Tag Archives: mining

by | December 17, 2012 · 10:40 am

El Salvador: Life is worth more than gold

Landscape of El Salvador

Landscape of El Salvador

A reflection from El Salvador

Mining for precious metals like gold and silver presents El Salvador with a seemingly difficult dilemma.  How do you choose between generating wealth and employment through mineral exploitation or protecting the environment in the interests of humanity?

By its nature, mining forces a choice between two distinct and opposing things: gold or life.  In El Salvador they aren’t compatible.  It is important to be clear about this, because some people are confused or hide the truth to promote their own interests.  Continue reading →

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by | September 7, 2012 · 2:33 pm

Philippines: Indigenous leader’s son shot

Jordan Manda

Jordan Manda

Clodagh Byrne, from our Cambodia office writes

Some very sad news to share from CAFOD’s programme in the Philippines. On the morning of Tuesday, 4th September, 11-year-old Jordan Manda, the son of an Indigenous tribal leader, Timuay Locencio Manda, was shot by unidentified assailants on his way to school with his father.  Jordan suffered a fatal wound on the back instantly killing him. Timuay Manda suffered minor wounds and is now safe. 

Please keep Jordan Manda’s family in your prayers>> Continue reading →

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by | June 11, 2012 · 9:01 am

Open up the books: Project-by-project reporting is vital

When will people in developing countries benefit from the wealth beneath their feet?

When will people in developing countries benefit from the wealth beneath their feet?

Twelve organisations, including CAFOD, signed a letter in the Financial Times, 11 June 2012, calling for project-by-project reporting. Read the letter below, and join our Open up the books campaign.

Email UK government ministers now to back our  call for companies to open up their books >>

Sir, The Publish What You Pay coalition of transparency activists has consistently highlighted the substantial contribution oil, gas and mining companies can make to countries in need of revenues for development. For this reason we welcome industry support for new European Union tax disclosure rules (“Project-by-project reporting will not allow citizens to ‘follow the money’ ”, Letters, 6 June). However, this opposition to publishing payments for each oil/mining project is based on a series of misunderstandings. Continue reading →

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by | January 25, 2010 · 9:17 am

Philippines: BHP Billiton moves out, Unearth Justice moves on

So, BHP Billiton, the world’s mining industry numero uno; whose CEO receives an annual salary and benefits package that could feed all residents of Macambol for many, many years; has given up its stake at the Pujada Nickel Project in Macambol, Mati, Davao Oriental.

The formidable “enemy of the people” of Macambol is finally moving out of their lives.

But what does this really mean?

Some in the global mining sector were baffled by this development. They wonder why BHP Billiton is making major changes in its nickel subsidiary, totally abandoning two nickel mining operations in Indonesia and the Philippines; and selling other nickel- related businesses. Continue reading →

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by | November 25, 2009 · 11:51 am

Honduras: Vision of hope for climate justice

Pedro LandaIn December, when world leaders meet in Copenhagen for crucial climate change talks, they will be discussing an issue on which the future of my country – and of humanity – depends.

The mountainous landscape of Honduras makes us extremely vulnerable to extremes of climate.

We only have two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. Every year we see that the dry season is getting longer.

Right now we are experiencing one of the longest and hottest summers. The rivers are totally dry, crops are completely lost and many people have to walk up to15 kilometres just to find water to drink. Continue reading →

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