Precious Metal Mining: From environmentally and socially destructive patterns to education and advocacy for responsible extraction and use

Transcription

1 Precious Metal Mining: From environmentally and socially destructive patterns to education and advocacy for responsible extraction and use The production of one gold ring generates 20 TONS of mine waste. Jocelyn Vache CRCRTH640: Research Proposal Prof. Peter Taylor University of Massachusetts - Boston December 20, 2010 Statement of Purpose Precious metal mining has a blemished track record. Lessening its impact on the environment, human health, communities, and local economies requires identifying responsible industry practices that could feasibly replace and/or revert current and past acts. As a metalsmith, I will use my findings to expand my responsible business practices by reducing my connection and contribution to irresponsible mining as well as use my role to educate the public and advocate for change. Background Issues Earthworks No Dirty Gold Campaign outlines four areas impacted by mining: environmental (poisoned waters, solid waste, polluted air, and threatened natural areas), community (endangered communities, disadvantaged women, violated human rights, and the toll on indigenous peoples), worker (a dangerous profession and undermined workers rights), and economic (economic and financial toll). (No Dirty Gold, 2010) Below I have summarized the issues they present. Air Since mined metal is not pure enough for industry standards, it must be refined in a smelter. These smelters contribute to air pollution more specifically lead dust, smog, and acid rain. Communities When a mine is developed, the local community is changed forever. In addition to the environmental issues, the influx in migrant workers results in various social problems. When the mine ultimately closes, it leaves the community with financial and political instability. Economic Impacts Economists refer to developing countries rich in minerals as having the resource curse. The beneficiaries of mining are the investment companies and central government. Since the materials do not stay in the

2 local communities, there is no job development. This results in stunted long-term growth. Human Rights Local and indigenous communities have not typically been asked for consent when mines are set-up. They lose their livelihood and are left with a polluted environment. Recently the concept of free, prior, and informed consent has been established internationally to protect human rights. Indigenous Peoples Since indigenous peoples generally do not own land in the western sense of the term, they are not seen as owners of the land that governments often offer up to mining companies. As a result, they have little political recourse to protect their homes and sacred lands. Natural Areas Mining threatens the environment and biodiversity. Most mining practices occur in lands designated as having high conservation value. Solid Waste A popular mining practice called heap leaching uses cyanide to extract gold from ore. The mass of gold extracted is so small that close to 100% of what is produced is waste, toxic waste. Water As mentioned above, cyanide is now a popular medium used to purify gold, those in 19 th century California preferred mercury. These along with other toxins and heavy metals are held in tailings, which are essentially dammed toxic ponds fated to eventually make their way into rivers, streams, bays, and other waters. Women Women s rights vary from country to country. Mines in developing countries impact women on various levels. They often cannot own land and cannot work in mines. This reinforces their dependence on men and exacerbates existing social problems and inequality. Worker Rights Many countries outlaw unions, and some of which allow them are rife with violations. Worker Safety Mining is dangerous for numerous reasons. The life expectancy of a miner is significantly lower than his or her non-mining counterpart. Countries Directly Affected Originally, I thought I would be focusing on just a few locations, but after my initial inquiry on the fallout from such mines, I see that many places

3 Significance Description are affected. So far, my research has led me to look into Ghana, Cambodia, Peru, Honduras, Armenia, Papua New Guinea, Guyana, Chile, Ecuador, Senegal, Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Suriname, Columbia, Bulgaria, United States, China, South Africa, Australia, Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Indonesia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, and Bolivia. I suspect that the list will grow as my research develops. Gold mining has never been clean. The San Francisco Bay area is still being affected from mercury used in the 1880 s. (USGS Western Ecological Research Center, 2010) Technological and engineering advances, however, allow for a wider range of pollution and destruction on a larger scale. Economic disparity has caused particular people and places to fall victim to the social, environmental, economical, and health effects of mining. Certain actions cannot be reversed: mountains reduced to rubble and dust cannot be rebuilt; however, perhaps they can be rehabilitated similarly to the former quarry that is now Haller Park (Lafarge Ecosystems, 2010). Some remedial actions are difficult and very costly but should not be ignored by those who created the problem, or by those of us who are in a position to promote change. Numerous tailings around the globe are waiting to seep out, or have, into waterways that support plant and animal life. Some actions have not yet been carried out, and may be modified or even prevented through the acts of responsible citizens. The most valuable research would be done on the Internet and in the media. After having identified the mining industry issues mentioned above, I now would like to research organizations that develop or promote ethical mining practices. Next, I would need to identify which mines have put these practices in use. Then, I would focus on the origin of the metal from my list of suppliers. Throughout the research process, I will note which resources I could post on my website to advocate for ethical practices, as well as how to take my personal action to a higher level. Methodology Through the links below, I would first amass a list of which mining practices are considered socioenvironmentally responsible. Then, I would look for proof of where these practices are consistently being followed through either the same sites or in various media outlets. US EPA Reducing Mercury Pollution from Gold Mining Institute for Sustainable Mining A US registered 501c3 non profit organization, bringing clean mining

4 technologies and capacity building to people and communities dependent on natural resources for their survival CASM: Communities and Small Scale Mining A global networking and coordination facility with a stated mission to to reduce poverty by improving the environmental, social and economic performance of artisanal and small-scale mining in developing countries. MiningWatch Canada Changing public policy and mining practices to ensure the health of individuals, communities and ecosystems in Canada and around the world Next, I would like to consider the claims of my suppliers and trace the mining origins of their metals, as well as note if they offer recycled metals while continuing to endorse draconian industry practices in other sectors of the company. o Earth Silver at the Thunderbird Supply Company - o Harmony Metals at Hoover and Strong - s/ o Rio Grande - ategory category_root 104=Metals&category cat_ =Silver&t=lp0 o Metalliferous - o Reactive Metals - Finally, I would prepare a succinct, yet concise list of resources to post on my website to educate current and potential clients about mining practices and advocate for change. I have already begun to do so at I believe in the potential of using a commercial outlet to candidly influence conscientious change. No Dirty Gold (An EARTHWORKS Campaign) [A] campaign [that] aims to leverage consumer pressure to demand the highest human rights and environmental standards for gold mining. EARTHWORKS A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide. Ethical Metalsmiths Connecting People with Responsibly Sources Metals

5 Jewelers of America It advocates professionalism and adherence to high ethical, social and environmental standards. Our Code of Professional Practices and position statements on issues of importance to consumers illustrate our deep commitment to responsible business practices in the retail jewelry industry. Problems Much of what I find regarding responsible mining practices could potentially be mere self-promotion. There is a trend of greenwashing, and I want to be sure that multiple sources exist to support the ethical claims of individual companies and organizations. Precious metal research is sure to open a can of worms regarding the sources of other raw materials. I will certainly need to continue my inquiry to include their impact, and then develop a comprehensive list of my acceptable materials (e.g., volcanic glass, reclaimed fabric, etc ) and banned materials (e.g., coral, diamonds, etc ).

6 Works Cited Earthworks. (2010, September 23). No dirty gold. Retrieved from Lafarge Ecosystems. (2010, November 15). Social responsibility. Retrieved from USGS Western Ecological Research Center. (2010, September 23). Historical record of mercury in San Francisco bay tidal marshes. Retrieved from

7 Supplementary Resources CASM. (2010, September 23). Communities and small scale mining. Retrieved from Earthworks. (2010, September 23). Earthworks - home. Retrieved from Earthworks. (2010, September 23). No dirty gold. Retrieved from Ethical Metalsmiths. (2010, September 23). Ethical Metalsmiths: connecting people with responsibly sourced metals. Retrieved from Hoover and Strong. (2010, October 16). Harmony metals and gems. Retrieved from Institute for Sustainable Mining. (2010, September 23). home. Retrieved from Jewelers of America. (2010, September 23). Jewelers of America: the resource for the professional jewelry industry. Retrieved from Metalliferous. (2010, October 16). Metallious: metals, tools, supplies. Retrieved from Miningwatch Canada. (2010, November 15). Retrieved from Reactive Metals. (2010, October 16). Reactive metals studios, inc.. Retrieved from Rio Grande. (2010, October 16). Gold, silver, argentium, and metals from rio grande. Retrieved from category category_root 104=Metals Thunderbird Supply Company. (2010, October 16). Earth friendly silver. Retrieved from US EPA. (2010, September 23). Reducing mercury pollution from gold mining. Retrieved from Wolf, E. (1997). Europe and the people without history. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.