231014 Rock of gold

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 12:35 PM - 1:10 PM

Mary Ackley, MS Natural Resources Managament , Rubenstein School of Natural Resources & Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Saleem, H. Ali, Associate Professor of Environmental Planning and Asian Studies , Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
While gold mining may provide livelihoods for some remote communities, it also raises serious environmental and health concerns due to land disturbance and the use of ore processing chemicals. It is important for mining communities to understand the risks and benefits of mining, particularly in developing countries where lack of environmental legislation may hinder corporate accountability. This film tells Vatukoula's story, documenting the environmental and health risks created by the gold mining industry over seven decades. Vatukoula also happens to be located only a few miles from the source of one of the world's most recognized brands of bottled water, FIJI Water. While pristine water is being bottled and shipped across the globe, the community of Vatukoula has been struggling for decades for simple access to clean drinking water. This film explores the complex connections between industry, community and the global environment from the local Fijian perspective, and offers lessons for communities that are struggling to harness the wealth from their natural resources while striving for sustainable development.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1)Describe some of the major environmental and occupational health risks associated with gold mining.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Native and Indigenous Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be a video/media Author on the content I am responsible for because I conducted indpendent academic research on the environmental and health risks of gold mining in Fiji as part of my Master's thesis research at the University of Vermont.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.