Glencore improves conditions at African mines but could do more on human rights

Two non-governmental organisations have lauded the efforts of the commodity-trading and mining giant Glencore in improving conditions at mines they run in Africa but still feel more needs to be done with regard to human rights and environmental matters

The two NGOs concerned, the Bern-based Brot für Alle (Bread for All) and the Lucerne-based Fastenopfer (Lenten sacrifice) charity, have said that the situation at copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo has improved, with the provision of water improving for residents around the city of Kolwezi, to the south of the country just 50 kilometres from the border with Zambia. With less effluent finding its way into the River Luilu there, the state of the water was not as polluted as it was, some 10,000 locals shortly to be able to benefit, at last, from three plants providing fresh water there, albeit after a ten-year wait.

Another area where the situation has improved has come about after Glencore recruited social workers and liaison officers to communicate with local communities.

While the condition of water has improved, the report, the fourth in a series to have been published, the last one in 2014, there are still concerns over ground and air pollution, the amount of dust in the latter times ten times that deemed acceptable by the World Health Organisation.

It was reported how local farmers had also suffered repeatedly from noxious substances on their land. While Glencore had compensated them for the lack of harvest, after pressure from the NGOs, no long-term solution had been offered.

The NGOs further pointed out that measures undertaken by the company voluntarily were not enough, with little happening had it not been for pressure exerted by them, the NGOs, and others. They mentioned that problems were only hesitatingly confronted and future ones not prevented. Hence it was essential the Responsible Companies Initiative came into being to monitor the activities of Swiss firms operating in such areas.

For its part, Glencore responded by saying that it had invested much in modernisation, which itself had led to great improvements in water quality. As to dust pollution, various methods, such as watering, road maintenance, and the planting of trees, had been used to reduce this. While it was not the only company operating in this area, Glencore had played a leading role in ensuring improvements were made, transparency being a key factor in it all.