While mining does create jobs, for communities that are dependent upon the mining industry they can resemble ghost towns when they close. Often people not only depend on the government or mining owners for their jobs, but also their water and transportation. Mining can contaminate water so that it is undrinkable and people are left to walk for miles looking for a fresh supply. Toxins used in the extraction process such as cyanide and byproducts like mercury can permanently pollute the land and water which affects peoples ability to farm, hunt or fish. Spills into oceans and lakes from mining cause damage by adding toxic heavy metals and sulfuric acid to the environment which leaves damage that can take thousands of years to repair.
Other factors that contribute to poverty are:
- Work related injuries, deaths and lung cancer. When family members die early or are disabled it makes it hard for one parent to provide properly for their children.
- When the government owns and manages mines, they tend to take over and prevent other industries from thriving such as agriculture, fishing and manufacturing.
Solutions to improve mining conditions have been pursued and many more people are demanding more acceptable working conditions. If peoples rights for working and living in a healthy environment are not insisted upon, we will lose not only more people but animals and damage our land and ecosystem further.
There are 21 jewelry retailers that have endorsed golden rules to improve conditions both socially and environmentally.
The Golden Rules:
- Respect for basic human rights outlined in international conventions and law
- Free, prior, and informed consent of affected communities.
- Safe working conditions
- Respect for workers' rights and labor standards (including the eight core ILO conventions)
- Ensure that operations are not located in areas of armed or militarized conflict
- Ensure that projects do not force communities off their lands.
- No dumping of mine wastes into the ocean, rivers, lakes, or streams
- Ensure that projects are not located in protected areas, fragile ecosystems or other areas of high conservation or ecological value
- Ensure that projects do not generate sulfuric acid in perpetuity
- Cover all costs of closing down and cleaning up mine sites
- Fully disclose information about social and environmental effects of projects
- Allow independent verification of the above
Reference: (nodirtygold.org, Feb.2007 & Mining Watch Canada, Feb.13, 2007)
Related Article: Mining Creates Dirty Gold
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