fracking is under way. And President Ian Khama, a director of Conservation International, denounces the Bushmen as 'poachers' and evicts them from their land.
Botswana government lies exposed as $5bn diamond mine opens on Bushman land Oliver Tickell | 4th September 2014 News Indigenous Peoples Botswana Hunting Mining Fracking kalahari-diamond-mine-cut.jpg …
As gold miners face eviction from Yanomami territory in the Brazilian Amazon, a rising tempo of death threats have been directed against the shaman Davi Kopenawa following his successful campaign.
Brazil: death threats stalk Amazon shaman Davi Kopenawa The Ecologist | 30th July 2014 News Brazil Indigenous Peoples Forests Mining davi-parliament-cut.jpg As gold miners face eviction from Yanomami …
OceanaGold is demanding $300 million in compensation from impoverished El Salvador after a mining permit was refused to safeguard a clean drinking water source that millions of people depend on, writes Pete Dolack. The sum does not even represent losses - but profits the company claims it would have made.
A mining company's $300 million attack on El Salvador's water Pete Dolack | 5th October 2014 News Mining Finance El Salvador lago-suchitlan-es-cut.jpg OceanaGold is demanding $300 million in …
Students, workers and civil rights activists gathered in their hundreds today in Delhi to protest at the mining company Vedanta, and the Indian government's support of highly destructive mining projects in forests and on indigenous peoples' lands.
India - 'Foil Vedanta' protests erupt in Delhi The Ecologist | 31st July 2014 News Mining India Indigenous Peoples Forests Pollution Corporations protestphotovedanta-cut.jpg Students, workers and …
Two huge open pit mines in northern Norway are on the verge of approval, writes Tina Andersen Vågenes - even though they would dump hundreds of millions of tonnes of tailings in fjords where wild salmon spawn. Scientists are voicing serious concerns, and protests are growing, but government and mining companies appear determined to push the projects forward regardless.
'Acutely toxic' mine waste threatens the death of Norway's fjords Tina Andersen Vågenes | 28th November 2014 News Mining Norway Corporations Waste Pollution Fishing Oceans …
As the Arctic ice retreats, a fragile but resource-rich landscape replete with oil, minerals, fish and islands is opening up, writes Conn Hallinan. A new land-rush is on, and it could all lead to war. But it can be avoided provided states respect the rule of law and build on existing regimes of cooperation to protect the precious Arctic environment.
Arctic chill, red hot politics - as the ice melts, a new Cold War can still be avoided Conn Hallinan | 25th November 2014 News Arctic Politics Oceans Oil Mining Law arctic-walrus-cut.jpg As the …
A remote corner of Sweden's Arctic forest has become a battleground, writes Alex Forss, over proposals for a huge iron mine that would occupy a key reindeer migration route. And with their cultural and economic survival under threat, it's a battle the Sami cannot afford to lose.
The resistance is growing! Sami reindeer herders fight giant iron mine Alec Forss | 12th June 2014 News Mining Indigenous Peoples Sweden Forests sami-flag.jpg A remote corner of Sweden's Arctic …
Sanctions against Russian natural resource tycoons could be good for the environment, writes eco-campaigner Konstantin Rubakhin - if only they would target the right people. But so far, the EU has been turning a blind eye to powerful Kremlin insiders with an open licence to pollute and destroy.
Western sanctions could help Russia's environment - but will they? Konstantin Rubakhin | 19th September 2014 Comment Russia EU Mining Oil Finance Law konstantin-rubakhin-cut.jpg Sanctions against …