Canadian mines, global issues: examining health impacts, demanding action.

backgroundWhile a global player in the mining and metals sector, there is little regulatory oversight by Canada of Canadian mining companies in relation to their transnational activities. Much mineral exploration and mining take place in remote and rural areas inhabited by Indigenous and other minoritized and/or marginalized communities, and has been linked to worsening health, social, and environmental conditions. Few effective legal mechanisms exist to monitor, investigate, and provide effective remedies for their harmful impacts.

methodsThree focal mining communities representing different mining life stages were studied: exploratory phase (Philippines), midlife (Brazil), and a transitioning to end-stage that has now been reinvigorated post-nationalization (Kyrgyz Republic). A qualitative approach based on locale-specific community consultations was employed with analysis informed by a theoretical framework based on the commercial, political, and social determinants of health, environmental justice, and their interactive and embodied impacts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The community consultations yielded the following notable findings: a failure to acknowledge Indigenous rights (all sites); intimidation and harassment of local residents raising objections (Brazil and Philippines); the centrality of mines entrench social and economic inequities —including pre-existing ones (all sites); prior experience and knowledge of harms linked to extractive resource industries affect perception and resistance to mines (Brazil and Philippines) and the presence of widespread illness and disease among miners (Brazil and Kyrgyz Republic). Participants expressed support for community-driven mining and health studies documenting long-term occupational and environmental health impacts, particularly respiratory and water-borne illnesses.

conclusionsDespite the lethargy, obfuscation, and refusal of the Canadian government to take action on the global interests and actions of its corporations operating abroad, local efforts to resist the experienced and potential harms of transnational Canadian mining operations are noteworthy. Canada must comply with its binding international human rights obligations and move beyond its failed policy approach to addressing the harmful impacts of these endeavours. Future research must be conducted with and be accountable to local communities. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.