An analysis of news media and other public criticism of mining companies lists BHP Billiton as the 4th most “controversial” mining company in the world. Freeport McMoRan is number 5 and Rio Tinto is number 6.
Alpha Natural Resources ranked number one.
The Arizona Geology blog reports that the Swiss-based RepRisk Index “monitors the level of criticism to which a company is exposed.” The Index is used by the world’s leading financial institutions to manage financial, enterprise reputation and compliance risk.
RepRisk says Freeport McMoRan faced allegations of human rights abuses, particularly in Papua New Guinea where its subsidiary was accused of perpetuating the abuse of workers by paying police to guard its mine. The company was also accused of contaminating water bodies with heavy metals from mine tailings. RepRisk also noted that Freeport got a lot of bad press during the 3-month strike of miners in Indonesia.
BHP has been criticized for the forced relocation of communities, the destruction of traditional livelihoods and human rights abuses. The company has also been associated with occupational health and safety issues.
Bloomburg reports that Rio Tinto was one of two companies that were so heavily criticized last year that activists disrupted their Annual General Meetings. Activists called on Rio Tinto and the British mining group Vedanta to stop alleged human rights abuses and to improve environmental impacts. Those companies and several others—including BHP Billiton—were all impacted by alleged links with corruption, bribery, extortion and money laundering during 2011.
For more information click here and here.
No comments:
Post a Comment