In [Sri Lanka] Ceylon, as in all other parts of the world, Minerals of all elements and deposit sizes, may be imperiled by unenforced mining controls. We, who are in International Business in general, and having been involved in various mining activities in many countries specifically, have witnessed wanton waste and environmental destruction. These negatives of which we write, have been performed by local individuals, all the way to Foreign Corporate Interests [FCI’s], from other continents.
Common threads by the FCIs in their practices are: Destroying ‘Miner’s Monuments’; “Over-staking” properties; MINIMAL ‘Royalties Percentages’ to landowners; Non-payments (or tardy submissions) of royalties to landowners, thereafter; No property remediation after mining; Lacking insurance for deaths or injuries to miners working deposits; and no payments for fauna injuries and deaths in mining areas. We have seen it all.
On a smaller business scale, are individuals ‘usurping’ mineralization deposits with their ‘self-interest entrepreneurship’ of taking what they find [no matter who the property belongs (personal, local, state, or federal)]. They do this with no intentions of paying for their bounties through remissions to others and/or tax remunerations to governments.The sad thing which typically occurs, is the logarithmic damages to the environment flora and fauna. However, these individuals could care less.
To Sri Lanka’s, North, in India, it has been widely reported, and some of us have witnessed the the widespread damages that have occurred with “Bandit” ‘river-rocks’ mining activities. Without following prescribed permitting and regulation, substantial damages occur, especially in Spring run-offs in the affected areas.
In South America, rampant illicit [as well as poorly observed legal Gold mining operations] have torn up the land and contaminated ground-waters with Cyanide [used in ‘heap-leaching’]; this chemical contamination is long-lasting to the affected areas. These damages, some of us have observed ‘first-hand’.
In Australia, a recent “Culturally Blasphemous“ incident occurred with both government as well as mining company executives allowing for detonations which destroyed some of the aborigines’ property. Apparently both groups were in need of education as to “Explosives Potentials” as well as “Cultures Respect”. The damage done is permanent; monetary redress is only a partial substitute, we maintain.
It appears very obvious to all of us, in our varied geographic locations that: Government leaders need to understand the financial benefits to their jurisdictions and nation with mining operations; Funding for enforcement activities should be advanced; Miners should realize they must follow the rules of mineral removals; Remediation must occur to the properties following mining activities; Land-owners must be paid a appropriate and fair percentage of that wealth which they are losing by mineral subtractions on their property; Taxes MUST BE PAID for this process to work.
We certainly realize that the “Mining Horn Of Plenty” SIBERIA [with Mineral Riches beyond belief], is avariciously looked at by Foreign Governments and their Intelligence Agencies. One can certainly understand others HUGE interest in this part of Russia. However, as to Moscow’s Wise Leadership, one can assume, understands ‘Wolves bleating as though they are Sheep’. Foreigners, as they have historically had learned, or will learn: “The Strong Bear Protects It Turf With A Ferocity No Sane Man Wants To Endure.”
Reality: There can be NO SOCIETY without “Mining”. It is Man’s incipient activity, which precedes all that endures physically in nations.
Reference: https://ceylontoday.lk/news/bureaucracy-lack-of-resources-let-sand-miners-off