High atop the Luossavaara Mountain in northern Sweden, Sami reindeer herder Lars-Marcus Kuhmunen mapped out a bleak future for himself and other Indigenous people whose reindeer have roamed this land for thousands of years. An expanding iron-ore mine and a deposit of rare-earth minerals are fragmenting the land and altering ancient reindeer migration routes. But with the Arctic warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, herders say they need more geographic flexibility, not less, to ensure the animals' survival.
The Kiruna Church and its belfry are being moved along a five-kilometre route east to a new city center as part of Kiruna's relocation due to mining threats.
Minacu, a small city in inland Brazil, is set to become the first operation outside Asia to produce four rare earths on a commercial scale. This marks a pivotal development amid escalating trade disputes between China and the US, particularly since China has historically dominated the production of these essential minerals.
'If approved as currently written, the provision could lease in perpetuity land near Minnesota's Boundary Waters wilderness, an enormous complex of pristine lakes and untrammeled forests, to Twin Metals Minnesota.'
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans to designate the mineral-rich Ring of Fire as a special economic zone, aiming for swift development and consultation with First Nations.
Carla Antonella Rodriguez fought against societal norms for her right to work in the coal mine, ultimately impacting women’s roles in the workforce after 80 years.
Ontario is moving forward with legislation to accelerate mining development, significantly reducing environmental assessments which has raised concerns among First Nations regarding consent.