Continuing the topic of environmental protection and human rights, Papa Francis is listed on various injustices in the mining industry and urged not only to pay attention to them, but also to make changes to the entire industry. He stressed that many families, communities and individuals suffer directly or indirectly from the negative impacts of mining, as well as from corruption, illegal police actions and other industry-specific issues.
“The entire mining sector is undoubtedly obliged to make radical changes in order to improve the situation in many countries,” said the Pope. He highlighted the need for cooperation in the fight against the negative impact on the environment and in favor of sustainable development. He also recalled a story from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where people were set on fire, arrested and tortured during a protest against a mining company. In Chile, Brazil, and India, grassroots activists opposed to mining, water pollution, and environmental degradation have also been killed and made to suffer in every possible way because of their activism to prevent the negative effects of the mining industry.