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Article

1 Apr 2012

Author:
Chantal Peyer and François Mercier, Bread for all and the Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund

[PDF] Glencore in the Democratic Republic of Congo: profit before human rights and the environment

Bread for all and the Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, in collaboration with Congolese non-governmental organisations (NGOs)...carried out research in order to learn more about the impact of the Swiss company's activities [Glencore] in Katanga...This investigation...deepens and expands the analysis on several points, in particular the situation of the artisanal miners...the firm's impact on the environment...the working conditions in the industrial mines...and the taxation of Glencore and its subsidiaries...Working conditions...are appalling: child labour, accidents, problems of hygiene...The results show massive pollution...in particular by acid...the water in the canal, which discharges the waste water into the river, is black and smells of rotten eggs...the water burns the skin and the irritation is persistent...the consultation...did not meet the standards set down by law and did not permit those consulted to understand the full implications, defend their interests and follow up the commitments made by the company...Glencore is one of the companies making the most use of tax havens...[Also refers to Anglo America, Chemaf, Chemoil Energy, Century Aluminum, Freeport-McMoRan, Gecamines, George Forrest, Groupe Bazano, Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), Katanga Mining, Misa Mining, Mopani Copper Mine, Mutanda Mining, Samref Congo, TFM: Tenke Fungurume (joint venture Freeport-McMoRan, Lundin, Gécamines), UC Rusal, Xstrata]. [The Resource Centre invited Glencore to respond to this report; as a response, Glencore sent us the statement below].