Mining

Sierra Leone at the crossroads: Seizing the chance to benefit from mining

Report for National Advocacy Coalition on Extractives (NACE), Sierra Leone (March 2009)

This reports considers how the people of Sierra Leone could benefit more from the country’s mineral resources,
which account for 90 per cent of exports but only $9-10m in government revenues. It shows how mining tax
laws have given away too much to the companies while government policies to regulate the mining sector are
poor or non-existent. Includes case studies of the two largest foreign investors, Sierra Rutile and Koidu Holdings.

Mining and tax in South Africa: Costs and benefits

Report for African NGOs (February 2009)

This report notes that while mining contributes greatly to the South African economy, its generous tax
treatment to companies means that it does not benefit as much as it could, while the costs of mining are
borne by poor communities in rural areas. A new royalty system introduced by the government will see
the government lose up to $499 million a year compared to previous proposals.

A golden opportunity?: How Tanzania is failing to benefit from gold mining

Report for Tanzanian NGOs (October 2008)

This report is an analysis of gold mining and tax payments in Tanzania. Although Tanzania is one of Africa’s
largest gold exporters, ordinary people benefit little, since the government has implemented tax laws that
are overly favourable to mining companies and because of the policies of those companies themselves,
notably AngloGold Ashanti and Barrick.

Precious metal: The impact of Anglo Platinum on poor communities
in Limpopo, South Africa

Report for ActionAid (March 2008)

This report analyses the operations of the world’s largest platinum producer, Anglo Platinum, a company
majority-owned by the British mining giant, Anglo American. The findings suggest company activities have
contributed to water pollution and depriving communities of agricultural land while community protests
are often met by police brutality and company legal action.

Fanning the flames: The role of British mining companies in conflict
and the violation of human rights

Report for War on Want (November 2007)

This report documents the impacts of the largest British mining companies – including BHP Billiton,
Anglo American, Xstrata, Rio Tinto and Vedanta – in around twenty countries. It shows their complicity
in human rights violations, the exacerbation of conflict and environmental destruction at the same time
as making record profits.

Anglo American: The alternative report

Report for War on Want (August 2007)

This report reveals the role of the British mining company, Anglo American, in human rights abuses
around the world, along with the companies in its business group, which include AngloGold Ashanti,
De Beers and Anglo Platinum.

Gold Rush: The impact of gold mining on poor people in Obuasi, Ghana

Report for ActionAid (October 2006)
This investigative report from interviews and research in Ghana exposes the effects of mining by AngloGold Ashanti,
a subsidiary of UK company Anglo-American, in Africa’s biggest gold mine. Village streams are being polluted
and illegal miners shot or threatened, while the company claims it is committed to ‘corporate social responsibility’.

Key links

ActionAid
Alliance for Responsible Mining
Benchmarks (South Africa)
Christian Aid
Community Aid Abroad (Australia)
Earthworks
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Infomine
Friends of the Earth International
Global Witness
Lawyers Environmental Action Team (Tanzania)
Mineral Policy Institute
Mines and Communities
Mines, Minerals and People (India)
Minewatch Zambia
Mining Web
Mining Watch Canada
National Advocacy Coalition on Extractives (Sierra Leone)
No Dirty Gold
Partnership Africa Canada
Publish What You Pay
Rainforest Action Network
Revenue Watch
Rights and Accountability in Development
Third World Network
Walhi (Indonesia)
War on Want