You guys see this?

[sestoppelman]

Canadian oil company illegally bulldozes protected land in Africa

 

[TucsonFX4]

I read about half the article and skimmed about another 1/4 of it. Honestly, I automatically don’t believe any of the BS written by any “major” “news” organization. And that includes if it’s on the other side of the political spectrum. There no longer exists any ethics in reporting, and it’s pathetic. As I continue to poke holes in the way an article is written and validate to myself it is full of bias and meant to influence readers instead of inform, I get tired and move on.

As a single example, they interviewed a 74 year old farmer from a tiny village who said he didn’t know this was going to happen. Granted my knowledge base is the USA, but if I were to start interviewing 70+ year old blue-collar folks from tiny communities in America about permits and government activities, or add plenty of other topics, don’t you think I could find a wide gamut of answers that support my bias, refute it, or are just comical?

I would definitely be interested in an unbiased piece of information on this type of thing, as I find that educational and worthwhile.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Little Fidel is just following his hero in the CCP lead in Africa.

 

[fourfive8]

@TucsonFX4- "I read about half the article and skimmed about another 1/4 of it. Honestly, I automatically don’t believe any of the BS written by any “major” “news” organization. And that includes if it’s on the other side of the political spectrum. There no longer exists any ethics in reporting, and it’s pathetic. As I continue to poke holes in the way an article is written and validate to myself it is full of bias and meant to influence readers instead of inform, I get tired and move on.

As a single example, they interviewed a 74 year old farmer from a tiny village who said he didn’t know this was going to happen. Granted my knowledge base is the USA, but if I were to start interviewing 70+ year old blue-collar folks from tiny communities in America about permits and government activities, or add plenty of other topics, don’t you think I could find a wide gamut of answers that support my bias, refute it, or are just comical?

I would definitely be interested in an unbiased piece of information on this type of thing, as I find that educational and worthwhile."

OK here ya go. Unless I'm mistaken, a reliable source here on AH alerted everyone to this or something very similar... maybe a year or two ago? I don't doubt it a bit!... anymore than I would doubt Chinese companies strip mining or other natural resource extractions with dubious (read bribed) permits from local officials around various parts of Africa. All done with zero concern or plan for mitigation after the projects are exhausted. Oh that's right I forgot, I was in on discovering one of those Chinese operations in Mozambique a few years ago. I also know exactly the company involved, the country of origin, exact location (been there several times) and potential of the infamous Pebble mine in Alaska. Nope, none of this is based on conspiracy rags or outlets or local biased bubbas or agenda driven, so called "journalists". Sorry, all based on factual personal knowledge.

 

[TucsonFX4]

Nothing I wrote said it was wrong, just that I read biased statement after biased statement. Therefore, in my opinion, an intelligent person that DOESN’T have first hand knowledge/facts to put the information into context CANNOT read a news report and take it at face value. Your post holds significantly more value of information than the article. No offense was meant to you or that community, or anyone else affected.

 

[WAB]

@TucsonFX4- "I read about half the article and skimmed about another 1/4 of it. Honestly, I automatically don’t believe any of the BS written by any “major” “news” organization. And that includes if it’s on the other side of the political spectrum. There no longer exists any ethics in reporting, and it’s pathetic. As I continue to poke holes in the way an article is written and validate to myself it is full of bias and meant to influence readers instead of inform, I get tired and move on.

As a single example, they interviewed a 74 year old farmer from a tiny village who said he didn’t know this was going to happen. Granted my knowledge base is the USA, but if I were to start interviewing 70+ year old blue-collar folks from tiny communities in America about permits and government activities, or add plenty of other topics, don’t you think I could find a wide gamut of answers that support my bias, refute it, or are just comical?

I would definitely be interested in an unbiased piece of information on this type of thing, as I find that educational and worthwhile."

OK here ya go. Unless I'm mistaken, a reliable source here on AH alerted everyone to this or something very similar... maybe a year or two ago? I don't doubt it a bit!... anymore than I would doubt Chinese companies strip mining or other natural resource extractions with dubious (read bribed) permits from local officials around various parts of Africa. All done with zero concern or plan for mitigation after the projects are exhausted. Oh that's right I forgot, I was in on discovering one of those Chinese operations in Mozambique a few years ago. I also know exactly the company involved, the country of origin, exact location (been there several times) and potential of the infamous Pebble mine in Alaska. Nope, none of this is based on conspiracy rags or outlets or local biased bubbas or agenda driven, so called "journalists". Sorry, all based on factual personal knowledge.

Pebble was an interesting study. The company proposed to relocate the headwaters of critical salmon streams flowing in to Bristol Bay. Specifically, the spawning areas. Talk about not knowing your audience, like that could ever happen in Alaska!

Ted Stevens was in my office about that time discussing a coal project. We got on the subject of pebble, and he made the comment that they still had a fighting chance, right up to the point that poor native woman had her hands severed in an accident on their site. That was the coup de grace, although it took some time for them to realize it.

 

[sestoppelman]

I doubt many members here have ever heard of the Pebble Mine deal.

The end of the road for Alaska’s Pebble Mine project

Pebble Mine Alaska: after the controversial development journey of this mining proposal, does Joe Biden's recent election win spell the end?

www.mining-technology.com

I did not read this whole piece but it will be news to many here I am sure.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Does Google Earth update often enough to show the current strip mines/scarred land from these projects in Africa and elsewhere? I’m not a techy person so just asking?

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I live in one of the key communities in the Pebble fracas. I have caribou hunted in the specific area of the proposed mine, though many years before it was preposed. The vast majority of folks here are strongly against it.

 

[TucsonFX4]

Does Google Earth update often enough to show the current strip mines/scarred land from these projects in Africa and elsewhere? I’m not a techy person so just asking?

I think the satellite image updates happen every couple/few years. So an image may be updated tomorrow or in 2026, who knows. Maybe there is more of a pattern to it to know when an image will be updated, but I haven’t figured it out or heard of it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The images on google earth are about 1985 - 2013.
This is one of the congregate cattle corrals (2700 feet across) in this "pristine" area being explored.

 

[fourfive8]

by @TTundra, "I live in one of the key communities in the Pebble fracas. I have caribou hunted in the specific area of the proposed mine, though many years before it was preposed. The vast majority of folks here are strongly against it."

Exactly, so far enough voices have been heard to hold off the Canada-based gold/precious metal mining company from proceeding on the Pebble mine. At least in the US, the push back has been heard and is holding. It appears that similar push back in the case of the Canada-based exploration/oil company in Namibia/Bostwana has been ignored. But apparently a google earth view of village farm and grazing plots is all that is needed to make judgment about the problem?? Huh.

Here is a comparably scaled satellite view of the proposed Pebble mine site west of Lake Illiamna AK (TTundra's backyard). Looks like worthless, barren, regolithic dry tundra in the middle nowhere- huh. Those without a clue would think so!

 

[TucsonFX4]

This topic appears to be a bit too sensitive to discuss openly. It may be best to unwatch and move on.

 

[Traveler1]

I read the whole article and have read several others written by organizations in the last months concerning ReconAfrica. I am all for drilling, as I have been in the Oil and Gas Industry for the last 20 years in Texas and at the same time I am a conservationist and hunter. That being said, there are several items wrong and right with this article. As @BRICKBURN point out the area of the padsite(s) don't look to be "pristine" forest and you can see that in the pictures. I can believe that some the areas that we cleared for the seismic trucks were untouched lands. Note, you don't need 60' strips for the Seismic trucks, thats an over kill. The article did not say if the seismic was going to be done with dynamite or vibroseis trucks, this will create some controversial as well. As for the reserve pits not being lined in plastic, Texas does not require this. Quote straight Texas Railroad Commission "Railroad Commission rules require an operator to take precautions to prevent pollution of surface and subsurface water, but RRC rules do not include specific requirements for plastic liners in drilling pits and water pits for hydraulic fracturing. Many operators use liners in areas where the soil is permeable. Local governments also may require the use of lined pits."
Depending on the location, you can line the pit with impermeable layer of commercial clay to prevent fluids from entering the soil or groundwater. I don't know if the Namibia government required plastic lining. As for the other issues this article and others bring up, it appears ReconAfrica did not follow the requirements that Enviromental permit required, ask for forgiveness later and was granted retroactively. This kinda of rectroactive approval is bullshit. Why even have requirements? This might as well be "Spindletop Days" when there was almost no regulations as the industry was in infancy.

​

 

[MarkB]

As a Canadian and not currently proud to be with our DICKtator currently representing us. I am not surprised that a Canadian company is doing what is possibly stated. But maybe the greenies knocked them out of our own oil patch and demand is still there?

I blame nobody, I put over $200 in gas in my boat today. Sure am glad it came out of the pump so I could fish. Some would think it better to have no gas pump fuel and save some of our planet. (Not me)

There are bad for this earth practices in every Country, sorry but demand needs to be supplied by some company, Canada has more dept to re-pay than ever before.

My 2c.

MB

 

[Nevada Mike]

I doubt many members here have ever heard of the Pebble Mine deal.

Gotta call bullshit on this comment. Well known and notorious.