Goldcorp Inc understands the importance of the surrounding of its projects, which is the way they tend to do a long-term commitment to maintain a viable business, increase value for their shareholders, improve employment and develop opportunities for their host communities, and minimize their environmental impacts.
Some of Goldcorp Inc's commitments are stated below:
– a commitment to the protection of life, health and the environment for present and future generations;
– respect for the needs and cultures of the local communities;
– open communication with employees, stakeholders and governments concerning their plans, programs and performance;
– cooperation with government agencies, local communities, educational institutions and suppliers to achieve safe handling and disposal of all the materials, resources and products; and
– application of the best technologies to continuously improve the safe and efficient use of resources, processes and materials.
“Goldcorp is committed to conducting our business responsibly, which means respecting the safety and health of our employees, protecting the environment, respecting the human rights of our employees and the residents of the communities in which we operate and contributing to the sustainable development of those communities. Our commitment to these efforts is outlined in our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy and Human Rights policy.”
Goldcorp Inc tries to build strong, open and transparent relationships with the communities. It provided School Drug Awareness Programs in late November 2007 which was sponsored by the Peñasquito project, in Mexico for 12 communities, and also helped in delivering Educational assistance to Carrizalillo.
-Do these commitments mean that Goldcorp Inc. is actually ready to stop a project just because it might harm the people living around the mine? How about the shareholder whom most of the time don’t really care about anything but what they will gain from the project?
In 2010 at TORONTO, shareholders of Goldcorp Inc. got a glimpse into the lives of Central Americans whose land has been exploited by the company for gold. Shareholders learned about the devastating effects Goldcorp’s operations have had on communities in Central America. The presenters told of an increase in health problems, cracked houses, widespread social conflict and the criminalization of protest in their towns and villages.
A shareholder resolution was brought forward by Kathryn Anderson of the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence (BTS) Network, which called on Goldcorp to adopt a corporate policy on free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) by September 1, 2010. The Goldcorp operations influenced by Anderson’s proposed policy would impact not only Indigenous communities, but all communities dependent for survival on natural resources. Shareholders representing 90 per cent of Goldcorp’s shares voted against Anderson's proposed resolution.
Although Goldcorp claims it participates in consultations with populations affected by its mines, company representatives refuse to articulate a detailed consultation process or put one into company policy. Furthermore, nowhere does Goldcorp claim to respect the rights of communities to say no to mining, which is a keystone of Anderson’s resolution.
When it ignored the results of community-organized consultations in 2005 in Sipakapa, a region bordering the Marlin Mine—where 11 out of 13 communities unanimously opposed the mine’s presence—the local government was pressured to address the issue. The municipality of San Miguel has since organized its own upcoming consultation. Goldcorp General Counsel VP David Deisley said the company is not legally required to respect the results of such a consultation.
All four Central American activists who flew to Canada to speak to Goldcorp’s shareholders were adamant that voluntary standards for Canadian companies do not protect against human rights abuses. Although they were all in support of Bill C-300, they continue to push for free, prior and informed consent to be a focal point of Canadian legislation.
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/2535--goldcorp-drilled-by-shareholders-for-mining-projects-in-central-america
http://www.goldcorp.com/corporate_responsibility/
Fascinating, not only because of the information you provide, but also because of the networks that have emerged to counteract the actions of mining companies. I wonder if these networks use ICT to co-ordinate their activities.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post!
Regards,
JR