Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation » mining

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.

Fall 2010 Issue of the JPIC Report Available

christina — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:19:42 +0000

Read the new issue of the JPIC Report. If you are not receiving a hard copy in the mail and would like to, please contact the JPIC Office by emailing Mary O’Herron.

Read the Fall 2010 JPIC Report (Download PDF)

A Big Victory for Congo and Extractive Industries Transparency in the US Financial Reform Bill

christina — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:11:09 +0000

On July 15, the United States Senate voted 60-39 to approve the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. President Obama is expected to sign the measure into law next week. While the text of the financial reform act fills more than 2,300 pages, the many rules and regulations needed to implement it have not yet been written. This work by U.S. regulators is expected to take months, possibly years.

The legislation included an important provision requiring energy and mining companies to disclose how much they pay to foreign countries and the U.S. government for oil, gas, and minerals. The provision, based on the Energy Security through Transparency Act (S. 1700), will require companies registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to disclose payments to foreign governments for the commercial development of oil, natural gas, and minerals. This disclosure will apply to all companies filing with the SEC, regardless of where they are based, meaning that most of the world’s top extractive industries would be covered by this law. Thanks go to Senators Dick Lugar (R-Indiana) and Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) for insuring this provision made it into the legislation. The law will set a new international standard for transparency in the extractive industry.

Inclusion of the Congo Conflict Mineral amendment in the financial reform act is another important victory, especially for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, faith groups and human right advocates. This provision is based on the Congo Conflict Mineral Act 2009 (S.891) and will require companies to disclose whether they source conflict minerals from Democratic Republic of Congo or neighboring countries. It will also require companies to report on steps taken to exclude conflict sources from their supply chains. These reports will be backed by independent audits.

The conflict minerals measure requires the U.S. State Department to develop a map of mines controlled by militias operating in the mining area and to develop a detailed plan to address the problem. Kudos to Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Reps. Jim McDermott (D-WA), Howard Berman (D-CA), and Barney Frank (D-MA), along with many other upstanding members of Congress, who deserve special praise for leading this battle over the past two years.

President Obama will sign the Dodd Frank Reform and Consumer Protection bill into law next week. From the day, the Securities and Exchange Commission will have nine months to develop regulations implementing the new law. It will be up to all of us – especially the faith groups, community advocates and human right groups – to ensure that these regulations are as strong as possible.

Law to Protect Philippine Environment from Destructive Mining Operations

christina — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:45:47 +0000

On June 29, 2010, Governor Avance-Fuentes of South Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines signed into law Resolution No. 84 “Enacting the Environment Code of the Province of South Cotabato”. This code bans open pit mining. It talks about the need for genuine consultation with affected indigenous people as well as for protection of the environment, particularly of local water supplies. Multiple concerns about the damaging effects of open pit mining underlay the Governor’s decision to sign the law. This was a courageous decision as she was under serious political pressure from a powerful politician with mining interests not to do so.

The Governor, in her signing statement, said: “When the rivers dry up, the aquifers no longer supply clean water, and pollution contaminate our waters, can we, in conscience, face the future generation? Is it not that we duty bound to actively ensure the sustainability of our natural resources for the next generation’s survival?”

Read Governor Avance-Fuentes’ Signing Statement…

Canadian Ruling on Mines and Environmental Impacts Hailed in Central America

christina — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:10:30 +0000

Ecologists in Guatemala see a recent ruling by Canada’s Supreme Court, which ordered Canadian mining companies to carry out rigorous environmental assessments, as a positive precedent that could help improve environmental controls over the mining industry in this Central American country.

In a case that focused on a Red Chris mining company project in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could not split projects into artificially small parts in order to avoid comprehensive environmental impact studies.

Learn more…

Support the Energy Security Through Transparency Act of 2009

christina — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:57:31 +0000

The Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700), also called the ESTT Act was introduced in September 2009 and needs your support!

The ESTT Act requires gas, oil and mineral companies registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange to disclose payments to foreign governments for the commercial extraction of oil, natural gas and minerals.

The measure was introduced by Senators Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), along with co-sponsors Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Sheldon Whitehouse(D-RI). This bill is currently in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee.

Why is the bill necessary for people in developing nations and investors in developed nations?

There is a culture of revenue corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement in the oil and gas and mining industries. Oil supplied by developing countries, especially Africa and Latin America, to the United States is characterized by a lack of transparency, corruption and control by military regimes and political elites which have contributed to internal conflicts and high poverty rates.

The Missionary Oblates JPIC office welcome the introduction of the Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700) as a vital step toward bringing transparency to the extractive industries sector in developing countries where secrecy in natural resource revenues weakens the fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS. This bill would help investors in developed nations such the U.S.-based Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), where Missionary Oblates are members to hold international oil and gas companies more accountable.

Which companies will be covered by the ESTT Act?

This ESTT Act would require country by country reporting of businesses engaged in extractive industries. The bill would cover both US and a majority of international extractive companies, including those based in Africa, Europe, China, Brazil, Australia and Asia that are listed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The ESTT Act is significant step towards transparency in extractives industries for developing nations because it will empower ordinary people and civil society organizations with access to basic information concerning extractive industry revenue. This is critical in order to hold governments and international companies accountable. The ESTT Act would also help identify companies that shift profits among their subsidiaries in order to avoid paying taxes in countries of operation, thereby denying developing countries needed revenue to combat poverty.

Congressional Hearings

A hearing, “Keeping Foreign Corruption out of the United States: Four Case Histories” was held in February by the U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee On Investigations (PSOI); which analyzed cases involving political officials and individuals from Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Nigeria, and Gabon. This hearing coincided with a 330-page report “Keeping Foreign Corruption out of the United States: Four Case Histories,” that detailed how officials in Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria funneled millions of dollars into the US with the help of facilitators. This enables corrupt officials to steal their countries’ wealth, denying their citizens vital resources that should be used for health care, education, and essential economic development.

Get Involved

The Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700) has being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. To make sure this bill (S.1700) remains a priority on the congressional agenda, you are invited to get involved by asking your Senator to co-sponsor the Energy Security through Transparency Act of 2009 (S.1700).