Mining
in India
The
problem of mining is manifold. The destruction of the preexisting
habitat for the mining industry undermines the possibility of any
other use of the other resources of the area. The Mining Industry
is wide spread and severe adverse impacts are visible from small
scale rat hole mining and stone quarrying to large open cast and
deep underground mines.
The
social and political implications of mining assumes far reaching
implications when this principle mineral wealth lies in the most
forested regions and those homelands traditionally inhabited by
Dalit and Indigenous Peoples.
In
the wake of the current globalization and liberalization programs,
dictated to us by the International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank, in the form of Structural Adjustment Programs, large new tracts
of land are proposed to be acquired for mining with MNC's
Mineral
extraction today is dictated by the market forces and cartels controlling
the price according to the profitability rather than for the benefit
of society or a community.
Thus
a good number of minerals go to the war industry, or to enhance
the powers of the powerful through strategic control. Besides this
natural resources of the poorer countries are being over used with
rampant environmental destruction, while the same resources of the
rich countries are being safely preserved for their future generations.
mines, minerals &
PEOPLE
An
Emerging Alliance
mm&P (mines, minerals
& PEOPLE) is a growing alliance of individuals, institutions
and communities who are concerned and affected by mining. The isolated
struggles of different groups have led us to form into broad a national
alliance for combating the destructive nature of mining.
mm&P members at
present are
- more than 100 grass-roots
groups,
- About 20 diverse
support organisations,
- Across 16 States
With the purpose
of ...
- Supporting local
struggles,
- Legal and Media advocacy,
- Information, documentation,
research and fact finding,
- Developing campaign
strategies,
- Skill share, Jatras,
Exchanges,
- National and International
networking,
- Technical and Scientific
Expertise.
Challenges
ahead....
- To bring a uniform
and balanced mineral policy
- Protection of rights
of indigenous communities,
- Fight for people's
control over mineral resources,
- Stress for minimum
mining,
- Explore better sustainable
alternatives to mining,
- Resist environment
destruction,
- Monitor global and
Indian mining industries.
Of Choices....
-
Mining should be
the last resort for the use of land. Before resorting to mining,
comparable usability of resources from existing sources, i.e.
recycling and storage dumps should be made,
-
There is much greater
wealth for human kind above these minerals,
-
One species of medicinal
plant which turns out a medicine can be worth ten times the total
produce of minerals.
-
Community knowledge
of various aspects of human life from medicinal plants to community
organisation is worth ten times the value of a plant species.
.... and Alternatives
-
We should gear towards
a national policy of what has to be mined and what should not
be mined, from the interest of the people rather than the Markets
and the Industry.
-
We therefore feel
the progressive nations should go beyond economics of the market
place and understand global stewardship,
-
they should contribute
to minimising mining,
-
and seek ways where
we can replace non renewable with more renewables.
Of values and Decisions.....
- The minerals will
be for ever - if we do not mine them,
- The wealth above
will never be ours - if we mine them..
... and therefore, in
togetherness we appeal.....
Emphasise Minimum Mining
mm&P
Presentation |
