Very true. Whenever I hear people bleat on about how North America is such a resource friendly and safe jurisidction I think about the following recent examples otherwise:

- New Prosperity

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taseko-new-prosperity-mine-at-fish-lake-rejected-again-1.2553002

- Pebble Project

http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/good_news_for_a_change_its_looking_like_the_pebble_mine_may_never_be_built

- Keystone XL Pipeline

(no introduction necessary)

- Northern Gateway Pipeline

(no introduction necessary)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/opposition-to-trans-mountain-pipeline-nearing-northern-gateway-levels/article4551051/

Ethiopia is a riskier environment geopolitically speaking. But from a government, regulatory, or environmental point of view it's a walk in the park compared to the North American regulatory marathon.