This is Mine: Pension Action

The hundreds of people who have taken action have helped to raise awareness about the impact of our investments on people and environments, not just to their pension fund companies but to friends and parishes all over the country

Rashmi Mistry, CAFOD head of campaigns

Since launching our This is Mine pensions action in May 2008, more than 600 of you contacted your pension funds, using your influence as investors to get mining companies to clean up their act.

Along with our partners FairPensions, we have been monitoring responses and more than 80 pensions funds were contacted by concerned campaigners.

With the average pension being worth £90,000, you have collectively wielded an influence to the tune of £54 million!

FairPensions Duncan Exley reflects on the progress made, saying: "We have to be realistic about the impact we can have in the short term, but we’ve already seen signs of investors taking a fresh look at mining companies' activities and asking tough questions.

"Mining companies are now aware that their human and environmental impact is now being watched and may soon be challenged."

Thank you to everyone who took action - we will keep you updated as we take this important work forward in 2009.

Published on 17/04/2008, last updated on 10/02/2009
Why take action?
Alfred Buju meets miners in the DRC

Aged eleven, Alfred Buju (pictured right) was already splitting his time between going to school and going down the mine.

This was a necessary balancing act for a boy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) determined to better himself.

The hardships of a miner’s life struck a chord during his five years in the pit searching for gold - and inspired him to one day help those around him.

He is now head of CAFOD partner the Justice and Peace Commission.

He says: "It built within me a sense of taking control of myself. It helped me to endure suffering.”

"Faith is a journey and you have to walk in the footsteps of those who came before you.

"Without sacrifice, there cannot be change.”

Please take the action now, and join Alfred in making a difference

Q&As
A child gold miner in the DRC [Richard Wainwright] Pensions Q&A

The top ten questions and answers about the new Unearth Justice action to pension funds. What's it for? Will it work? What can I do to help?