At a recent community meeting in the Stroud School of Arts Hall in August 2008 to highlight the Duralie mine waste water disposal threat (marine park threat), a local farmer addressed the meeting. The following is an extract of essentially what he was saying (not quoted):
"He stated that all present should first consider the benefits they enjoy from the spin offs from mining - eg electricity, steel, roads, and others - before they condemn mining activity.
He also pointed out that the mining activity brings local jobs and cash flow to the local community and that some farmers have found that their business has looked up since mining started."
There was more along the same general theme.
He was, of course, absolutely correct in what he was saying - from his perspective and set of values, but he missed the point entirely - that the meeting was not about stopping mining (although many would like this option), it was about the mine concerned (and others) not complying with their conditions of operation and wanting to change existing conditions after the event. In particular it was about the intended pollution of a pristine river system.
I think many of us grudgingly accept the fact that mining is part of society and we do get benefits, but as a democratic society, we expect all to comply with the rules of that society both moral and legislative. If we have Governments that become "corrupt" - sooner or later they will be removed otherwise we descend into anarchy. It does work with its bumps along the way.
If the idiots who advise mine management would only wake up and realise that if they simply complied with the "rules" and considered the wider community, most conflicts would go away and they could continue their business activity - but no - they remain idiots.
I find it amazing that, as a species, we rely on 3 absolute requirements to survive (and I add two more):
1. clean fresh air.
2. clean fresh water.
3. unspoiled land on which to grow our food.
4. preserving nature's biodiversity.
5. respect for the privacy, peace and quite, and comfort of others.
And what do we do - we are hellbent on destroying all 5 as fast as possible !
What more could I say.