Defending communities from mining

Community leader Onsino Mato who is campaigning to stop large-scale mining on his people’s land [PIPLinks]

CAFOD supports two partner organisations working to protect communities and the environment from foreign mining interests.

DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI) was formed to campaign on the issue of large-scale mining in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao, and to protect the ancestral lands of the indigenous Subanen people against foreign mining interests.

The mining industry has a poor record of environmental and human rights abuses. Indigenous people – particularly the Subanen – have lost much land to foreign-owned mining interests, losing fishing and hunting grounds and areas where herbal medicines were grown. They have also suffered violence and intimidation by the mining companies.

Philippines Indigenous Links (PIPLinks) researches and monitors international mining company initiatives and plans for the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Philippines, and supplies this information to the affected communities, DCMI and other interested groups.

take action

Advent Appeal 2008 Will you reach out to a child in Bethlehem? Please send a message of support to kids this Advent at a special school run by a CAFOD partner

Shine a light in the darkness Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Buy a World Gift Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty