Armed Conflict
(In cooperation with the International
Institute for Strategic Studies)
MMSD and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) co-hosted
an experts' workshop on armed conflict and natural resources, with particular
reference to the minerals sector, at the IISS offices in London on 11
July 2001. This workshop was the first in a series planned by MMSD that
explored the interface between the minerals sector and Armed Conflict,
Human Rights (Berlin, 6 September 2001)
and Corruption (Berlin, 7 September 2001).
The workshop was attended by over 30 experts, representing the minerals
industry, governments, NGOs and academia from many parts of the world,
including Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Peru. The case
studies presented focused on experience in Papua New Guinea, on the
issue of conflict diamonds in Angola, and on the role which voluntary
principles and binding agreements can play in preventing, lessening
and resolving conflict.
It was widely agreed that armed conflict could become an increasingly
significant factor for the minerals industry in the future, not least
because the demand for minerals located in politically unstable areas
of the world, where ownership is often poorly defined, is likely to
increase. Many major operations are also nearing the end of their productive
lives, and mine closure often heightens tensions and leads to disputes
which can escalate into violent conflict.
Conflict is invariably the enemy of sustainable development. It can
lead to the loss of lives and livelihoods, to the abuse of human rights,
and to political and economic turmoil hindering development. The nature
of conflict may vary from full-scale civil war - which may or may not
be triggered by mining operations - to minor skirmishes. It is important
at the outset to distinguish between conflicts which stem from the activities
of the minerals industry, and conflicts which are directly or indirectly
financed by the minerals industry. The creation of vast open pits, the
appropriation of land without adequate compensation, the failure to
negotiate with local communities: these may fuel conflict, but conflict
may not be part of the business plan. In contrast, the digging of diamonds
in rebel-held territory in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Angola is providing
the rebels with the wherewithal to purchase arms and perpetuate long
and bloody conflicts.
After vigorous debate it was accepted that tackling conflict involves
a multiplicity of approaches, from the global to the local and that
it is not a matter of either/or, of having either voluntary principles
or binding agreements. "We need a combination of incentives, voluntary
initiatives and legislation," said one participant, since different
initiatives serve different purposes at different levels.
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