June @ Yes to Life No to Mining
We a a global solidarity network standing up for our Right to Say No to mining and advancing life-sustaining, post-extractive alternatives.
Welcome to the June edition of the Yes to Life No to Mining Newsletter! This month, we’re delighted to introduce you to our new position paper on Gender, Patriarchy and Extractivism as well as our new emblematic case study showcasing resistance to extractivism in Nigeria.
We are also kicking off our preparations for COP 30 and the People’s Summit, taking place in Brazil in November. As the so-called ‘mining COP’, YLNM felt we needed a strong presence at this year’s climate summit - to let the world know that we won’t settle for less than a truly just transition, one which doesn’t reproduce the injustices of the old (and current) system but instead leads to a world Beyond Extractivism.
[Image above: The Gaia Foundation]
News from the regions
What is happening with our members across the globe 🌍
Oceania
Fast track to destruction: New mining law in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki tells of an unprecedented attack by the right wing coalition government on the environment, democracy, and Indigenous rights. A new law is fast-tracking mining projects — including in conservation areas and the seabed — while silencing communities and ignoring environmental protections. The Guardian has covered this development, also follow @coromandelwatchdog for more.
Papua New Guinea: Civil Society Organisations welcome the recent announcement by Prime Minister James Marape at the 3rd #UNOceanConference in France, stating that his government will stop deep sea mining operations within PNG’s national waters in absence of robust scientific evidence and proper environmental safeguards. Read the full press release via the Deep Sea Mining Campaign, and watch interview by Jonathan Mesulam from the West Coast Development Foundation.
The Americas
Colombia: Jerico 11 are free!
On April 23, unjust criminal proceedings were initiated against 11 peasant farmers from southwestern Antioquia, for opposing the Quebradona mega-mining project of the multinational AngloGold Ashanti. After a massive outpouring of solidarity from all over the world, and a beautifully creative resistance, all eleven environmental human rights defenders are now free. Resistance and solidarity works! La lucha continúa!
Chile: Solidarity with scientist exposing the extractive destruction of salt flats.
More than 200 socio-environmental organizations, academics and individuals have voiced their support for Dr. Cristina Dorador in a statement that comes in response to the undermining suffered by Dr. Dorador by Quiboraz mining company’s lawyer, as she gave expert testimony of the unique ecosystem that is the Surire Salt Flat.
Mexico: While in Canada they celebrate the merger of Equinox Gold Corp and Calibre Mining Corp, in Carrizalillo the federal government confirms the illegality of Equinox Gold, reports REMA.
Africa
Nigeria: New YLNM Emblematic Case from our member HOMEF
The resistance of the Owukpa people to coal mining in Nigeria.
The people of Owukpa have endured enough. They are saying no to coal extraction, and they want their land, their health, and their livelihoods preserved. Read the full emblematic case here.
Asia
Philippines: Kalikasan PNE tells the Philippine President: Stop Selling Out Philippine Sovereignty!
As the Australian-Canadian mining giant OceanaGold is handed yet another multimillion-dollar ‘exploration’ pass, our member cuts through the rhetoric:
“Let’s be clear: this $5-million deal didn’t come out of nowhere. It is the direct result of the newly ratified mining fiscal regime, rammed through Congress at the behest of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and President Marcos, Jr. This so-called “reform” slashes the government’s share, and locks in investor-friendly tax rates, and opens the floodgates for more foreign mining giants to bleed the country dry – all under the guise of “responsible and sustainable mineral development”.
Europe
Mining myths
Our ally Catapa continues to expose mining myths - this one belies the claim ‘If we don’t accept mining in Europe, companies will mine in the global south.’ Catapa rightly points out the inherent racism in this claim, nevermind that it is completely false.
Ireland: The Republic of Ireland strongly warns of the irreversibly damaging transboundary effects of a mega goldmine in the North. EU Directives, as well as UN Conventions, will be violated if this project advances.
Britain: We join our long term ally, member and fiscal sponsor The Gaia Foundation as it celebrates 35 years sowing seeds of change. Watch this beautiful animation depicting the radical transformation weaving life back into our web.
YLNM updates
New Position Paper
Gender, Patriarchy and Extractivism
Extractivism is deeply connected to patriarchy and colonialism, impacting women and marginalized genders the most. In this position paper, we explore how these systems harm people and the planet—and how feminist movements are leading the fight for just, caring alternatives.
New Emblematic Case
As reported above, our newest emblematic case raises the struggle of the Owukpa people as they resist coal mining. Check it out:
The resistance of the Owukpa people to coal mining in Nigeria
See also our previous emblematic cases here.
YLNM at the People’s Summit, COP 30
YLNM is a core member of the Thematic Social Forum on Mining and the Extractive Economy (TSF-mining), a network of organisations and movements worldwide fighting the injustice of mining. TSF is jointly leading the animation of Axis 3: a just, popular and inclusive transition. Hear more here, and read all axes in the post description.
Social media
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Who we are
Have you read our updated Statement of Principles?
After a re-subscription process on the back of our revamped Statement of Principles, see our updated list of members.