Labrador city.
A Quebec judge has ruled that a $815 million (Cdn$900 million) lawsuit by two Canadian aboriginal communities against Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC), can move forward.
The Innu communities of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam and Matimekush-Lac John asked the court last March for an injunction against IOC’s unit in Quebec and Labrador to stop all mining. The groups claim the miner has violated their rights for nearly 60 years by operating without their permission.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Marc-Andre Blanchard rejected Rio’s subsidiary’s claim that the Innu had to sue the government instead of the mining company, which is Canada’s biggest producer of the steel-making ingredient.
Flag of Innu Nation of Quebec and Labrador by TaraTaylorDesign, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Innu claim that IOC’s mines and other facilities have ruined the environment, displaced members from their territory and prevented them from practising their traditional way of life. They also said the 578-kilometre railway between Schefferville and Sept-Iles has opened up their territory to “numerous other destructive development projects.”
The allegations have not been proven in court.
The Innu said in a news release Monday that they will also contest in court a new mine called “Wabush 3,” which IOC wants to build in the Labrador City area.
The Innu communities have already reached agreements with ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT), Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE:CLF), Tata Steel (NSE:TATASTEEL), New Millennium Iron (TSX:NML) and Labrador Iron Mines (TSX:LIM), which provide financial compensation for the mining activities.
9 Comments
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Wow – where does it end? Don’t these bands realize that if they shut down every industrial project in the country that they are condemning all of us, including “their people”, to a life of poverty???
MR Denis
Aboriginal people’s rights were far from being recognized at the time Schefferville mining started. Now they are and it seems that most other companies recognize that fact. Why not IOC who made a fortune out of it ? (also true is part of Quebec’s wealth gains out of it during the 60’s). Fortunately we still live in a state of law and these kind of actions help our industry to grab the concept of sustainable development.
William Tamakloe
Where was the Innu community at that time about 60 years ago? why didn’t they ( Mr. Rio Tinto and his followers) protested against when the concession was acquired? They should give us a break.
John cardinal
60 years ago they were not allowed to vote, that’s why people listen now
bobby44
When you acquire an asset you also acquire the liabilities. This is one of them. Rio Tinto does not want to set any precedent of paying ‘back’ fees or consideration payments. They do participate well in new developments and should be engaging in dialogue for going forward. When you can not reach an accommodation the courts are there to help you.
Sadly too many projects are opposed out of hand these days. Just oppose and not try to address the real issues. Time to get going down a path to responsible development. Responsible to all – developer, government, and society.
U308
More activist BS from our judiciary. These mines were built according to the laws of the day. Retroactive and race-based punitive actions have no place in Canada. I am completely disgusted at the direction this country is moving.
fland
Lové Gozalez comment,,,,poverty they could not stand any more !!!
Rod M. Kerr
Traditional ways should be just that. No guns, no matches, no power, no cars etc.
labcity
As an aboriginal person myself, I am totally disgusted with the way a lot of aboriginal people are these days. I feel that all they want is for the rest of us HARD WORKING honest people to pay their ways. They blame the government for everything and are always suing someone for compensation related to something with regards to the land. Honestly,