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geri

Dec 8, 2009, 8:05 AM

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Mining companies in Oaxaca

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I'm starting a new thread, the Plan Panama one is rather lengthy. If you want something to get worked up about in southern Mexico, you'll be able to get your jaws into a meaty subject - mining. Many Canadian companies are here, exploring old mines and maybe finding new ones. The old ones closed because it wasn't profitable to operate them but now with new techniques and transport options..... There's gold in them thar hills !!! Anyway, lots of Canadian silver and gold mine public stock for sale. The govt. owns the mineral rights, but, of course the campesinos consider the land theirs. They've tilled it for centuries. There are periodic blockades, involving police and military. I've been getting stock offerings (spam) for several years and have run into or read about a few rebellions against the mining interests. In my opinion, it's only just begun. There will be those who argue that the mines will create jobs/money/better living standards for the poor. Others who will maintain that mines rape the countryside and ravage local customs.

(This post was edited by geri on Dec 8, 2009, 8:10 AM)

RickS

Dec 8, 2009, 8:29 AM

Post #2 of 11 (4661 views)

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Re: [geri] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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"There will be those who argue that the mines will create jobs/money/better living standards for the poor. Others who will maintain that mines rape the countryside and ravage local customs."

So I see that you have Republicans and Democrats down there too, Jeri. ;>)

geri

Dec 8, 2009, 9:45 AM

Post #3 of 11 (4645 views)

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Re: [RickS] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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I was talking about folks on this forum. I haven't heard any discussion among gringos here re the mining. It think it's a rather quiet issue so far and maybe I'm thinking way too creatively when I say it will become a future ballyhoo. Not many Republicans in Oaxaca. If so, they don't speak up.

Hound Dog

Dec 8, 2009, 1:15 PM

Post #4 of 11 (4619 views)

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Re: [geri] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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There will be those who argue that the mines will create jobs/money/better living standards for the poor. Others who will maintain that mines rape the countryside and ravage local customs.

Regarding the ancient human customs of exploiting the land in order to extract useful subterranean mineral resources and such vital life-sustaining substances as potable water and clearing of forest lands for agricultural and ranch lands and constructions of trade-sustaining safe-harbor ports; whether these endeavors have been good for the earth or its inhabitants in general over time is a question of perspective. One thing is for sure, however. You can´t make an omelette without breaking eggs.

wendy devlin

Dec 8, 2009, 2:19 PM

Post #5 of 11 (4603 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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Yes, you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. And I doubt the NIMBY factor ever goes away. Anywhere.

However there are companies with track records of environmental and social responsibility.
Then, there's the rest, which, taking the world as a whole, the majority.

I've known someone in the mining industry for nearly thirty years. The last seventeen years of his career as an exploratory geologist, have led him to jobs in Mexico. (Venezuela and Peru) Nearly three years ago, he became VP of one of those Canadian mining companies in Mexico, Geri referred to in this OP. Two years ago, I visited him, his Mexican staff of thirty and several of his company's mines in Mexico. Without this company's involvement , these particular 'historical' mines with their 500-600 Mexican mine workers, probably would not be operating at this time.

May describe the experience if anyone's interested. Like to think, based on interviewing the staff, touring the operations, going 'underground' myself, that this company is one of the good ones.

Can't say, anything, first hand about any of the other Canadian companies.

(This post was edited by wendy devlin on Dec 8, 2009, 2:20 PM)

johnnyhan

Jan 20, 2010, 11:10 AM

Post #6 of 11 (4375 views)

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Re: [wendy devlin] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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Hound Dog

Jan 20, 2010, 1:20 PM

Post #7 of 11 (4358 views)

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Re: [johnnyhan] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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The record of mining companies in Latin America and Mexico is abomonable. It is replete with political approvals of mining with little or no communication with the local people impacted. If you have an interest read Eduardo Galleano's, "Open Veins of latin America."

Well, Johnny; you have reopened a thread that originally preceded the recent troubls in Chiapas regarding the exploitative open pit mining techniques and corruption and murder allegedly practiced by a certain Canadian mining company by proxy in Chiapas and that´s fine and I'm glad you did as the subject has become more complex for the casual reader. I have lived in Southern Mexico long enough to avoid presumptive advocacy on any side but if you want to discuss this let´s have at it, I'm game.

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wendy devlin

Jan 20, 2010, 6:55 PM

Post #8 of 11 (4332 views)

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Re: [johnnyhan] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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Was wondering where heard the name of the book, Las venas abiertas de América Latina (Open Veins of Latin America) Then remembered this is the name of the book Hugo Chavez gave as a gift to Barack Obama.

mexijo

Feb 23, 2010, 6:16 AM

Post #9 of 11 (4124 views)

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Re: [wendy devlin] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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If you are interesting in mining and it's social and environmental effects I recommend the blog Inca Cola News: http://incakolanews.blogspot.com/
A lot of coverage of Canadian Companies (the good and the bad) and their projects in Oaxaca.
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geri

Feb 24, 2010, 6:03 AM

Post #10 of 11 (4088 views)

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Re: [mexijo] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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I couldn't seem to find the blog re mining in Oaxaca. The link is to a rather extensive news website.

mexijo

Feb 24, 2010, 8:21 AM

Post #11 of 11 (4076 views)

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Re: [geri] Mining companies in Oaxaca

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Yes, Otto is covering a lot of topics.
A search on the Blog for "Oaxaca" finds the articles:
http://www.google.com/cse?cx=partner-pub-2132404595457595%3Aieuw5hxtx75&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=oaxaca&sa=Search
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