WiserEarth Help Desk

The problem of mining is manifold. The destruction of the preexisting habitat for the mining industry undermines the possibility of any other use of the other resources of the area. The Mining Industry is wide spread and severe adverse impacts are visible from small scale rat hole mining and stone quarrying to large open cast and deep underground mines.

The social and political implications of mining assumes far reaching implications when this principle mineral wealth lies in the most forested regions and those homelands traditionally inhabited by Dalit and Indigenous Peoples.

In the wake of the current globalization and liberalization programs, dictated to us by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in the form of Structural Adjustment Programs, large new tracts of land are proposed to be acquired for mining with MNC's

Mineral extraction today is dictated by the market forces and cartels controlling the price according to the profitability rather than for the benefit of society or a community.

Thus a good number of minerals go to the war industry, or to enhance the powers of the powerful through strategic control. Besides this natural resources of the poorer countries are being over used with rampant environmental destruction, while the same resources of the rich countries are being safely preserved for their future generations.

mines, minerals & PEOPLE 

An Emerging Alliance

mm&P (mines, minerals & PEOPLE) is a growing alliance of individuals, institutions and communities who are concerned and affected by mining. The isolated struggles of different groups have led us to form into broad a national alliance for combating the destructive nature of mining.

mm&P members at present are

• more than 100 grass-roots groups,
• About 20 diverse support organisations,
• Across 16 States

With the purpose of ...

• Supporting local struggles,
• Legal and Media advocacy,
• Information, documentation, research and fact finding,
• Developing campaign strategies,
• Skill share, Jatras, Exchanges,
• National and International networking,
• Technical and Scientific Expertise.

Challenges ahead....

• To bring a uniform and balanced mineral policy
• Protection of rights of indigenous communities,
• Fight for people's control over mineral resources,
• Stress for minimum mining,
• Explore better sustainable alternatives to mining,
• Resist environment destruction,
• Monitor global and Indian mining industries.

Of Choices....

• Mining should be the last resort for the use of land. Before resorting to mining, comparable usability of resources from existing sources, i.e. recycling and storage dumps should be made,

• There is much greater wealth for human kind above these minerals,

• One species of medicinal plant which turns out a medicine can be worth ten times the total produce of minerals.

• Community knowledge of various aspects of human life from medicinal plants to community organisation is worth ten times the value of a plant species.

.... and Alternatives

• We should gear towards a national policy of what has to be mined and what should not be mined, from the interest of the people rather than the Markets and the Industry.

• We therefore feel the progressive nations should go beyond economics of the market place and understand global stewardship,

• they should contribute to minimising mining,

• and seek ways where we can replace non renewable with more renewables.

Of values and Decisions.....

• The minerals will be for   ever - if we do not mine them,
• The wealth above will never be ours - if we mine them..

... and therefore, in togetherness we appeal.....
Emphasise Minimum Mining