This month, the first global standard to prevent mining catastrophes was released, following the tragic collapse of a tailings dam in Brazil last year which killed 270 people.
People living near or downstream from a mine deserve to know they’ll be safe. While the standard requires mining operators to act transparently, it’s being rolled out without independent oversight. And it’s not clear how communities – many of them vulnerable – will be supported to understand mining projects and their implications.
The standard comes at a time when public visibility of the mining industry is at a low. The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted movement globally, making it harder for outside experts, journalists, investors and regulators to monitor what’s happening on the ground.
Tailings dams are among the largest human-made structures on the planet. Their collapse has become more frequent in recent years, and Australia is not immune. Independent oversight is necessary to hold mining companies to account.
Language: English
Publisher: The Conversation
Region: Global
Type: Article
CITATION
Kemp, D., Owen, J. and Bainton, N, (2020). World-first mining standard must protect people and hold powerful companies to account. The Conversation.
Available at: https://theconversation.com/world-first-mining-standard-must-protect-people-and-hold-powerful-companies-to-account-144285