Revenues of –
mostly international – mining companies often do not benefit the local
communities. Local organisations tend to lack accurate information
on the activities of mining companies that operate in their area. Understanding
of international regulations and the structure of international companies is poor.
Local organisations do not play a part in policy-making on a regional, national
or local level.
SOMO supports
organisations that work towards sustainable development. Extraction should not
harm the environment, the local population should be involved in
decision-making processes, revenues should benefit local communities and
companies must observe international and national regulations concerning
workers´, environmental and human rights.
Future research will focus on out-sourcing, supply chains and capacity
building of local organisations in Southern Africa.
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12-07-2011
Uranium exploitation leads to large-scale radiological and toxic contamination around many mining sites in Africa. Multinational mining companies remain largely unregulated and unaccountable, public participation in decision making regarding uranium mining is minimal, and long-term effects are insufficiently addressed.
22-11-2010
During a hearing in the Lower House on 18 November 2010, SOMO argued in favour of a structural solution (regulations) for the lack of chain responsibility and transparency among the energy companies operating in the Netherlands. As one of the experts to be heard, SOMO gave its vision on the origin of the coal used by the energy companies in question, based on new study on Sustainability in the Power Sector (Europe, Belgium and the Netherlands). The report on this will be published shortly.
