Friends of the Earth Netherlands published the rapport 'Mining Matters' (download pdf). In this report mining practices in ten developing coutries are reviewed with regard to labour rights, human rights and the environment. The mining products examined are tin, bauxite and copper, metals which have major trade links with companies in the Netherlands.

Mining practices in the following countries are reviewed:

• Tin: Indonesia, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burma.
• Bauxite: Guinea (Africa) and Jamaica.
• Copper: Chile, Peru, Zambia and Indonesia (Grasberg).

Also reviewed are the policies of seven companies in the Netherlands importing/using the metals: Corus, Philips, Heineken, Coca-Cola (all tin), Draka (copper cables), Klesch & Company Limited (two aluminium smelters) and Alpha-Fry technologies (daughter of UK-based Cookson group; tin solder).

The reviewed companies do not feel a strong responsibility for the mining practices occurring upstream in their supply chains. Friends of the Earth Netherlands strongly appeals to western governments to turn their attention to the severe problems in the mining sector, and also to develop a policy on the use of scarce metal.