On Monday, Sept. 18, Catherine Coumans, Ph. D. from MiningWatch Canada came to Michigan Tech to talk about “Global Mining and Indigenous Communities – Human Rights and Environmental Responsibilities.”... Tailings can be highly toxic and pollute water or wind... After the mining, the smelting and refining processes introduce additional issues including sulfur dioxide emissions and the release of other toxins into the environment. Even after a mine is closed, it continues to pollute, as toxic acid solutions seep into the ground and surface water... Miners account for about one percent of global employment, but five percent of work-related deaths... Indigenous rights are often suppressed in favor of mining. [refers to Inco in New Caledonia, Platinex in Canada, TVI Pacific in Philippines]