Video: Hearing on Rio Tinto’s Michigan Haul Road
February 11, 2010
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Eagle Mine, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, Michigan, economy, public land, water pollution, wildlife | Tagged: civil disobedience, Eagle Mine, Kennecott, Law, Michigan, public land, Rio Tinto, water pollution, wildlife | 
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Ontario Chief Staves Off Mining Company
September 3, 2009The chief of an isolated First Nation, in northern Ontario, has single-handedly staved off Platinex, a company attempting to explore for platinum on land claimed by the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI). Read the rest of this entry »
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Protect the Earth 2009: Part 1
August 5, 2009by Michele Bourdieu
Marquette, Michigan — Last weekend, Aug. 1-2, “Protect the Earth 2009,” the second annual Great Lakes Community Gathering of people opposed to metallic sulfide and uranium mining in the
Utah activist, Tim DeChristopher, presents at Northern Michigan University on August 1
Upper Peninsula and nearby Great Lakes states, offered workshops with expert speakers; musical entertainment; Native American dance, drumming and spiritual ceremonies; and a two-mile walk to Eagle Rock. This Native American sacred site is a proposed target of the “Eagle” Project, Kennecott-Rio Tinto’s potential metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains near Marquette.
For the complete article by Michele Bourdieu, please visit Keweenaw Now.
See below for an excellent speech given by Susan LaFernier, Vice Chair of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, at Eagle Rock on August 2.
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Community Unifies to Defend Their Rights: The Success of the KI6
December 31, 2008By Gabriel Caplett
In February 2006, a small crowd of mostly children and elderly members from the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, (KI) or Big Trout Lake, First Nation peacefully blockaded a winter access road used by the Platinex mining company and decommissioned the company’s exploration camp, dismantling buildings and packing their drilling equipment. In response to the blockade the drilling crew fled the area by plane. Despite offers to return the equipment to the company, Platinex did not contact KI for its equipment. Following this action, the KI chief sat at the site and protected the territory for about a month until it became apparent that Platinex wasn’t returning anytime soon. Read the rest of this entry »
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Protect the Earth Summit Considered a Success
August 27, 2008by Gabriel Caplett
Over 200 concerned individuals from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario and Michigan attended Marquette County’s Protect the Earth Summit on the first weekend in August. Saturday events included workshops on treaty rights, successful grassroots opposition to metallic sulfide mining projects and a presentation on the polluted Flambeau Mine, in Wisconsin. A rally was held, at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park that featured musicians and speakers, including Fred Rydholm, Laura Furtman, Al Gedicks, Bobby Bullet, Victor McManemy and Jim St. Arnold, as well as traditional Anishinaabe shawl and hoop dancing, performed by Megan Tucker. On Sunday, over 120 people walked to
Eagle Rock from the Yellow Dog River and held a rally and sacred eagle feather ceremony at the site of the proposed Kennecott Eagle Mine. The event was sponsored by Yellow Dog Summer, Keepers of the Water and Students Against Sulfide Mining.
Citizens from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan Walk to Eagle Rock, on the Yellow Dog Plains; Photo courtesy Teresa Bertossi
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Grassroots Success Against Potentially Dangerous Mines in the US
June 25, 2008By Gabriel Caplett
As the Upper Peninsula battles against a metallic sulfide mining district, citizens have turned to neighboring Wisconsin as an example of successful grassroots opposition to unsustainable mining.
Ironically, Kennecott has also found inspiration in Wisconsin. The company has showcased its now-closed Flambeau Mine in attempts to demonstrate that it is capable of operating a successful sulfide mine in the UP.
Kennecott, and the industry as a whole, has learned its lesson in losing to grassroots mining opponents in Wisconsin and around the world. Read the rest of this entry »
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Success at Sharbot Lake: Ontario’s Committed Grassroots Movement to Stop Uranium Mining
June 25, 2008by Gabriel Caplett
Globally, grassroots movements are underway demanding companies obtain “free, prior and informed consent” from local communities before state approval of exploration and mining permits. The concept has proven to be a major threat to transnational mining companies that rely on government handouts of public land and access to private and indigenous land in order to operate.
Rather than obtain community consent and eliminate mine pollution in sensitive areas, the mining industry has responded with the Global Mining Initiative, originally introduced by Rio Tinto. The GMI entails a massive global public relations effort to frame mining operations as synonymous with sustainable development.
John Bray, research head at Control Risks, the world’s largest corporate risk consultant, advises his clients that maintaining “dialogue” with the opposition ensures that ‘you win…If you meet a group that will not compromise, then you have a problem.’
In neighboring Ontario, indigenous First Nations and non-native private property owners are disregarding industry rhetoric while waging a successful battle to prevent uranium exploration and mining on indigenous, public and private land. Read the rest of this entry »
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Concerned Citizens Take Over Kennecott’s “Citizen Advisory Group” Meeting
February 23, 2008by Gabriel Caplett
MARQUETTE – Forty-six citizens packed the chairs in a small room at the Ramada Inn, in Marquette, February 22, for a Kennecott-sponsored “Citizen Advisory Group” (CAG) meeting. Many citizens attended the meeting to express disappointment that Kennecott has kept many of its mining plans secret until after State approvals of its project.
Kennecott’s previous CAG meetings have required the public to sit, quietly, as Kennecott would give a well-rehearsed presentation with other members of the CAG board. CAG members were hand-picked by Kennecott and are not viewed by the public as representing citizens. The public was only allowed to introduce questions or concerns during bathroom breaks to CAG board members, who would then choose whether or not the question would be presented. The meetings are held during normal business hours when many people in the community have prior work obligations. Today, prior to the meeting, Bill Rustem, group facilitator and Kennecott consultant, confirmed that there would not be public comment at the meeting. Read the rest of this entry »
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Mines and Communities: Refusing to Play by Company Rules
February 7, 2007by Gabriel Caplett
On January 9, 2007, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) granted preliminary approval of Kennecott Mineral’s Eagle Mine permit. The potential metallic sulfide mine is on the Yellow Dog Plains, within a few miles of the shores of Lake Superior. This decision should not have come as a surprise to anyone. According to one member of the DEQ, “the DEQ [is] leaning toward approving the application regardless of any deficiencies.” This fact was already clear to anyone that has attended DEQ hearings/public forums on the issue. To be as polite as possible, the DEQ has found it difficult to mask their disregard for us Yoopers and citizens of Michigan.
Citizens rally in front of Michigan Capitol Building, December 2005; Photo courtesy Andy Gregg
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