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Local women and men downstream of the Tolukuma Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea meet to discuss their future in light of scientific analysis of their water showing high levels of toxic contaminants in the water due to the mining company's practice of dumping mine waste into their river. Photo: Shanta Martin/OxfamAUS.
Mining, oil and gas
Companies operating in the mining, oil and gas sector are increasingly affecting the lives of women, men and children in the developing world.
While the extractive industries can stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty, without appropriate regulation and control they can also cause the loss of land and livelihoods, degrade the environment, and create community conflict.
Oxfam Australia's work shows that Australian mining companies are often complicit in human rights abuses and environmental destruction. And it's the most vulnerable and marginalised – women, children and indigenous people – who tend to bear the brunt of these negative social and environmental impacts.
That's why Oxfam Australia actively lobbies Australian mining companies and governments to adhere to policies and practices that support the rights of affected communities and defends these communities' rights through our Mining Ombudsman process.
Links
- Oxfam America's oil, gas and mining work
- Mines and communities
- Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- The Equator Principles
- The Extractive Industries Review
- International Institute of Environment and Development
- The International Women and Mining Network