Did you know that the majority of the world’s mining companies are headquartered in Canada? Each year, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), which represents the industry, hosts a convention in Toronto. PDAC members gather to share news and research, and to celebrate their achievements. The mining industry describes itself as a responsible business sector, crucial to green energy. Meanwhile, at Development and Peace, KAIROS, and the Student Christian Movement, we often hear from our partners and friends in the Global South that mining is one of the worst industries for abuses of human rights and the environment.
This year, the PDAC will hold its convention in Toronto from March 5-8. On Tuesday, March 7, professionals will enjoy an awards gala at the Fairmount Royal York hotel, across the street from Union Station. In solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who have been harmed by mining, we feel compelled to bear witness to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor during this awards gala.
We will gather outside the Fairmount Royal York hotel, on Front Street, on March 7 at 5:30pm, in prayerful presence. We will provide small candles with information about affected people and communities attached to distribute to people going into the gala, or to take home as reminders for ourselves to continue praying, especially during Lent.
We encourage you to join us in this action. If you are clergy or religious, we also ask that you consider wearing a collar or identifiable religious symbol, to help us visually underline that our faith calls us to this peaceful action.
Please sign up using this form if you plan to attend on Tuesday, March 7, so we have an idea of how many to expect. If you have any further questions, please contact Dean Dettloff, animator for Development and Peace, at ddettloff@devp.org.
Related events:
Sunday, March 5, 7:00-7:30pm EST: Virtual Prayer: Hope for Mining Justice
Join D&P members online to honor those who have lost their lives and communities to the mining industry, and to raise our prayers in solidarity with those who continue to resist. Register here.
*PDAC = Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, in their words, “The World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention”
Thank you to those who joined us for Unearthing Solidarity: Global Voices on Mining Justice this month. A blog and recording of the webinar are available here.