|PIC1|A new campaign was launched by CAFOD in London last weekend which aims to highlight the exploitation of local communities in developing countries by international gold mining companies.

Around five hundred campaigners gathered for the Unearth Justice conference where they heard the exploitation of local communities in countries like Honduras and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The crowds heard from Pedro Landa, of CAFOD partner Caritas Tegucigalpa in Honuras, how villagers in the country have been forcibly cleared off their land to make way for a new gold mine.

“Honduras is at the heart of Central America. This heart has been wounded by many companies that are seeking to enrich themselves,” he said.

|TOP|Campaigners at the launch created a giant gold chain to send a message to mining companies and high-street jewellers to play their part in bringing to an end dirty gold.

The new CAFOD campaign also urges the individual to take a stand by lobbying jewellery retailers to sign up to the 12 Golden Rules to ensure that the gold used in their products has come from an ethical source and been mined responsibly.

Included in the Golden Rules are respect for basic human rights, the free, prior and informed consent of affected communities, and safe working conditions.

The Golden Rules also include provisions to ensure that gold mining projects do not involve the forcible removal of communities off their lands and the assurance that the cost of closing down and cleaning up mine sites is covered by the mining companies.

A number of major companies have already signed up to the Golden Rules in February, including Tiffany’s, the Signet Group and Cartier.

Helen Wolfson, head of campaigns at CAFOD, said, “Everyone here today has made a pledge to go back to their parishes and schools and tell others what they have heard – that gold mining is a real issue for poor communities.”

Campaigner David Murray, 62, said, “My only experience of buying gold was saving up to buy my wife a wedding ring. But I think we can really make a difference here. As a Catholic this is really turning my faith into action.”

Young activist Oslay, 14, from St Paul’s Secondary School in West Sussex said, “We are going to take this back to our school and tell people about it. To hear about poverty first hand from someone who has actually experienced it is very inspiring.”