Dear HCN,
David Rockland invokes a
rather confusing logic in his essay “Is our love of the West
destroying Chile?” (HCN, 1/19/98).
Just because
Americans wish to protect their local communities from the
environmental impacts of bad mining does not imply, as Rockland
asserts, they wish to “export environmental problems’ to other
countries. Nor are U.S. environmentalists, by demanding greater
protection of our land and water resources, “creating”
environmental problems for other countries. Here, Rockland
acknowledges the environmental problems caused by U.S.-based mining
companies, but oddly enough, he does not hold mine operators
responsible. Rather, he places the blame on U.S.
environmentalists.
“The environmental movement
has done a superb job of vilifying the mining industry,” he
laments. “Mineral Policy Center, in particular, has been incredibly
effective in showcasing mining as an industry that has created huge
environmental disasters here and abroad.” On that one, David, the
industry deserves all the credit. In fact, the mining industry
gives us all the material we need.
He continues:
The mining industry has done an “abysmal job counteracting this
public relations campaign.” With Mineral Policy Center’s small
staff and tight budget, we’ll take that as a compliment. But please
be aware that Mineral Policy Center’s effectiveness comes from a
strong national network of local and regional groups that are
working to protect their communities, as well as their wildlife,
land and precious water resources.
Mineral Policy
Center is not opposed to all mining. But we do oppose mining in
environmentally sensitive areas. We oppose public-land giveaways
under the 1872 Mining Law, and other subsidies that create an
incentive for extraction rather than recycling. And we believe
local citizens should have a say in all decisions affecting their
communities.
Unfortunately, these communities
have been discounted by the industry. In his essay, Rockland
emphasizes that siting a mine is determined almost entirely by the
quality of the ore body. “Community opposition is not a factor,” he
writes. Gee, and to think Mineral Policy Center recently gave the
mining industry credit for making progress in its communications
with local communities and other
stakeholders!
Susan
Brackett
Washington,
D.C.
The writer is
communications director of the Mineral Policy
Center.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Mineral Policy Center’s response to David Rockland.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
