It is utterly inadequate to protect the living environment and especially the water supplies of mining affected communities. I think there is a level of ineptness that was demonstrated particularly in the case of the San Martin mine, around dealing with both health and environmental harms, which aren't disconnected.
There had been indications within a couple of years of the San Martin mine opening, complaints of public health concerns that had arisen from the communities. A series of actions on the part of communities and independent supports triggered a study by a forensic unit in the Honduran state in 2007. Instead of carrying out those tests and returning the results to the community, they sat on the results for four years, which gave the company time to pack up and close its operation.
They have yet to expand and further develop those tests to actually do adequate studies to understand the causes and to also address them.
There are also inadequate protections, particularly for a crucial stage of mining, which is closure plans and ensuring that there are fully financed bonds and publicized, sufficient plans in place for mines. Again, that is demonstrated with the San Martin mine—