The world’s biggest mining convention is coming to Toronto from June 13 to 15 and the industry is greenwashing its destruction like never before. The government and industry have plans to extract “critical minerals” (minerals used for renewable energy infrastructure, such as nickel, copper, and platinum) from the so-called “Ring of Fire” region in northern Ontario to support electric vehicle battery production.
However, while mining companies like Australian giant Wyloo Metals - which now has a sizable stake in the Ring of Fire mineral deposits - boast that they are the solution to the climate crisis, they are actually taking full advantage of the crisis they helped create in the first place.
As a lead up to the PDAC convention, The Friends of the Attawapiskat River, a coalition of impacted community members and allies focused on stewarding and protecting the Attawapiskat River and its watersheds, is hosting a workshop on greenwashing, the PDAC convention, and the impacts of and resistance to mining development in the James Bay Lowlands.
Join us on Sunday, June 12 at 7pm EST!
RSVP here: https://yorku.zoom.us/.../tJIqdOqqqj0vGdJ...
What is the Ring of Fire?
The "Ring of Fire" is the name given to a sizable mineral deposit located in Treaty 9 in the far north of Ontario. Governments are pushing to develop the area, promising roads and jobs in exchange for the destruction of Indigenous lands and an ancient muskeg that is crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change. With a proposed lifespan of over 100 years, this mining project will have direct impacts on the health and environment of future generations. Read more about the Ring of Fire here.
Wyloo Metals is owned by Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest who insists that he is a leader on climate change despite his infamous history of pushing forward contentious projects in environmentally sensitive areas without free prior and informed consent. It is clear that Wyloo and other companies involved in PDAC are attempting to cash in on a green image without actually doing the real work involved in reimagining a future that leaves no one behind.
What is PDAC 2022?
It’s no accident that the PDAC convention takes place in Toronto every year. Over 60% of mining companies worldwide list as Canadian, raising more money on the Toronto Stock Exchange than anywhere else in the world. This same industry is also one of the most egregious offenders when it comes to human rights and environmental abuses.
Every year at PDAC, representatives from mining companies, governments, and other key industry players converge to make deals and ensure they can continue to operate in ways that prioritize profit over the health and well-being of people and our planet. This year is no exception.