Extractive industries earn massive amounts of money, but rarely do local communities affected by their operations share in the profits. To the contrary, mines and other extractive operations often have disastrous impacts on communities and the environment.
Among other things, extractives are frequently linked to armed conflict, corruption, forced displacement, destruction of ecosystems, and depletion or poisoning of water supplies.
SOMO researches the extractives and mining sector, analysing corporate activities and impacts in the context of global supply chains, including links to the electronics and energy sectors. We also support organisations that promote sustainable development, labour rights and the interests of local communities.
We press extractive industries to abide by international standards of human, labour and community rights, and to conduct their operations in a conflict-sensitive way. This includes ensuring the right of communities to participate in decision-making processes about land and natural resource use.
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