New report by Responsible Mining Foundation calls on mining companies to show commitment to human rights defenders protection
‘Human rights defenders: are mining companies playing their part?’, 22 July, 2020
The number of threats... and killings of... defenders is growing, particularly in relation to mining...and extractives projects… The latest RMI Report 2020 reveals that most companies fail to demonstrate even a commitment to respect the internationally accepted rights and protections accorded to... defenders. [D]efenders play a vitally important role in standing up against human rights abuses that can be associated with the presence of mining operations... The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the risks faced by defenders…[C]onfinement and emergency measures have been accompanied by increased surveillance, harassment...or arrests of defenders. All mining companies, whether or not their operations have been associated with attacks on defenders, suffer the reputational impacts they generate and can face years’ long negative perceptions... from local stakeholders, investors and financiers… 85%... have not made any form of commitment to specifically respect the rights of... defenders… [Refers to AngloGold Ashanti, Antofagasta, ArcelorMittal, BHP, Banpu, Barrick Gold, Bumi Resources, China Shenhua Energy, Coal India, Codelco, Compañia de Minas Buenaventura, Evraz, Exxaro, First Quantum Minerals, Fortescue Metals Group, Freeport-McMoRan, Glencore, Gold Fields, Grupo México, Industrias Penoles, Minerals and Metals Group, Newcrest Mining, Orano, Peabody Energy, Polymetal International, RUSAL, Rio Tinto, Sibanye-Stillwater, Teck Resources, Vale, Vedanta Resources and Zijin].