Canada's Idle No More movements pose risks for mining industries

Idle No More protests, described as “a grass-roots movement with little centralized leadership,” are ingrained on the natives’ struggle against Canada’s colonial reality. The movements represent the long-standing demand of the indigenous people for justice on land rights, economic resources, and other political rights.

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

These aboriginal actions may seem noble and historic, but the mining industries fear what these actions could lead to. In the 2012/13 survey of the best mining jurisdictions across the globe, Canada lost the top spot for the first time in six years as mining companies sensed that Idle No More constituents appear much less willing to accommodate them than in the past. Ironically, Canada holds 75 percent of the world’s mining operations, and the situation could stain the nation’s reputation as a source of low-risk resource development.

Image Source: cbc.ca

Experts believe that the historic actions could lead to drastic and less realistic changes in contract agreements. Changes in land rights, compensation, and the inclusion of profit-sharing clause on business deals are some of the challenges which the industries have to prepare for.

It is believed that these changes spurred from a series of broken promises made by the Harper administration for the indigenous people since its rise to power. Jeff Dennis, assistant professor at McMaster University, asserts that the government has, among others, abandoned land claims, tried to cover underfunding of schools and welfare agencies, gutted environmental regulations, and eased restrictions on Canadian territories, much to the dismay of the natives.

Image Source: hauntednorthamerica.net

Experts would believe that it’s up to the mining companies to renegotiate parts of the agreements and bear the brunt of the pro-natives movements or transfer to other mining operations.

This blog on Richard Fifer digs deep into the issue on aboriginal protests and the mining industries in Canada.

Mining 101: Important terms and definitions

Image source: britannica.com

Simply digging around and stumbling upon a rock does not qualify as mining. To obtain the minerals, miners must often sort through waste material first. Waste, in this sense, does not hold the same definition as garbage, but rather, refers to material that does not provide any economic interest to the miner. Waste is often the largest product of mining, and incurs the highest cost.

There are different kinds of mines. A drift mine is a horizontal mining space that allows access to transportation, accommodation logistics, and even temporary roads. Drift mines are ideal for land-based mining operations.


Image source: corrosionda.com

Slope mining is, as the term suggests, mining through an inclining surface. This is often how coal is obtained. Slope mines differ from drift mines in that the resources are accessed by tunneling straight down and then horizontally, respectively.

Unlike the two, a shaft mine, also known as shaft sinking, is a mining space wherein the excavation occurs in a vertical or near-vertical angle, from the top down. Shaft mines are ideal for mining occurring several levels underground. Shafts grant access to the different levels and the main ground on top.


Image source: emt-india.net

Little is understood about the mining industry. As the director and executive chairman of a mining company, Richard Fifer raises awareness about the myriad processes involved in commercially producing metal. Read about his work with Petaquilla Minerals Ltd. on this website.