The German Institute for Applied Ecology (Oeko Institut) recently sent a letter of concern to the GeSI/EICC Extractives Working Group. In this letter, the Oeko Institut outlines some issues considered important when taking action in the field of mining and minerals.

The Oeko Institut deems that the current course of the working group leads into the wrong direction. The concerns of the Oeko Institut are mainly based on the fact that the EICC is strongly focusing on tracing and tracking activities in combination with the analysis and enforcement of Codes of Conducts and other ethical standard documents and declarations.

In particular, the Oeko Institut fears that the approach of the EICC-GeSi Extractives Working Group will further marginalises artisanal mining, on top of having quite limited net-effects on the ground.

Full letter attached.