PRINCIPLES FOR HEARING GRIEVANCES, AND AN EFFECTIVE RESPONSE

摘要

Consider the following: In June 2000, a truck from the Yana-cocha gold mine in Peru, majority-owned by Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp., spills 330 pounds of mercury over 25 miles of road, 53 miles from the mine site. Villagers, thinking the mercury is mixed with gold, collect it and take it home to cook on their stoves. Allegations of extensive health damage to more than 1,000 people ensue, and a World Bank report states that the mine delayed reporting the accident to the national authorities, and downplayed its seriousness. Protest escalates in light of Newmont's perceived inadequate response, and culminates in a class-action suit in the United States, which Newmont ultimately settles out of court. Three years later, as Newmont looks ahead to exploring a highly lucrative new area of their concession, local protest kicks in quickly, rising to such intensity that Newmont is forced to back down and ask the government to revoke its site permit.