For First Nations people around the world, water and land are life. They are not just a source of livelihood; they tell a story and hold their cultural identity. Large extractive projects such as mining can pose significant threats to these important environments. 

In particular, tailings waste can cause massive environmental damage in areas of high rainfall and seismic activity or on small islands, where there are limited options to store the tailings. Many mines planned for the Pacific region fall into one of these categories, meaning the negative impacts often outweigh the economic benefits, which are usually exaggerated.

Australia has the second largest overseas mining impact globally. Australian mining companies are at the forefront of pushing projects with grave risks and questionable benefits. Local communities often object, but companies use various methods to force or manufacture community consent. 

We work together with local communities to defend their lands and support their right to determine what happens on them.