Diamonds are forever; sadly, so is the aftermath of diamond mining.  Canadian Diamonds are marketed as conflict free diamonds. But how are we doing really?  What is the environmental performance like on the ground in Ontario? Ontario depends on the mines to self regulate their environmental impacts.  That system is failing Ontarians.

Weighted against the jobs and economic growth of Diamond mining are the costs to the environment and those living downstream. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Wildlands League decided to take a case study approach and learn more about the environmental performance of one such mine.

What they found is deeply disturbing.

Mercury levels—already high enough to limit fish consumption thanks to airborne transport from across the globe—have risen further as a direct result of mining.  Large fish are becoming increasingly dangerous to eat for the indigenous communities that rely on them. With this as the backdrop, the failure to report on 5 out of 9 creek water monitoring stations for the Victor Diamond mine in Ontario’s Far North, puts a community at risk and calls into question the effectiveness of a system reliant on industry self-monitoring.  Ultimately, the costs for managing environmental damage will be acutely felt in the communities in closest proximity, but it will be all of us paying to manage the impacts over time.

Janet Sumner, the Executive Director of CPAWS Wildlands League, and Environmental Lawyer Anastasia Lintner, will be joining us on Monday March 21 to talk about the case study and what it means for everyone relying on the government to effectively manage risks.  Wildlands League is calling on the Ontario Government to take measures to shore up the integrity of monitoring programs that protect ecosystems and the public. They are also asking for a plan, a plan before De Beers builds the remaining 15 mines they have targeted in this watershed alone. We will be meeting at the Madison Avenue Pub.

Doors open at 7:00pm and the talk will begin promptly at 7:30.  As always, the event is free, you just have to pay for what you order.  Please RSVP to let us know if you are planning to join us.