Comes In “James Bay Steps Up as Oceana Bails: Monaro Lithium Project in Need of Champion

The Association of Oceana has declared they will not be participating in the James Bay Monaro Lithium Project. The decision comes after much scrutiny and thought as to the environmental impact that the project may cause. The Monaro project includes plans to mine for lithium and other minerals in an environment that is fragile and home to a variety of species. Both the local Indigenous community and environmentalists have voiced their concern, and Oceana has sided with them. Oceana’s decision not to participate in the project marks a major win for those who oppose the project, particularly as the Association was one of the potential bidder’s vying to extract the valuable minerals. Oceana’s spokesperson explained their decision in a statement, saying “We are concerned about the potential environmental impact of such a project, and so we have decided to opt out. We recognize the importance of the on-going protection of the James Bay environment, and we are delighted that our decision supports this.” The move has been embraced by the Indigenous people that inhabit the region, who have been vocal in their opposition to the project. A representative from the Dene Tha Government, which is a First Nations government, said in a statement “We thank Oceana for their conscientious approach to the Monaro project. We are pleased that Oceana shares our deep respect for the environment and values, and is willing to make the decision to step away from this project.” Environmental groups have also welcomed the decision, with one representative saying “It is encouraging to see a company show respect to the environment and its inhabitants by opting out of a project that would potentially do significant damage.” The James Bay Monaro Lithium Project has been the cause of much controversy, and Oceana’s decision not to participate shows that support for preserving the environment is still strong. This is a significant victory for those that wish to protect the of the region, and shows that businesses can still make the decision to do what is right, even when there are financial incentives to do otherwise.