Kinross and Geocom
Canadian Kinross Gold Corporation and US-Based Geocom Resources are leading the mining interests in the Futaleufu and Espolon Valley. The second phase of exploration was due to be finalized by July 2008. The Chaiten Volcano has delayed Geocom Resources from meeting their deadline, however, with further financial support from Alliance International Investors and Humboldt Capital Corporation, Geocom will be able to continue it exploration phase. Kinross Gold Corporation continues to support this endeavor, further funding the financially unstable Geocom Resources. Kinross Gold Corporation is the third-largest primary gold produces in North America by reserves. "Kinross' exploration philosophy is simple - replace and grow reserves." Kinross aims to achieve their shortsighted goal by injecting funds into junior exploration companies that are commonly unstable and do not adhere to regional environmental regulations. Kinross has 10 guiding principles for corporate responsibility, however, the present stage of the mine development is being led primarily by Geocom Resources, in that way enabling Kinross to disregards its guiding principles for the time being. FutaFriends hopes that Kinross' third guiding principle of "(promoting) an ongoing dialogue and engagement with stakeholders in the communities where (they) operate, maintained in a spirit of transparency and good faith" is effectively followed.
No
Dirty Gold Campaign
EarthWorks is running
a No Dirty Gold Campaign with
the purpose of informing consumers on
the negative impacts that dirty mining
can have on the environment. Most consumers
don't know where the gold in their products
comes from, or how it is mined. Gold mining
is a dirty business and consumer awareness
is necessary to decrease its impact on
the environment. For more information
on the No Dirty Gold Campaign,
please visit
www.nodirtygold.org
Dams and the Energy Chile Needs
The HidroAysen Project is the most ambitious dam proposal in the history of Chile. The Natural Resources Defense Council, International Rivers and Chilean partner Ecosistemas, are leading the Patagonia Without Dams Campaign. The proposed project threatens every river in Chilean Patagonia from future damming. The HidroAysen project, along with proposing the construction of 5 dams on two of Patagonia's most pristine rivers, plans on building a 2000 km high-voltage transmission line, creating the world's longest clear cut. Along with altering Chile's environment from the South to the Central Valley, the project threatens future damming of other rivers in Patagonia. Once the transmission line is in place, rivers such as the Puelo, Yelcho, Palena and the infamous Futaleufu will also be scheduled for damming.
FutaFriends understands the need of the Chilean government for a source of reliable and renewable energy, however, the level of destruction created by the HidroAysen surpasses any possible benefits the proposed project plans to offer. Even though the Futaleufu is not being directly threatened by the HidroAysen project, FutaFriends sees the proposed project as a dark cloud slowly creeping closer to the Futaleufu Valley. For further information on the Patagonia Without Dams Campaign, please visit www.savebiogems.org/patagonia/
FutaFriends'
mission is to ensure the free-flow
of the Futaleufu River and to protect the
natural resources of its watershed through
community stewardship, education and sustainable
development for current and future generations.
