The world’s biggest mining companies must improve their human rights record and step up efforts to curb environmental damage, the Responsible Mining Foundation has said in its first review of global mining practices.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Thomson Reuters Foundation/ts
Español
es
Índice de Responsabilidad Minera: revelaciones incómodas
The Responsible Mining IndexExternal link, launched in Geneva on Wednesday, assesses the policies and practices of 30 large companies that produce 25% of the world’s mined commodities, from gold to copper and coal, operating in more than 40 countries.
Many have established good policies on some issues such as tackling corruption and limiting planet-warming emissions, a report based on the index said.
But most have taken little action in other areas, including monitoring how mining affects children and protecting female workers from harassment and sexual exploitation, it added.
More
More
Glencore revelations increase pressure on commodities industry
This content was published on
Paradise Papers Glencore allegations increase pressure on commodity extraction sector.
Hélène Piaget, CEO of the Responsible Mining Foundation, said the results showed many companies had introduced responsible mining policies but these were not always “translated into effective actions”.
The report said responsible mining was a “realistic goal”. But the adverse consequences of mining minerals and metals, such as high worker fatalities, prevent many companies from achieving the standards society expects from the industry, it added.
Across the 30 companies, 331 workplace deaths were reported in 2015 and 2016, it noted.
The winner is…
The index ranked companies on six operational areas, including working conditions, environmental responsibility and ethical business conduct.
Multinational mining firm Anglo American was the strongest performer overall due to its investment in the economies of producing countries, human-rights due diligence, and engagement with local communities, the report said.
An Anglo American spokesman said the company had launched a new sustainability strategy focused on diversity, gender equality and environmental responsibility.
Last year it introduced a code of conduct for all employees that encourages responsible mining, he added.
Nearly two-thirds of companies scored well on at least one area of the index, but performed badly on others. AngloGold Ashanti, for example, ranked first for working conditions but was not in the top ten for economic development.
Raise awareness
The index, due to be updated every two years, aims to provide investors, governments, local communities and others with a knowledge database about each company’s practices, boosting transparency.
Piaget said the foundation hoped its index would lead to more informed dialogue between mining companies, investors, civil society and communities affected by mining.
“We also anticipate that the index will raise awareness among companies of what society expects from [them],” she added.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Coping with the dark side of coal
This content was published on
Even without any workday traffic to stir it up, the red dust stings my eyes. But I’m lucky. I can blink a few times – or drive away – and the problem will disappear. Not so for the people living near Belfast in the north-eastern state of Mpumalanga, about 230 kilometres east of Johannesburg. Maria…
Diplomacy – plus commodities – elevate Swiss role on Iran
This content was published on
Switzerland's importance in the overlapping worlds of diplomacy and commodities trading ensure it will have a front seat when Iran's markets open.
Glencore accused of ‘slavery’ like conditions by DRC union
This content was published on
A few days ago, representatives of industriALL met with around 80 workers at the Kolwezi cobalt mines operated by Glencore in DRC. They complained of conditions that amounted to “no less than slavery” insudtriALL said in a press statementExternal link on Thursday. The workers mentioned regular threats of dismissal, poor health and safety practices, occupational…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.