The other day I came across a blog post entitled “The Irresponsibility of Responsible Mining”. I don’t remember who wrote it but it was a well-written critique of the idea of responsible mining.

My praise for it stops at the door of the writing; I cannot say the same for the thesis: because the thesis of the author is this: how can we say there is “responsible mining” when we don’t even have a definition of it?

And he adds: if we don’t have a definition of it and in effect default to the mining firms to define. “Responsible mining” as they see fit,then that’s irresponsible.

To support his cause the author cites laws such as the Philippine Mining Act which he says do not state in clear and unmistakable language what “responsible mining” means.

Using that logic then I guess we can say there are no responsible parents, or responsible citizens, or responsible anything! Because you tell me where it is written in clear and unmistakable language what being a “responsible parent” means.

In fact, the Philippine Mining Act, by laying out in clear and unmistakable terms what the responsibilities and obligations of large scale mining operations are, effectively “defines” responsible mining. It is that operation that at the minimum complies with the requirements of the law! As it is with us citizens - from paying taxes diligently and regularly to following the law in general - that’s what it means to be a responsible citizen.

The moment a citizen - or a mining firm - crosses the line and violates the law, then in that instance he or it is irresponsible and must face the consequences of its acts or failures.

If crossing the line is not just a one-time thing or an aberration but an obvious “way of life”, then the citizen - the individual or the corporate - will need to be subjected to harsher penal- ties which may include being denied the right to exist.

Companies lose their licenses and individuals lose their freedoms (or worse!).

So there.

Is there such a thing as responsible mining? Of course there is. I can show you a good example of you are really interested to see for yourself. But if you are one of those who insist that “responsible mining” is an oxymoron, then so be it.

Many still don’t believe we evolved from apes anyway!