The Falsehood of “Critical and Strategic” Minerals with Bonnie Gestring and Austin Ahmasuk
According to the Department of Energy, a “critical mineral” is defined as “Any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the Secretary of the Interior.” However, environmental justice advocates say this definition is the extraction industry’s latest attempt to reduce environmental and community health protections.
The label frames dangerous extractive practices as being essential to mineral demand in the U.S. and necessary for the transition to renewable energy. Lawmakers across the country have introduced industry-backed policy to evade environmental oversight under the camouflage of national security.
On Wednesday, October 25th at noon Alaska time, CHE-Alaska will be joined by Bonnie Gestring and Austin Ahmasuk to discuss the false framework of strategic minerals and how the mining industry uses this connotation to evade environmental impact reviews, permitting, and public comment processes.
Bonnie Gestring is Northwest Program Director for Earthworks where she leads Earthworks’ efforts to protect the environment from adverse effects of mining in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Washington states.
Austin Ahmasuk is Environmental Justice Co-Director with Native Movement where he works to secure greater equity and justice for Indigenous communities. A life of fishing, hunting, and trapping has given him traditional knowledge experience and connections to tribal communities in Alaska.
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Featured speakers
Bonnie Gestring is Northwest Program Director for Earthworks where she leads Earthworks’ efforts to protect the environment from adverse effects of mining in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Washington states.
Austin Ahmasuk is Environmental Justice Co-Director with Native Movement where he works to secure greater equity and justice for Indigenous communities. A life of fishing, hunting, and trapping has given him traditional knowledge experience and connections to tribal communities in Alaska.