One such development is rearing its ugly head right now. The project
in question is the Fandora Gold mine -- a proposal to do exploratory
(yet still substantial) work at a long-abandoned mine site in the
Tranquil Valley in the heart of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation territory.
The Tla-o-qui-aht have declared the area a Tribal Park, to be managed by
the Nation to meet their economic, social, and cultural needs without
compromising the environment. A gold mine, or any activity working
towards gold mining, doesn't fit their definition of responsible
development.
Gold mining is one of the most destructive things we do, and the
reasons to worry about it are endless. Acid mine drainage -- a process
through which non-usable materials found in gold deposits are exposed,
acidified, and leached into the surrounding environment -- threatens
water quality and is a common occurrence at gold mines worldwide. Other
toxins like mercury are released through mining, further impacting local
water systems. In a rainforest like Clayoquot Sound, water is the
central element, and by jeopardizing it we jeopardize everything from
salmon rehabilitation to cultural practices to recreational
opportunities.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/torrance-coste/gold-mining-bc-clayoquot_b_3853542.html?just_reloaded=1
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