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Reports

Oxfam Australia publications, submissions, policy papers and speech transcripts, including Oxfam Australia Mining Ombudsman case reports.

2008

The International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards and the Equator Principles: Respecting Human Rights and Remedying Violations? (August 2008) (PDF 702KB)
This paper considers the extent to which the Equator Principles provide sufficient guidance for project sponsors to manage the human rights risks of their operations and finds gaps in a number of areas.

2007

Mining Ombudsman Case Report: Didipio Gold and Copper Mine (October 2007) (PDF 3.9MB)
This report is the result of five years of investigative work by Oxfam Australia into the questionable behaviour of Australian stock exchange-listed company OceanaGold and its dealings with the Didipio community who are steadfast in their opposition to the mine.
Trip Report following Phase I of Assessment Team Visit to Mekeo Communities of Central Province, PNG (August 2007) (PDF 1.4MB)
This report outlines the recommendations of a joint water assessment by Oxfam Australia, our partners in Papua New Guinea and Emperor Mines (operator of Tolukuma Gold Mine). Tolukuma Gold Mine has committed to providing affected communities with clean water.
Free Prior and Informed Consent (October 2007) (PDF 782KB)
This report details the concept of free, prior and informed consent and its role in the mining industry and sustainable development. It discusses the challenges associated with obtaining free, prior and informed consent and the national and international legal precedents in support of the concept.
A complaints mechanism for the mining industry (2007) (PDF 3.6MB)
This information sheet outlines the reasons why Oxfam Australia is advocating for an official complaints mechanism for the mining industry and offers a suggested framework and governing principles for the mechanism.
Realising the potential: mining and sustainable development (February 2007) (PDF 44KB)
Paper presented by Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett at the APEC Ministers Responsible for Mining 3 conference.
Statement of the Pacific Region International Women and Mining Network Meeting Madang, Papua New Guinea, 24-26 October 2007 (PDF 30KB)
Participants at this conference call for an end to the negative impacts of mining in their communities and countries

2006

Arsenic and selected metal levels in the domestic water supplies of Mekeo villages near the Angabanga River, Papua New Guinea (2006) (PDF 241KB)
This report, prepared by A & S.R. Tingay Pty. Ltd. Environmental Scientists with assistance from Oxfam Australia, describes the results of an assessment of the water supplies of several villages located near the Angabanga River in the Central Province of Papua New Guinea.
Pollution from the Tolukuma Gold Mine in the Auga-Angabanga river system, Papua New Guinea (2006) (PDF 764KB)
The Tolukuma Gold Mine regularly discharges tonnes of waste (tailings) into nearby rivers as a consequence of its gold extraction process. This report, prepared by A & S.R. Tingay Pty. Ltd. Environmental Scientists with assistance from Oxfam Australia, describes the extent and nature of pollution that is caused by the tailings discharge.
Enduring Value: Future Challenges In The Asia Pacific Region (October 2006) (PDF 169KB)
This paper was presented at the Minerals Council of Australia Sustainable Development Conference (October 2006).
Presentation to the Canadian National Roundtable on Corporate Social Responsibility (September 2006) (PDF 54KB)
This paper argues the need for mining industry standards and a complaints mechanism to protect and promote human rights.

2005

Mining Ombudsman Case Updates 2005 (Published August 2006) (PDF 1.9MB)
This publication outlines the impacts of mining operations or proposed mining operations in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Peru. These cases illustrate the breadth of the Mining Ombudsman project and demonstrate the need for a rights-based approach to mining.
Mining Ombudsman Case Report: Marinduque Island (March 2005) (PDF 3.5MB)
This report outlines the impact of that dumping of toxic mine waste into the sea around Marinduque has on people's livelihoods and health, and the environment on which they depend.   
Oxfam Australia: The rights based approach and the mining industry (November 2005) (PDF 93KB)
Paper presented at the Mineral's Council of Australia Sustainable Development Conference.
Submission to Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (September 2005) (PDF 49KB)
Oxfam Australia's contribution to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services' Inquiry into corporate responsibility.
Assessment of the effects of Acid Mine Drainage on Mogpog River Ecosystem, Marinduque, Philippines, and Possible Impacts on Human Communities (2005) (PDF 3.8MB)
The report prepared by Dr Emelina G. Regis, Director, Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research Ateneo de Naga University, with assistance from Oxfam Australia, describes the impact of acid mine drainage on the Mogpog River.

2004

Mining Ombudsman Annual Report 2004 (PDF 2.8MB)
This report examines why the Australian mining industry needs an independent complaints mechanism and what it would look like. It details progress in cases from Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Indonesia and Fiji involving environmental degradation and human rights abuses.
Benchmarks for the Mining Industry (from 2004 Annual Report) (PDF 65KB)
This document outlines a set of benchmarks designed to protect and promote some basic human rights.
Mining Ombudsman Case Report: Tolukuma Gold Mine (September 2004) (PDF 2MB)
This report outlines the impact of riverine mine tailings disposal on communities living downstream of the Tolukuma Gold Mine  These impacts include illness and death from drinking and washing in the river, flash flooding due to increased river sedimentation and threats to food security.
Mining Ombudsman Case Report: Vatukoula Gold Mine (July 2004) (PDF 2.3MB)
This report outlines the grievances of Fijian mine workers including low wages, unsafe working conditions, substandard housing conditions and the impact of these on workers' families. 
Water Quality in the Mogpog River, Marinduque Island, Republic of the Philippines (November 2004) (PDF 2.1MB)
This report, prepared by A & S.R. Tingay Pty. Ltd. Environmental Scientists with assistance from Oxfam Australia, outlines the results of a water quality study of the Mogpog River which is located downstream of the mine. 
The Third International Women and Mining Network Conference Report (2004) (PDF 2.3MB)
This report, which includes papers presented at the conference and the conference statement and declaration, explores the theme of defending women's lives and demanding their rights. 

2003

Mining Ombudsman Annual Report 2003 (PDF 2.5MB)
The cases in the Mining Ombudsman Annual Report 2003 illustrate the negative impacts that Australian mining companies' are having on communities in Indonesia, Papue New Guinea, Peru and the Philippines.
Mining's tunnel vision: women's rights undermined? (August 2003) (PDF 35KB)
Speech by the Mining Ombudsman at the "women in mining: voices for change" conference, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Mining, human rights and gender equality – mining for whom? (July 2003) (PDF 36KB)
Speech by the Mining Ombudsman at the mine-affected communities conference, Motupure Island, Papua New Guinea.

2002

Mining Ombudsman Annual Report 2002 (PDF 1.4MB)
The cases contained in Oxfam Australia's second Mining Ombudsman Annual Report demonstrate the need for a mining industry complaints mechanism and extra territorial legislation to protect the human rights of people affected by Australian mining operations. 
Tunnel Vision: Women, Mining and Communities (2002) (PDF 489KB)
This forum convened by Oxfam Australia brought together speakers from Indigenous Australia and the Asia-Pacific region to address the impacts of mining operations on women.  The report contains the papers presented at the conference. 

2001

Mining Ombudsman Annual Report 2001 (PDF 1.7MB)
This is the first Mining Ombudsman Annual Report published by Oxfam Australia.  In the report benchmarks for the mining industry are proposed.