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Right to Know, Right to Decide

Imagine if a company paid the government to mine for gold or drill for oil in your backyard—but didn’t ask for your permission, pay you, or give you important information about the project. Right now, oil, gas, and mining companies are doing this all around the world, often in the poorest countries.

As part of Oxfam's work supporting poor communities worldwide, our Right to Know, Right to Decide campaign calls on international oil, gas, and mining companies to respect the rights of poor people and contribute to the long-term reduction of poverty.

Here are answers to some key questions regarding Oxfam's "Right to Know, Right to Decide" campaign effort.

Oxfam's oil, gas, and mining program
Oxfam advocates just government policies and corporate practices in the oil, gas, and mining industries, and supports the right of communities to participate meaningfully in decisions about the use of natural resources.
OXFAMExchange Spring 2009
The power of resilience
OXFAMExchange Spring 2008
Raising a generation without fear
OXFAMExchange Winter 2008
Hard Questions about Ghana's Gold Boom
Working together to end poverty and injustice
An overview of Oxfam America and our approach to poverty relief and lasting social change.
Oxfam in West Africa
Across the vast Sahel and down through the lush rainforests of Ghana, there is a growing sense of possibility.
Oxfam in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean
All across this diverse and beautiful territory, new faces of leadership are emerging. Women, rural communities, and small farmers are adding their voices to the political dialogue, calling on their governments: Hear us now.
OXFAMExchange Spring 2006
Challenging Injustice
Oxfam in South America
To their government officials and to the corporations who want to exploit their lands and natural resources, the indigenous and rural people of South America have a simple, yet important message: "We are here."
OXFAMExchange Fall 2002
What's in your coffee? Oxfam's coffee campaign. Plus Afghanistan, Make Trade Fair campaign, and the Hopi people's struggle for clean, safe drinking water.
More publications
Mining conflicts in Peru: Condition critical
Metals, mining, and sustainable development in Central America
An assessment of benefits and costs
Ghana's Big Test
Oil's challenge to democratic development
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Mining Sector in Peru
Golden Rules
Around the world, large-scale metals mining takes an enormous toll on the health of the environment and communities. Gold mining, in particular, is one of the dirtiest industries in the world.
Hidden Treasure?
In search of Mali's gold-mining revenues
Transparency Begins at Home
An assessment of United States revenue transparency and extractive industries transparency initiative requirements
Dirty Metals
Mining, Communities, and the Environment
Tarnished Legacy
A Social and Environmental Analysis of Mali's Syama Goldmine
Poverty Reduction or Poverty Exacerbation?
World Bank Group Support for Extractive Industries in Africa
Digging to Development?
A Historical Look at Mining and Economic Development
Extractive Sectors and the Poor
A Proposed Mine in Tambogrande, Peru: An Alternative Look
More research
Oxfam America Organizing Guide
Tips for taking action in your community
Oxfam America House Party Guide
Tools for hosting a high-impact event
Take Action: Protect Community Rights and Resources
Over 60 percent of the world's poorest people live in countries rich in natural resources—but they rarely share in the wealth. Too often, poor communities have no say in the extraction of resources from their land and receive little information about these projects.
More tools for activists
Open the Books on Corruption
From Oxfam America partner Publish What You Pay, calling for transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries and asking Congress to introduce the Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure Act.
Is mining right for Central America?
Farmers and indigenous people debate the costs and benefits of mining.
Our Land, Our Life
The struggle of Carrie and Mary Dann, two Western Shoshone elders, to address the threat mining development poses to the sacred and environmentally sensitive lands of Crescent Valley, Nevada.
More multimedia

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New coalition to monitor resource revenues in Cambodia

New coalition to monitor resource revenues in Cambodia

Oil and mineral wealth could change the country, and a new watchdog intends to ensure revenues are well spent, and reduce poverty.

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Peru overturns decrees, starts dialogue

Peru overturns decrees, starts dialogue

The government of Peru and indigenous citizens to move from conflict to dialogue on land rights and the best way to consult native people as they work to protect their territory and way of life.

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West Africa asks, "Where is my gold?"

West Africa asks, "Where is my gold?"

Oxfam America and leading civil society organizations in West Africa are launching a week of action aimed at raising public awareness about the mining industry in the region.

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Chile: Struggling for the right to decide

Chile: Struggling for the right to decide

Farmers use the law to defend their water and their rights—but can't block a massive tailings dam.

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President Saca speaks out against mining in El Salvador

President Saca speaks out against mining in El Salvador

El Salvador's President Elias Antonio Saca announced that his government would not give out any mining permits in El Salvador.

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Ghana's president promises disclosure of oil contracts

Ghana's president promises disclosure of oil contracts

Mills takes step toward greater transparency, regulation.

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Rio Blanco: Massive copper project proposed for Cloud Forest

Rio Blanco: Massive copper project proposed for Cloud Forest

Controversy and torture allegations in northern Peru as farmers resist mining in an environmentally sensitive area.

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Oxfam calls for an investigation of alleged torture of 28 in Peru

Oxfam calls for an investigation of alleged torture of 28 in Peru

A new report and photographs show participants in peaceful march in 2005 were detained and mistreated by mine company security and police.

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Conflict surrounds expansion of Peru gold mine

Conflict surrounds expansion of Peru gold mine

Local communities turn to legal measures to protect land, water.

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Photos, panel discussion demonstrate impact of oil extraction on Nigeria and other African nations

Photos, panel discussion demonstrate impact of oil extraction on Nigeria and other African nations

Oxfam expert explains that oil revenues do not always translate into money to fight poverty.

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Student activists hear the voices behind the issues

Student activists hear the voices behind the issues

Oxfam America CHANGE Leaders learn how US legislation can help communities affected by oil, gas, and mining.

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Resource revenues elusive in Peru

Resource revenues elusive in Peru

Money from mines and pipelines is hard to track, and not obviously helping the poorest people in the country.

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Cocoa farmers threatened by gold mine

Cocoa farmers threatened by gold mine

Farmers in a small town seem more interested in keeping their farms than selling out—but the struggle to protect their land will be a hard one.

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Land and heritage at risk in Ghana

Land and heritage at risk in Ghana

A proposal to mine in a forest reserve raises concerns about the environment and the future of a nearby farming community.

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"We are united"

"We are united"

An indigenous Q'eq'chi community in Guatemala struggles to defend its agricultural land.

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Defending the people, and Lake Izabal

Defending the people, and Lake Izabal

Despite threats to her life, Eloyda Mejía raises awareness about industrial mining near a beautiful lake in eastern Guatemala.

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More valuable than gold

More valuable than gold

Andrea Perera explores how, for those living on gold deposits in Ghana, free, prior, and informed consent means the right to define the terms of development for their own communities.

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In Texistepeque, El Salvador, farmers question wisdom of relying on mining

In Texistepeque, El Salvador, farmers question wisdom of relying on mining

Concerns about water and land lead to a debate about the role of mining in long-term economic development.

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US legislators, Oxfam partners discuss gold mining in Ghana

US legislators, Oxfam partners discuss gold mining in Ghana

Meeting focuses on the impact of mining on poor communities, and shows how upcoming US legislation can help people claim their rights.

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Peruvian village sees pollution, few benefits from gas pipeline project

Peruvian village sees pollution, few benefits from gas pipeline project

Gas spills and lack of attention to community development raise questions in the forest villages of indigenous people affected by the Camisea pipeline.

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Amazon Defense Front wins prestigious environmental prize

Amazon Defense Front wins prestigious environmental prize

Luis Yanza and Pablo Fajardo of Ecuador are recognized for their effort to protect the natural world with the Goldman Environmental Prize for 2008.

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Oxfam America and ECOWAS to create new mining code

Oxfam America and ECOWAS to create new mining code

Oxfam America and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed on April 4, 2008 to collaborate on creating a common mining code for all of West Africa.

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In Prestea, Ghana, gold mine expansion threatens water sources

In Prestea, Ghana, gold mine expansion threatens water sources

Communities are requesting a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of a new mining project and for their right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding new ones.

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Caught on the wrong side of a gold boom

Caught on the wrong side of a gold boom

Farmers in Ghana talk candidly about the impact of gold mining on their communities and how to hold mining companies and government accountable.

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Joanna Manu: community activist in Ghana

Joanna Manu: community activist in Ghana

Joanna Manu learns how to defend her rights and stands firm in protecting the environment in her community.

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Demolished Ghanaian village wins court decision

Demolished Ghanaian village wins court decision

Mining company gets bill for houses, school destroyed in 1997.

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Environmental activists receive death threats

Environmental activists receive death threats

In Guatemala, a deep-rooted culture of violence limits debate about mining and the environment.

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The Majaz effect

The Majaz effect

What is the likely environmental impact of Minera Majaz's proposed copper mine?

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Dead fish and acid pollution point to cyanide in stream

Dead fish and acid pollution point to cyanide in stream

Farmers in Ghana affected by chemical spill call on government to investigate and punish polluters.

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The coming oil boom in Ghana

The coming oil boom in Ghana

Ghana discovers oil, and has an opportunity to use it for development—if it can avoid the usual traps of new oil wealth in developing countries.

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Majority who voted say 'No' to Majaz Mining Company

Majority who voted say 'No' to Majaz Mining Company

Citizens express their will in peaceful referendum in Peru.

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Pollution risk at new gold mine in Ghana exposed

Pollution risk at new gold mine in Ghana exposed

Journalist in Ghana writes about environmental risks, wins award.

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Río Blanco: history of a mismatch in Peru

Río Blanco: history of a mismatch in Peru

Here is a summary of the facts that have marked the relationship between the mining company and the local communities.

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Referendum on Rio Blanco mining project

Referendum on Rio Blanco mining project

"Do you agree with having mining activity in the district of Carmen de la Frontera?" This is the question that thousands of citizens will answer on Sunday September 16th in this and two other districts in northern Peru.

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A new leader of concerned farmers in rural Ghana

A new leader of concerned farmers in rural Ghana

Emilia Amoateng helps defend the rights of fellow villagers, presses a legal case for compensation for their lost farms.

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For resettled community, not all are satisfied with new home

For resettled community, not all are satisfied with new home

New clinic doesn't quite make up for lost lands, higher expenses for displaced farmers.

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Oxfam America partner Dr. Juan Almendares receives humanitarian award

Oxfam America partner Dr. Juan Almendares receives humanitarian award

"My greatest inspiration was my mother...When I graduated from the university, I had three callings: To work on behalf of the poor, to educate, and to dedicate myself to science."

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Cambodia sees Oxfam as a partner in petroleum lawmaking process

Cambodia sees Oxfam as a partner in petroleum lawmaking process

Public forum on extractive industries attracts attention of national government.

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New attention on ChevronTexaco case

New attention on ChevronTexaco case

President of Ecuador speaks out on environment as indigenous leaders press for justice at shareholder meeting.

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Oxfam preps for oil and mining's new focus

Oxfam preps for oil and mining's new focus

American, Chinese, and Australian companies look to Cambodia.

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Oxfam America denounces death threats against rights advocate in Peru

Oxfam America denounces death threats against rights advocate in Peru

Calls on the authorities to investigate death threats and intimidation.

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Human rights violations follow the money

Human rights violations follow the money

Groundbreaking hearings on the responsibility of the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank to respect human rights exposes violations related to loans in Latin America.

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Bolivian indigenous groups attacked

Bolivian indigenous groups attacked

Oxfam expresses solidarity with Chiquitano indigenous people in eastern Bolivia after their offices are ransacked and leaders are threatened.

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Rodolfo Pocop: an indigenous perspective on mining in Guatemala

Rodolfo Pocop: an indigenous perspective on mining in Guatemala

New economic realities in Central America reveal strong concerns about the future of Mayan culture.

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Interview: Humberto Piaguaje

Interview: Humberto Piaguaje

Humberto Piaguaje is the representative of the Secoya people to the Assembly of Delegates of Communities Affected by Texaco.

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Interview: Pablo Fajardo

Interview: Pablo Fajardo

Pablo Fajardo is the Amazon Defense Front's legal coordinator for the case against Texaco.

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