Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation » mining

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Churches

christina — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:03:11 +0000

Thanks to the European Africa Faith & Justice Network for the following information:

Bishops call for increased corporate transparency

Catholic bishops urge the European Union to legislate on extractive companies

While a group of EU member states, including Germany and the UK, are attempting to water down new EU transparency legislation, Catholic bishops from around the world urge the EU to push forward and require European Union-listed and large unlisted extractive companies to publicly disclose the payments they make to governments worldwide. In a joint statement, they say less stringent laws will fail to turn the curse of resource-rich developing countries into a blessing.

More information…

European Union Transparency Directive may have a positive impact on the lives of poor people

Mgr Joseph Banga from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) says the upcoming revision of the EU Transparency and Accounting Directives could have a positive impact on the lives of poor people living in resource-rich developing countries. If EU companies are required to report on a country-by-country and project-by-project basis on their financial dealings with host governments, citizens will be able to monitor the management of their natural resources.

Learn more…

Watch the video interview Mgr Joseph Banga from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [in French with English subtitles]:

World Religious leaders protest against attitudes of mining companies

In many places around the world, religious leaders are protesting against mining companies and projects. What are their complaints? In Chad, that revenues intended to ease the pain of poverty are nowhere to be seen; in the DRC and in Nigeria that mining feeds devastating conflicts; in Ghana that mining in forest reserves threatens animal and plant species. The underlying story is one of broken promises, of powerful companies whose God is profit and of a wounded planet whose resources are despoiled harming the people who live nearby. On April 24, bishops, preachers, and advocates gathered at the Washington National Cathedral to explore how they might join forces both to draw attention to the harm that bad mining practices wreak on people and land, and to point to practical, positive ways to move forward. The Missionary Oblate JPIC Office was instrumental in organizing the conference.

Impacts of Mining Exhibit at the UN hosted by VIVAT International

christina — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:34:32 +0000

The Missionary Oblates and VIVAT International will host a multi-media exhibit on the impacts of mining operations on people and ecosystems around the world on May 8th at the United Nations. This unique exhibit will be up for viewing from 11:00-3:00 pm in the Chapel at the Church Center for the United Nations. May 8th is the second day of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the theme of which is the Doctrine of Discovery. The exhibit organizers have reached out through their global faith-based networks for stories and images from local communities affected by mining operations. If you are in New York on May 8th, please attend!

Goals of the exhibit include:

Bearing witness to the suffering of the Earth and its peoples as a consequence of extractive industry abuses;
Underscoring the necessity of industry standards in preventing mining abuses; and
Revealing the courageous resistance of peoples all over the world to inadequate extractive industry standards.

At 2:30, there will be a special 15 minute commemoration of those who have been murdered around the world as a result due to their community resistance against the consequences of extractive industry on their communities.

Event details (Download PDF)

Developing a Multi-Faith Global Statement on Extractives Industries

christina — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:54:19 +0000

On April 24, Oblate Bishop Dinualdo Guttierez OMI from Philippines and Bishop Bejoy D’ Cruze OMI from Bangladesh joined the JPIC staff in attending a conference designed to develop a multi-faith global statement on extractives industries. The meeting was held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Participants came from major faith groups and leading international NGOs from all continents. A multi-faith global statement on extractives will serve as a shared common document that people of faith can use when dealing with issues of extractives. The meeting was initiated and facilitated by the Bank Information Center and the Oblate JPIC office.

Participants in the April 2012 Multifaith Conference on Extractives Industries

Shareholders, NGOs, raise questions about Newmont Mining’s social and environmental risks at company’s Annual General Meeting

christina — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:13:20 +0000

Shareholders and NGOs at the Newmont Mining annual meeting in Wilmington, DE on Tuesday, April 24, questioned company senior management and the Board of Directors about the operational and reputational risks Newmont faces in Peru, and emphasized the need for the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of local communities where Newmont operates. In addition, the group strongly encouraged additional disclosure by the company on its environmental and social guidelines and practices, including Board oversight of these issues. The Missionary Oblates are involved in the dialog with Newmont, with particular concerns about the company’s operations in Peru, the Congo and Indonesia.

In 2007, in response to a shareholder proposal filed by members of The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), Newmont agreed to conduct a global review of its policies and practices related to community opposition in its mining operations. At this year’s annual shareholder meeting, the lead proponent of that proposal, Julie Tanner, Assistant Director of Socially Responsible Investing at Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS), expressed frustration over Newmont’s lack of disclosure on the implementation its Community Relations Review (CRR).

“The issue of accountability to stakeholders is critical and one which drove shareholders to request the evaluation of community relationships, including aspects of potential conflict and opposition. We ask the Newmont Board to publicly disclose to stakeholders, including shareholders, how it is overseeing implementation of the CRR, and the goals, benchmarks and indicators used to assess progress,” said Tanner.

In May 2009, the “Community Relationships Summary Report” was released that included an extensive review of recommendations to improve Newmont’s policies and practices relating to its relationships with local communities. According to the company’s website, the findings revealed that Newmont “must improve its relationships with local communities; build its capacity to resolve conflict and address grievances; and develop global policies, standards and programs that better guide its behaviors.”

“Three years ago, shareholders commended Newmont for its commitment to address the root causes of community conflict through review of its policies and practices regarding relationships in the communities in which it operates,” said Cathy Rowan, Corporate Responsibility Coordinator for the Maryknoll Sisters. “Until now, we do not know if implementation of the CRR has made any difference. Is the company able to demonstrate that community opposition has been reduced? In fact, given the situation the company faces today with the Conga Mine in Peru, we wonder if community conflicts are ‘the new normal’ for Newmont, and are concerned about Newmont’s ability to maintain a social license in Peru, and other countries where it has operations– currently or in the future.”

The shareholders addressed Newmont’s Board regarding how the company intends to ensure the long-term viability of its operations in Peru. At Newmont’s proposed Minas Conga mine in the northern Cajamarca region of Peru, community groups have voiced opposition to the project due to the quantity of water used and the potential for water pollution in the fragile watershed area. Construction has been halted since November 2011 after protests culminated in a shooting incident by the Peruvian National Police. A state of emergency was declared by the National Government in four districts within the Cajamarca Department on December 5th 2011 and was lifted on December 15th.

Nick Magel of the environmental group Earthworks, representing the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, said: ” Newmont has an opportunity to demonstrate real social and environmental leadership by adopting a free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process that is implemented through independent and credible means. Newmont’s failure to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities in Peru and elsewhere has turned into a reputational and financial liability for the company.” By Newmont’s own estimates at the time the project was suspended in November 2011, project delays cost the company $2 million per day, which the company has attempted to reduce.

This is not the first time that issues regarding community consent and water use and quality have surfaced at Newmont’s gold mining operations in Peru. In 2004, Newmont suspended plans to develop a gold mine at Cerro Quilish following weeks of protests and opposition by local communities. At the time, Newmont issued a statement in Peruvian newspapers stating, “We wish to express our willingness to always listen to the feelings of the people of Cajamarca, acknowledge our mistakes and promote positive change in our behavior to reconstruct our relationship with the population.”

Last month, the investor research firm ECPI last month conferred an “F” grade to Newmont, as it has every year since 2007, due to serious social and governance concerns, writing: “In the last decade, community protests occurred in the Newmont Mining sites in Indonesia, Ghana and Peru because of severe environmental pollution caused by the mine tailings and waste disposal contaminating community water sources, as well as poor health and safety labor conditions. These severe impacts have prompted communities’ demonstrations and complaints against land grabbing and poor compensation for the damages caused by the mine operations.”

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For more information, contact:

Julie Tanner, Christian Brothers Investment Services, 917-723-7702

Cathy Rowan, Maryknoll Sisters, 718-822-0820

Nick Magel, Earthworks, 419-283-2728

Payal Sampat, Earthworks, 202-247-1180

April Newbrief from the JPIC Commission Office in Rome

christina — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:26:43 +0000

The Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation USG/UISG Secretariat has issued their Newsbrief for April. The newsletter is available in English and Spanish. Useful resources given on mining, land grabbing, water and more…

Updates on Events and Resources from the JPIC Commission Office in Rome

christina — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:53:46 +0000

The following is a list of useful upcoming JPIC events and resources:

A course on Catholic Social Teaching (in Spanish): A comprehensive written course on Catholic Social Teaching, prepared for University students, was written and published in Latin America. It can be downloaded at: http://www.kas.de/sopla/es/publications/29414/

JPIC Promoter’s Formation Course in the USA: An intensive week-long seminar for JPIC Congregation promoters takes place at Saint Mary’s Notre Dame, Indiana from June 3-10. The brochure is due out in February. For more information, go to http://www.holycrossjustice.org/JusticeCraft/JusticeCraft.asp

Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves: On December 7th the US Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Kris Balderston, gave a briefing at the US Embassy to the Vatican on The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves Initiative. This project encourages the development and use of clean cookstoves. The alliance ‘100 by 20’ calls for 100 million homes to adopt clean efficient stoves and fuels by 2020. 2 million people die each year from exposure to cookstove smoke. For more information go to the following web sites:

2014 The International Year of Family Farming (IYFF): On December 23rd, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2014 to be the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF). For more information go to:

In English: http://www.familyfarmingcampaign.net/noticias/ver.asp?id=en&pag=&Nnoticia=381072685
In Spanish: http://www.familyfarmingcampaign.net/default.asp?id=es
In French: http://www.familyfarmingcampaign.net/default.asp?id=fr

World Inter-Faith Harmony Week (Feb 1-7): The United Nations (UN) on October 20, 2010 recognizing the need for dialogue among different faiths and religions and their contribution for peace in the world, proclaimed the first week of February of every year the “World Inter-Faith Harmony Week” between all religions, faiths and beliefs. For more information go to, http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/

Useful Resources:

World Peace Day Message (2012): ‘Educating Young People in Justice and Peace’ for copies go to:

Holy Cross JPIC: Check out the Holy Cross International Justice office web site at: http://www.holycrossjustice.org/

Environmental Justice: For an article that makes the link between the Virgin of Guadalupe and Environmental Justice, go to: http://franciscanaction.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/the-virgin-of- guadalupe-and-the-call-to-environmental-justice-part-ii/

Earth Charter: For News and updates on the Earth Charter in English, Spanish and French at http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/

Mining Watch: MiningWatch Canada is a pan-Canadian initiative. Go to: http://www.miningwatch.ca/home

Justice Jottings: A Marianist Social Justice Web page. Go to: http://www.msjc.net/Justice%20Jottings/Justice%20Jottings%20-%20December%20%2710.aspx

Defenders of Indigenous Peoples: For reflections (in Spanish) on two Dominican (Antonio de Montisinos and Bartolomé de las Casas) defenders of Indigenous peoples in Latin America at the time of the conquest, go to http://www.redescristianas.net/2011/10/30/el-grito-de-montesinos-ayer-y-hoyvictor-codina-sj-sacerdote-jesuita-teologo/ and http://blogs.periodistadigital.com/xpikaza.php/2011/12/09/dom-11-xi-11-todos-estais-en-pecado-mort

Ethically Responsible investment: To read an article (in English) entitled ‘Investing with a Clear Conscience’ go to http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8853/Investing-with-a-clear-conscience.aspx

Renewing the Face of the Earth: Lenten Reflections on Air: For copies of an 8 page booklet by the SHCJs go to: http://www.shcj.org/amer/documents/2012LentReflectionBookAir_001.pdf

Latin America Church Conference on Mining Issues Final Document

christina — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:19:43 +0000

Oblates at Seminario Internationale in Peru June 2011

Oblates from Bolivia, Peru and the United States participated in an international conference on Extractive Industries focused on “the problem of natural resources in Latin America and the mission of the church”. The conference was organized and sponsored by the Justice and Solidarity Department of CELAM (Bishops Conference of Latin America) and MISEREOR at a retreat center in Chaclacayo – Lima – Peru, June 14 – 16 2011.

The conference final document is available in Spanish.

Learn more…

Oblates at International Conference on Mining and the Church in Latin America

christina — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:04:38 +0000

Oblates from Bolivia, Peru and the United States have participated in an international conference on Extractive Industries focused on “the problem of natural resources in Latin America and the mission of the church”. The conference was organized and sponsored by the Justice and Solidarity Department of CELAM (Bishops Conference of Latin America) and MISEREOR at a retreat center in Chaclacayo – Lima – Peru, June 14 – 16 2011.

Roberto Carrasco Rojas OMI, Edgar Nolasco OMI from the Oblate mission of St Clothilde, Peru, Gilberto Pauwels OMI from Oruro in Bolivia and Séamus Finn OMI from the USP JPIC office in Washington DC joined more than 70 participants from the diocese and communities situated on the front lines of the extraordinary expansion of the extractive industries in Latin America.

Extractive industries, including mining and petroleum, are under new pressure to respond to the increasing global demand for minerals and energy. The skyrocketing price of basic commodities like gold is also an important driver in the increased demand for precious and rare metals. The development of new technologies and processes for exploration and extraction has made it possible for mining and oil companies to penetrate deeper into previously inaccessible areas. This penetration has brought them into contact and conflict with communities and areas previously untouched by their activities, especially those of indigenous peoples.

People from all levels of regions and communities, including bishops, priests, religious, indigenous, and campesinos shared their experiences during the opening days of the conference. These included the great suffering, destruction of livelihood and conflicts that have become a part of their daily lives as a result of this increased incursion of extractive industries. Affected countries include Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Guatemala and Colombia. Next steps will include analysis of the input from the opening session to be followed by proposals and recommendations for actions.

The seminar was organized to search for a way to position the challenges of the extractives industry in the mission of the church, the people of God, with the full knowledge of the actual state of this type of industry in its global dimensions and the social, political, ecological and economic character of its consequences; beginning from a doctrinal theological reflection that will guide the design of certain lines of pastoral action.

Socially Responsible Investors Submit Guidance for Conflict Minerals Rule

christina — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:41:09 +0000

The Oblates joined a large group of socially responsible investors in a letter providing specific comments to the SEC on the Conflict Mineral Provision 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Finance Reform Act.

Read the letter…

Congo Week of Action: October 17- 23

christina — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:30:29 +0000

The Missionary Oblates JPIC office joins millions around the world in commemorating the Congo Week of Action.

Faith communities, civil society groups in fifty countries and about two hundred universities will mark the week-long set of actions which is designed to raise awareness about the devastating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and mobilize support on behalf of the country’s people. It will take place from Sunday October 17 to Saturday October 23. 2010.

Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the largest and most neglected humanitarian crises today with more than six million deaths since 1998. Millions of people have been displaced and many thousands of women and children have been targeted in gender based violence and child soldier use, especially in the Eastern Democratic Republic Congo, where much of the fighting takes place. Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to vast natural resources – particularly mineral wealth – which unfortunately has fueled the conflict.

Members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are working in Democratic Republic of Congo and are engaged in parish ministry, teaching, education of youth, care of the sick, and assistance to prisoners. In solidarity with the Oblates in Congo, the Missionary Oblate Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation office continues to advocate for peace and engage U.S. corporations with mining operations in the DRC. As socially responsible investors, we have raised concerns with mining corporations about the impacts of their investment, especially as regards village re-settlements and human rights violations. The office also participates in a multi-stakeholder forum which consists of investors, companies and civil society groups on the issue of Congo conflict minerals.

Click here for details on how to participate in the Global Congo Week of Action.