1.
Human rights violation. Canadian mining companies operate their mines outside Canada
and are accused of human rights violations. External actors often influence the
absence of adequate mining laws, especially in South America, causing violent
deaths and severe injuries to mineworkers. For example, 5,000 persons will be
displaced by the activities of Gran Colombia Gold. In addition, there is disregard
for the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. These companies' attitudes are
like those of the colonial era. They are only concerned about earning money, with no
space for human rights. The Canadian Government needs to make some strict laws and
implement them to fix this problem. In the long run, this attitude will cause
human migration towards North America.
2.
Poverty. The mining
projects change the sources of income and livelihood, resulting in increased
poverty. These companies buying lands from the farmers, sometimes by force, are
taking those lands with minimal money. These people have nowhere to go or no
other way to earn money. They had to join the mining company to survive, and
though the payment was very low, they couldn’t have a healthy life with their
family. Because of their poor lifestyle and poverty, their health condition is
in danger of malnutrition.
3.
Serious environmental harm concerning air, water, and ground pollution, whether actual or potential. Human
health in that area is in danger. Polluted and contaminated air and water
directly harm their health. This ecological condition also directly affects the
livestock and agricultural livelihoods of communities, such as decreased water
for irrigation, deaths of animals, and contamination of ground, water, and air.
The productivity of the soil is in danger, which also economically affects the
local farmers.
4.
Socio-economic conflicts: 148 socio-economic conflicts in Latin America because of
Canadian Mining Operations. For example, irrigators of Valle de Huasco signed
an agreement with Barrick Gold, stipulating payment of US$ 60 million over 20
years as compensation for harm to the image of the area’s agricultural products
because of the gold deposits. In time, that money divided the irrigator group,
as there were complaints of corruption in managing the funding.
5.
Cultural harm.
Before the mining started, the areas were mainly agricultural land. The
communities and their culture were based on agriculture. After mining started,
their forced labour and abusive behaviour changed the total culture of that
area. People are not happy mentally, physically, or economically. They are losing
their cultural activities, peace, and everything related.
6.
There is a violation of various rights, including the right to life, humane treatment,
health, and property of the neighbouring communities. It looks like a colonial process
is going on.
7.
Criminalization of rights advocacy and closure of institutional spaces for dialogue,
in addition to the exacerbation of violence, threats, harassment, deaths and
serious injuries. Not only the mining company but also the community is
involved in different criminal activities because of the cultural change.
8.
Aggressive police behaviour: The rich mining companies use police to continue their
violations. For example, in Panama, Penonomé police anti-riot units entered the
camps on May 26, 2009, without any prior attempts at dialogue with protesters;
officers threw teargas canisters at those present and arrested 19 farmers, who
were beaten and jailed in the town of Coclesito. In Oaxaca state, Mexico, 23
persons were detained in May 2009 after evicting residents who had spoken out
publicly against groundwater contamination in the area. On November 27, 2009,
Mariano Abarca Roblero was murdered after receiving threats and after being
arrested in August of that year for participating in peaceful protests against
the project.
The Canadian embassy failed to respond to complaints about these acts. The
Canadian government provides broad support to the extractive sector without
requiring sufficient guarantees from Canadian companies that they will not harm
the environment or cause human rights violations abroad.