Mining

The pursuit of a greener economy has led to: 

• Increased demand for critical metals: Technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels require substantial amounts of metals like copper, nickel, lead, tin, and silver.This surge in demand has intensified minerals mining activities, often under precarious conditions for the people working in the mining industry. 

• Decline in coal mining industries: As the world moves away from coal workers and communities reliant on the industry face economic uncertainties and job losses. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that balances environmental goals with social equity.  

Learn more about what's happening in the mines in Africa, Asia and Latin America where Europe sources its critical minerals.

Our energy transition heavily relies on a small number of countries and companies, concentrating power within supply chains. A handful of international corporations dominate both metals and coal mining industries, limiting ethical oversight. China plays a critical role. According to the USGS, China imported 80% of rare metals globally in 2019, threatening our metal access and Europe’s ability to influence climate, environmental, and human rights impacts.

Miners enable our energy supply at the front of the value chains, but they often work under harsh conditions. Workers are usually subjected to inhumane living and working conditions. Another major problem in the mining industry is outsourcing, which strips workers of job security, fair pay, basic rights and safety protections.

Our Fair Work Monitor is a survey tool, that local unions can use to collect data among workers, who can complete the survey easily and anonymously.

Our Fair Work Monitor in the mineral and coal mining sector in Latin America revealed that miners deal with horrendous working conditions on a daily basis. They are constantly exposed to dust and gases, and their companies do not provide them with adequate security and protection. This makes them vulnerable to silicosis, and irreversible respiratory disease.

There was also an obvious breach in labour conditions for outsourced or subcontracted workers compared to directly hired workers. These problems are discussed below.

Most mining companies outsource their labour, leaving a majority of workers employed by subcontractors. Our Fair Work Monitor has shown that less than a third of the miners are directly employed. 

Outsourcing creates the following significant vulnerabilities compared to directly employed workers: 

1. Short-term contracts: Subcontracted workers often receive contracts lasting just 3-6 months, with little job security.
2. Limited worker rights: Subcontracted employees are frequently denied the right to join unions or negotiate directly with mining companies, leaving them without a voice in improving their working conditions.
3. Unequal pay: Subcontracted workers earn, on average, 30% less than their permanently contracted colleagues, despite performing the same work.
4. No extra compensation: Subcontracted workers are often excluded from overtime pay and holiday compensation, further widening the income gap.
5. Grueling work schedules: Many endure excessively long shifts, such as Colombia's notorious "death shift"—7 consecutive days of 12-hour shifts followed by only 3 days off.
6. Unsafe and unhealthy conditions: Mineworkers in general risk serious occupational health and safety problems due to the extractive work. Access to health care and social security is indispensable now and in the future. OSH risks of outsourced workers are even higher.

CNV Internationaal strives for a transition that is not only environmentally sustainable  but also socially just. 

Learn more in our strategy and analysis paper >

A fair energy transition is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity. By investing in sustainable mining practices and establishing equitable partnerships, Europe can: 

• Reduce dependency on limited suppliers: Diversifying sources of critical raw materials enhances energy security and economic resilience. 
• Mitigate geopolitical risks: Transparent and fair supply chains decrease reliance on politically unstable regions. 
• Strengthen economic positioning: Responsible sourcing appeals to consumers and investors, providing a competitive advantage. 

To support fair and sustainable metals supply chains, CNV Internationaal offers a range of resources and tools. Through these resources  we aim to empower stakeholders to take action, promote transparency, and support workers in the mining industry. 

• Our analysis and proposals: A fair and sustainable energy transition
  Outlines our vision and strategies for ensuring a socially equitable just energy transition. 

> Position paper
 

• Fair work monitor 
  This participative monitoring tool helps trade unions assess working conditions, increases transparancy and helps to identify areas for improvement in global supply chains. 

> Fair Work Monitor in Mining
> Discover our Mining Fair Work Monitor 
 

• HREDD training toolkit for trade unions
   A practical guide to strengthen the capacity of unions to address human rights and environmental due diligence requirements. 

> Download the toolkit package
 

Detailed insights into mining practices, worker conditions, and union strategies in mining industry in Africa,  Asia and Latin America.   
 

AFRICA

• Research of the South African mining sector - Labour rights in transition mineral mining

> Key findings, recommendations

> Full research

ASIA

• Nickel essential for the energy transition, but at what cost
  Indonesia's role in the global nickel industry . 

>Thematic webpage
 

LATIN AMERICA

• Improving occupational health and safety in the mines in Bolivia and Peru 

> Project by partners of the Dutch International RBC Agreement in the metals sector with Tata Steel and Wupperman 
 

• Recommendations and key take aways for investors
  For investors and other stakeholders with a focus on outsourcing in the minerals supply chain in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia. 

> Recommendations and key take aways
 

• Analysis of the minerals supply chain
  Towards a just energy transition, Labour rights risks in the Latin American mining sector. 

> Research by Profundo
> Also available in Spanish
 

• Research OSH risks in mining

> Key outcomes and main risks 
> Download full research by Profundo PDF
 

• First complaint to the EU complaint mechanism 
  With the EU's complaint mechanism (called Single Entry Pointm SEP) we addressed precarious working conditions in the mines in Colombia and Peru, that produce the coal and metals indispensable for the European Union’s energy supply.

> Latest update and EU complaint
 

• Proposals of the Colombia Workers Collective: Labour Prospects of Energy Transition in Coal Mining

> Proposals
 

• Trade and financial relationships and the CSR approach of  mining companies - Colombian coal

>Overview by Profundo
 

WEBINARS
 

• The South African mining sector - Labour rights in transition mineral mining 

> Watch here
 

• OECD s minerals forum side webinars  
• Outsourcing in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia (2021):  clear recommendations  and key takeways on how to reduce the risks of outsourcing for stakeholders, metal buyers, traders, governments, investors, and also the mining companies themselves.

> Watch here
 

• Webinar serie: Scenarios for the energy transition 
  Together with partners of the Netherlands international RBC agreement for the metals industry (2022)

> Watch here