We have been able to identify some of the companies with the worst environmental record. One myth we can for sure lay to rest is that mining companies use the same standards in other countries as they do here. It is NOT true. Another major difference between North America and many of the developing countries is that here politicians may supplement their incomes and campaigns with money from mining companies but in other places the military supplements their income and uses their power to defend their investments. Life, land, clean water and clean air are more precious than gold.
All peoples depend on nature for life.
The right to life is a guaranteed human right. It is, therefore, our responsibility to protect all of nature for present and future generations. Large-scale gold mining violently uproots and destroys the spiritual, cultural, political, social and economic lives of peoples as well as entire ecosystems. Historic and current destruction created by gold mining is greater than any value generated. Commercial gold mining projects are mainly on indigenous lands.