How does mining affect indigenous peoples in Canada?

The sudden influx of money generated by mines can also have a negative impact on Indigenous communities, as it can leave them susceptible to financial exploitation, as well as worsen pre-existing issues with substance abuse and gambling (Bernauer, 2019).

How does Diamond mining affect Canada?

Between 1998 and 2002, 13.8 million carats worth $2.8 billion have been mined in Canada. Diamond mining has also led to a marked increase in Northern jobs. And these positions are more than just stints, but long-term posts. Nearly a third of these jobs are held by aboriginals and average salaries hover around $63,000.

What are the benefits of diamond mining in Canada?

Diamond mining is providing high-income employment to Canada’s northern communities. Between 1998 and 2001, the number of employees directly involved in diamond mining increased almost seven-fold, from just over 90 to more than 700.

How does Diamond mining affect indigenous peoples?

Continued use of unsustainable practices and irreversible environmental damage may lead to an inability for Indigenous communities to continue to survive and sustain their populations, as well as continuing to cause habitat destruction, increased global temperatures, and ecosystem contamination.

How does Diamond mining affect First Nations?

What are some of the problems with Canadian diamonds? The mines are often built in environmentally fragile ecosystems, have significant ecological footprints, and will significantly impact upon the caribou, wolverine, bears, ptarmigan and fish which provide food for Aboriginal peoples.

Is diamond mining ethical?

Because of the Kimberley Process, 99.8\% of diamonds are now certified conflict-free and there is much greater accountability and transparency in the diamond industry. Unfortunately, just because a diamond has been certified by the Kimberly Process does not necessarily mean it is ethical or even conflict-free.

Where are ethically sourced diamonds from?

There are only a few reliable sources for truly Conflict Free Diamonds or Ethically Sourced Diamonds. Australia, Canada and Botswana Africa are the most well known and prolific. The Australian Mines are the Argyle Mine owned by The Rio Tinto Mining Company, and the Ellendale owned by Goodrich Resources.

Where are diamonds found in nature?

The following countries produce industrial grade diamonds: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, China, Congo, Russia and South Africa. Geologically speaking, natural diamonds are found in two environments. Most are found in kimberlites, which are pipe-like formations created as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity.

What has Canada done to ensure that only clean diamonds are traded?

The Kimberley Process is an international initiative put in place to curb the trade in conflict diamonds. This joint initiative of governments, industry and civil society now has more than 50 participants, including Canada. In fact, Canada’s provisions exceed the Kimberley Process’s minimum requirements.

What are the two types of diamonds?

Technically speaking, there are 2 categories that are used to classify a diamond: type I (contains nitrogen impurities) and type II (without nitrogen impurities).

How has mining affected Aboriginal land?

Mining on Aboriginal land contributes more than 80 per cent of the Northern Territory’s total mineral value, making Aboriginal land a significant source of income for the Territory. In 2020 approximately one third of Aboriginal land was subject to existing exploration licences, or new applications under negotiation.

What is the impact of the mine on the Aboriginal community?

It is clear that the mining boom has resulted in substantial increases in Indigenous employment in the mining sector, which has had a positive impact on the employment and average income levels of Indigenous people living in mining areas.

What is the name of the first diamond mine in Canada?

EKATI Diamond Mine. The EKATI Diamond Mine is Canada’s original diamond mine. It was opened in 1998 by BHP Billiton, Canada, Inc. and is owned by Dominion Diamond. It was initially an open-pit mine but mining moved underground as the surface mineable ore was depleted.

What are the challenges of diamond mining in Canada?

The diamond mines in Canada face a number of challenges not faced by competing mines in other parts of the world. The first problem is their very remote location. The mines can only receive overland freight during a short “ice road” season that might last between six and ten weeks.

What is the diamond industry like in Canada?

Canada is the world’s fourth-largest diamond producer, with most of that output coming from one area near Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories. The discovery of kimberlite pipes there in the early 1990s led to the development of several major mines.

Why are Aboriginal people coming back to the diamond industry?

But aboriginal people have put themselves in a position of authority. They are continually coming back with political clout to assure certain agreements have been signed. So far, diamond mining companies have been adhering more or less to these. Marc: More or less….You’re implying then that enforcement is, perhaps, inconsistent?