Forest & Bird’s Post

🚨 Sand Mining Deceptions Exposed – But Fast Track Bill and Appeal to High Court Threatens Environment Court Decision🚨 For years, locals watched as McCallum Bros' ship sand dredged the Pākiri and Mangawhai coastline. This is the story of Damon Clapshaw, who unearthed a shocking reality through sheer determination and a re-purposed boat: massive trenches gouged into the seabed, hidden from public view. These deep scars, undisclosed by McCallum Bros, raised grave concerns about the ecological impact of their operations and their ability to monitor and tell the truth about the damage being caused. With the support of local and national groups, including Friends of Pākiri Beach, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and Te Whānau o Pākiri, Damon went to the Environment Court, who rejected McCallum Bros' appeal. This was a victory for transparency and accountability, but the battle is far from over. Now, the company could seek approval under the Fast Track Bill. This legislation could silence public input and prioritise profit over our precious coastline, which is also a habitat for many endangered species. The fast-track legislation prioritises economic considerations higher than the Resource Management Act does, and the proposed process is deeply flawed. Much of the knowledge gained about the effect of sand mining in the area came from a diverse range of voices contributing evidence and a slow unearthing of facts. If the commissioners or court relied on information the company provided, the trenches and their potential impact would never have come to light, nor would the huge mistake the company’s expert made in his calculation of the amount of sand washing into the area each year. We need to ensure that the Fast Track Bill does not progress so that communities, scientists, experts, and iwi all get to have their say on projects of environmental and societal importance. Hearings are coming up, and we will keep you posted on all outcomes, including our own verbal submission. #SaveOurSandMangawhaiPakiri #SaveEndangeredSpeciesNZ #NoFastTrackBill https://lnkd.in/gvgwYWr7

Yugunga-Nya Traditional Owners in Western Australia’s Mid-West region claim Sandfire Resources gagged them and destroyed Aboriginal heritage sites in the pursuit of a mine expansion. Last Wednesday the Traditional Owners alleged a six-month independent report from external law firm Gilbert & Tobin lacked “context, balance, and supporting information to substantiate its key findings and recommendations … a perspective crucial for fully understanding the impact of Sandfire’s actions”. The external investigation came after Sandfire notified the ASX in late December 2023 it had hired the firm to investigate “process failures” that led to the disturbance of Aboriginal heritage at its DeGrussa mine site, approximately 150km north of Meekatharra, and a decision not to inform Yugunga-Nya Traditional Owners about it. The read the full article as reported by David Prestipino for National Indigenous Times click on the link in the comments section below. #westernaustralia #centralaustralia #culturalheritage #protection #mining #aboriginalculture #nativetitle

Indigenous peoples call the place where transboundary wild salmon rivers originate the “Sacred Headwaters.” The mining industry calls it the “Golden Triangle.” A recent expert analysis highlighted that six of British Columbia, Canada’s riskiest massive mine waste dams are located on these transboundary river systems – and are predicted to “destroy ecosystems and/or kill people when they fail.” Tribes, First Nations, and Alaska municipalities are calling for a total ban on mine waste dams and a pause on British Columbia gold mining along Alaska-B.C. transboundary rivers until binding watershed protections are implemented. Let’s work collectively through the leadership of Indigenous communities on both sides of the political border in order to steward these rivers long into the future. Salmon Beyond Borders is an Alaska-based campaign working with fishermen, business owners, community leaders, and concerned citizens, alongside Tribes and First Nations on both sides of the Alaska-B.C. border, to defend and sustain our transboundary wild salmon rivers, jobs, and way of life. Join the movement to defend the rivers that feed us. Learn more and take action at: 🐟 https://lnkd.in/gc6UdZ7c 🐟 👉🏿👉🏾👉🏽👉🏼👉🏻👉 SalmonState

https://lnkd.in/dpV4dAqc "Concessions have also been granted to multinational mining companies and the timber industry, upsetting and dividing Indigenous and tribal communities with historical claims to collective lands. In a helicopter fly-over, the Guardian observes how an endless jungle has become scarred, with gold mining devouring pristine Amazon rainforest and roads carving open territories for loggers."

Where does the dirt go when we mine? Nope, it doesn't just vanish! In Alaska, mines are REQUIRED to minimize impact on the land and water and rehabilitate the site to a stable condition as quickly as possible. This takes a lot of planning and includes saving the dirt for revegetating with native seeds and plants that will restore the natural habitat. Dive into how we set a global standard for responsible mining: https://bit.ly/3VCqDwE #LandReclamation #EcoRehab #ResponsibleMining

Truly hope that this experimental mining scheme will be shut down. Knowing what we now know, it’s a wholly irresponsible plan that will cause irreparable damage. With aggressive recycling and adaptive reuse we can reduce mining on all fronts

President's Visit (July 17, 2022): Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves visited Crucitas, San Carlos, to assess the environmental damage from illegal mining operations. Environmental Impact: The area is severely polluted, particularly with mercury contamination, affecting water supplies and community health. Illegal Mining: Gold continues to be extracted illegally, worsening the already dire environmental and social conditions. Lack of Infrastructure: The region lacks clean water, proper roads, and sufficient schooling, contributing to violence . Call for Action: The President stressed the need for collaboration between government branches to resolve the ongoing crisis and protect the environment. #crucitas#costarica#illegalminers#gold#pdg https://lnkd.in/gU_592Mq

Water is life, and in Alaska’s mining industry, it's a top priority.💧Routine water testing protects local ecosystems: 💧 Water Monitoring: We conduct comprehensive testing of rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater to ensure we are maintaining rigorous water quality standards. 💧 Protecting Ecosystems: Regular water analyses help protect and sustain local wildlife and flora. 💧 Detecting Changes: Early detection allows us to adjust operations swiftly, safeguarding our valuable water resources. Alaska’s miners are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our waters for future generations. #WaterTesting #AlaskaMining #BetterInAK https://bit.ly/3BkU9Rm

New Third Nature Investments blog out today from me on the “sand mafia”: https://lnkd.in/e2kF2FZk You read that right, there is indeed such a thing as sand mafias – organized criminals mining truckloads of sand from rivers and coasts, destroying fragile ecosystems and communities along the way. All in the name of economic pursuits, reckless consumerism, and an insatiable demand for our earth's finite resources. It’s a largely under-reported story, but one we can glean important lessons from about the tight relationship between enterprise and environment, and why a reckoning is needed. Give it a read and let me know what you think. #earthsystems #systemicinvesting #sustainability #climatechange #impactinvesting

🔈 The Hidden Crisis: Uncovering the Illicit Sand Mining Trade Do you know which is the most consumed natural resource on Earth after water? ... Sand !!! 🔔 I read an intriguing article in SCIENTIFIC_AMERICAN (link in comments) about the illicit Sand Mining . You likely don't give much thought to sand - that humble material found on beaches, riverbeds, and deserts around the world. However, this seemingly abundant resource is rapidly disappearing due to an insidious global trade: illicit sand mining. Sand is a crucial ingredient for concrete, glass, and electronics manufacturing. As the global construction boom rages on, demand for sand has skyrocketed, making it the most consumed natural resource on Earth after water. Unscrupulous mining operations have emerged to meet this demand through illegal and environmentally destructive means. From Morocco's wind-swept dunes to the rivers of Kenya, crime syndicates are stripping away beaches, river bottoms, and coastlines. Organized criminal gangs coordinate fleets of trucks to transport illegally acquired sand, often with the complicity of corrupt officials. This black market is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. 😳 The impacts are disastrous for local communities and ecosystems. Dredging rivers destroys habitats, causes erosion, depletes groundwater, and worsens flooding. On coastlines, sand mining leaves lands exposed and vulnerable to rising seas. Conflicts and violence have erupted in regions like Kenya as residents protest against illegal miners ravaging vital water sources. Despite the severe toll, this crisis remains largely invisible to the public eye. As one expert notes, we lack a narrative around sand depletion akin to how 'Silent Spring' raised awareness about pollution in the 20th century. Sand may be mundane, but its uncontrolled exploitation threatens the land, waters, and livelihoods of billions. Another natural resource depleting in lightning speed. 😟 #sandmining #sustainability #environment #constructionindustry #concreteindustry #blackmarket #corruption #ecosystems #waterscarcity #circulareconomy