Mines, Minerals and People (MM&P)

mm&P (mines, minerals & PEOPLE) is a growing alliance of individuals, institutions and communities who are concerned and affected by mining. The isolated struggles of different groups have ledthem to form into broad a national alliance for combating the destructive nature of mining. mm&P members at present are - more than 100 grass-roots groups, - About 20 diverse support organisations, - Across 16 States With the purpose of ... - Supporting local struggles, - Legal and Media advocacy, - Information, documentation, research and fact finding, - Developing campaign strategies, - Skill share, Jatras, Exchanges, - National and International networking, - Technical and Scientific Expertise. Challenges ahead.... - To bring a uniform and balanced mineral policy - Protection of rights of indigenous communities, - Fight for people's control over mineral resources, - Stress for minimum mining, - Explore better sustainable alternatives to mining, - Resist environment destruction, - Monitor global and Indian mining industries. Of Choices.... - Mining should be the last resort for the use of land. Before resorting to mining, comparable usability of - resources from existing sources, i.e. recycling and storage dumps should be made, - There is much greater wealth for human kind above these minerals, - One species of medicinal plant which turns out a medicine can be worth ten times the total produce of minerals. - Community knowledge of various aspects of human life from medicinal plants to community organisation is worth ten times the value of a plant species. .... and Alternatives - They should gear towards a national policy of what has to be mined and what should not be mined, from the interest of the people rather than the Markets and the Industry. - They therefore feel the progressive nations should go beyond economics of the market place and understand global stewardship, - they should contribute to minimising mining, - and seek ways where they can replace non renewable with more renewables. Of values and Decisions..... - The minerals will be forever - if people do not mine them, - The wealth above will never be ours - if people mine them.. ... and therefore, in togetherness they appeal: Emphasise Minimum Mining