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Report argues mining industry is profiting from COVID-19 while putting workers, communities & defenders at risk; including co responses
A report published by a coalition of civil society organisations (Earthworks, Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program, London Mining Network, MiningWatch Canada, Terra Justa, War on Want, and Yes to Life No to Mining) analyses through a series of case studies key trends in the mining sector's response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The report finds that:
- Mining companies are ignoring the real threats of the pandemic and continuing to operate
- Governments around the world are taking extraordinary measures to shut down legitimate protests and promote the mining sector
- Mining companies are using the pandemic as an opportunity to hide themselves as public-minded actors despite poor human rights and environmental track record
- Mining companies and governments are using the crisis to secure regulatory change that favours the industry at the expense of people and planet
The report was followed with a statement signed by over 300 organisations condemning the mining industry's behaviour during the pandemic.
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited companies mentioned in the report to respond.
This story includes responses from:
- Yamana Gold response
- Teck Resources response
- Polyus response
- Barrick Gold response
- Dalradian Resources response
- Torex Gold response
- OceanaGold response
- Pan American Silver response
- Hudbay Minerals response
- Alamos Gold response
- Newcrest Mining response
- Lundin Gold response
- Imperial Oil response
- Solaris Resources response
- Anglo American response
- Vale response