Author to speak on social and economic costs of mining

NEWS RELEASE
NORDIK INSTITUTE
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Joan Kuyek, author, university lecturer and founding coordinator of MiningWatch Canada will be in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday, Jan. 30 to explore the true social and economic costs of mining with a particular focus on the Ring of Fire and related developments, such as the proposed ferrochrome smelter.

Co-hosted by NORDIK Institute, Clean North. the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, and Algoma’s Water Tower Inn, the event is expected to attract substantial local interest in Kuyek’s most recent book, Unearthing Justice:  How to Protect Your Community from the Mining Industry.  

“Joan Kuyek has over thirty years’ experience in analyzing the social, environmental and economic costs of mining, and working with communities to develop environmental assessments, cost-benefit Agreements and stop unethical mining practices” says Sean Meades, NORDIK’s Director.  “We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to hear from one of Canada’s leading authorities on the economics of mining”.  

In her book, Kuyek challenges the dominant image projected by the mining industry of creating “sustainable development, responsible mining, community engagement, and environmental protection…realizing community benefits, and advancing the participation of Indigenous people.” 

Instead, her well-documented research and dozens of Canadian examples, suggest instead an “enormous and long-term physical and social footprint” that is paid at great cost by individuals, communities and tax dollars.

Everyone is welcome to attend Algoma’s Water Tower Inn at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, to hear Kuyek’s presentation on the Economics of Mining with a particular focus on proposed Ring of Fire developments. Books will be available for sale at a cost of $20.  

NORDIK Institute is Algoma University’s community based research organization whose goal is to build Northern Ontario’s capacity to conduct research that contributes to social, economic and environmental justice in rural, Indigenous and northern communities and provides evidence for informed policy and decision making.

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