A report commissioned by the Friends of the Chilkat and Klehini Rivers predicts the social impacts of mining projects on small communities.
The report was completed by Thomas Power of Power Consulting a Montana-based company. It draws from about 24 studies Appalachia, Canada, and Australia.
The report suggests that mines in rural communities tend to be followed by increased rates of crime, substance abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. The studies also suggest that the influx of workers leads to decreased availability of local services and larger income differentials.
The full report is available at the Haines Public Library.
For more information, see the following news article: