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This report analyses all aspects of the metals mining industry, the extraction process, its products, and its social and environmental impacts. It also makes recommendations for the industry and concerned citizens about actions to reduce adverse effects caused by the industry's operation.The report argues that modern, industrial mining is one of the world’s most destructive industries, whose activities damage landscapes, pollute water, and poison people all over the world.Findings include:the metals industry produces 96% of US arsenic emissions50% of all newly mined gold is taken from native landsthe metals mining industry is responsible for making groundwater thousands of times more acid than battery acidthe industry is implicated in serious human rights abuses79 tons of mine waste are produced for every ounce of goldthe industry employs only 0.09 percent of the global workforcethe industry consumes up to 10% of world energythe industry has blasted craters into officially protected natural areasThe report urges the industry to :respect the basic human rights outlined in international declarations and conventionsprovide safe working conditions and respect workers’ rights to collective bargainingrefrain from projects that have not secured the free, prior, and informed consent of the communities concernedfully disclose information about the social and environmental effects of its projectsallow independent reviews of social and environmental management practicesstay out of protected areasstop dumping mine waste into natural bodies of waterrefrain from projects that are expected to cause acid drainageprovide guaranteed funding, before beginning a project, that will fully cover reclamation and closure costsRecommendations for concerned citizens include:recycle products that contain metalsdo not invest in metal mining companies that do not follow the above points in their operation[adapted from author]
