The London Mining Network (LMN) is an alliance of human rights, development and environmental groups. Members include ACTSA (Action for Southern Africa), CATAPA (Comite Academico Tecnico de Asesoramiento a Problemas Ambientales), Coal Action Scotland, Colombia Solidarity Campaign, The Corner House, Corporate Watch, Down to Earth (The International Campaign for Ecological Justice in Indonesia), ECCR (Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility), Forest Peoples Programme, The Gaia Foundation, LAMMP (Latin American Mining Monitoring Programme), Partizans (People Against Rio Tinto and its Subsidiaries), PIPLinks (Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links), TAPOL (the Indonesia human rights campaign) the Society of St Columban, UK Tar Sands Network, War on Want and World Development Movement. LMN’s twelve observer groups include leading human rights, environmental and development organisations.
We pledge to expose the role of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, London-based funders and the British Government in the promotion of unacceptable mining projects.
LMN will do this by publishing reports, participating as “dissident” shareholders in company meetings, holding educational events and, where appropriate, addressing decision makers such as investment institutions, politicians and other NGOs.
Why?
Most of the world’s biggest mining companies, and many smaller mining companies, are listed on the London Stock Exchange, and on its Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
London is the world’s biggest centre for investment in the minerals industry: British high street and investment banks, pension funds and insurance companies invest hundreds of millions of pounds a year in scores of mining projects across the globe, connecting working people’s earnings in Britain with the fate of mining-affected communities around the world.
The mining industry’s key lobbying organisation, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is based in London. So are the world’s most important metals price fixing mechanism, the London Metal exchange, and the leading precious metals trader, the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA).
Mining is one of the most polluting industries in the world; has a disproportionately negative impact on land-based communities, especially Indigenous Peoples, and is frequently associated with forced evictions, militarisation, conflict and human rights abuses.
Use of coal in energy generation is a major contributor to destructive climate change; use of uranium produces a radioactive legacy which threatens the wellbeing of thousands of generations to come.
In 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, establishing their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent before projects affecting their lands or resources are allowed to go ahead. This Declaration is of particular importance to extractives industries, including mining.
LMN works to
- Enable organisations concerned about the impacts of London-based mining companies to share information and learn from each others’ experience
- Conduct and facilitate research into mining companies, mining processes, mine impacts and mine finance and make that research available to the public
- Draw public attention, especially in Britain, to the negative impacts of London-listed mining companies, through publications and events
- Support communities and workers directly affected by the activities of London-listed mining companies and London-based finance by publishing their experiences and views, providing them with relevant information, enabling them to send representatives to London company AGMs, supporting their demand for re-examination of mining contracts, and in other ways as appropriate
- Ensure that mining projects not be allowed to proceed without recognition of land title for mining-affected communities
- Ensure that mining projects not be allowed to proceed without demonstrable public acceptance by those directly affected by them and, in the case of Indigenous Peoples, without recognition of their legal right to Free Prior Informed Consent
- Invite public support for campaigns to ensure that mineral development practices are consistent with goals of sustainability, human rights and ecological justice
We are happy to provide speakers for meetings and events.
We produce electronic newsletters, usually once a week, packed with information about London-linked mining companies. Sign up for the newsletters and you will also receive information about actions, events and reports. Just send us an email using the form below or on contact[at]londonminingnetwork.org and ask to be added to our mailing list.
For further information, phone 07903 851695, email us using the form below (or on contact[at]londonminingnetwork.org), or write to us at London Mining Network, PIPLinks, Finfuture, 225-229 Seven Sisters Road, London N4 2DA.
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