Background
Gold mining is one of the most destructive activities in the world. The production of one gold ring generates 20 tons of waste. Toxic chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury, can pollute drinking water supplies, contaminate farmland, and harm the health of workers and communities.
To most people, gold is a symbol of love and commitment. But for people who live near gold mines, it is also a symbol of poverty, destruction, and despair.
While mining can bring temporary jobs and paved roads to disadvantaged areas, too often few direct benefits reach community members. Weak regulations and the remote locations of their operations permit gold mining companies to work with little public scrutiny.
Mining firms don't sell directly to retail consumers; thus, there is little public awareness of the companies and the practices they employ. And when the gold and jobs are gone, communities can be left with pollution for generations.
Pushing Gold Companies Out of the Shadows
For six years, Oxfam America has been helping communities address mining-related problems, starting in South America and later in West Africa, Asia, Central America, and the United States. The primary focus of Oxfam's assistance is helping organizations become effective advocates for their rights.
Oxfam America is also actively pushing for reform of the mining industry, pressuring the World Bank and other financiers to impose more stringent standards on mining operations, and appealing directly to companies to respect the rights of people to live in a healthy environment and have a say in whether, and how, mining operations are carried out in their communities.