Today, we are witness to the 4th anniversary of a Brumadinho
mining tragedy and grieve how deeply it has impacted the people
of Brumadinho and Brazil. This single tragedy, and the 270 deaths it
led to, was appalling.
We are deeply mindful that the cry for justice from the community
remains. I would like to pay tribute to Angelica here today as a
representative of the community, and to the members of the
community online. Their presence demonstrates their community’s
deep humility and its inspirational desire to ensure that no other
community around the world should suffer as they have.
Many here today and present at the Service of Remembrance led
by Bishop David and Archbishop Thabo, wish to respond to that
and work together to help reshape the mining sector in an image
that enables human flourishing. It is an endeavour that has my full
support and prayers.
In light of that, I welcome and fully endorse the launch today of the
Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030, together with His
Grace Dr Thabo Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town.
This Commission, launched at the London Stock Exchange by the
Church of England Pensions Board and supported by investors, the
Principles for Responsible Investment and technically supported by
the United Nations Environment Programme, represents a vital
opportunity to ensure we can address the many systemic
challenges that undermine the social license of the mining sector.
Whilst there is good practice in the industry and new leaders
emerging, the sector cannot and should not do this alone. It must
carry the confidence of many actors if it is to fulfil its future role to
society and in providing the minerals for the low carbon transition.
We have a responsibility to address them together and to do so
with a commitment that when we extract, we do no harm to
people and the environment.
Where that harm does occur we must collectively work towards
genuine reconciliation. And we must strive to have a transition that
is based upon fairness and justice and not exploitation of the
weakest. This is a striving that reflects God’s heart for his world.
A practical vision for what this sector can become, carrying the
confidence of its stakeholders, is the task set for this Commission
and importantly an agenda that can then be pursued to bring the
vision to a reality in every mine around the world.
Together with Archbishop Thabo we will support the Commission
and look forward to hearing how this vital work will advance