Extractive industries

Large mining and oil extraction activities generate some of the biggest environmental problems in the world. For instance, US EPA recognizes mining wastes as the major environmental concern in the US. Remote areas are especially affected by the lack of environmental control. In some areas wastewater from extraction activities can present concentrations of polluting elements up to a thousand times the maximum allowed limit.

Results
In its first year Source International has: Contributed to the revision of the Honduran Mining Law into a new law that is more respectful of environment and human rights Achieved a declaration of environmental emergency and a restoration plan for the Pastaza river basin (in the Peruvian Amazon forest). Implemented a monitoring system for oil extraction in Basilicata, Italy, together with local secondary schools. Achieved the establishment of a roundtable negotiation between the community of Carrizalillo, (Guerrero, Mexico) and the mining company Goldcorp in order to obtain compensation for environmental damages.

Designed a national plan to control mining pollution in Mexico.

In some cases the median age at death of affected communities is less than half of the national one and some pollution-related illnesses (like skin problems or gastrointestinal diseases) can have an incidence close to 90% (See www.source-international.org for various studies). Moreover, the social impacts as well as the impact on traditional ways of life of indigenous populations are often not sufficiently taken into account.

www.source-international.org www.source info@source-international.org info@source

Who we are
Source International is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 and currently based in Italy. The organization operates with communities around the world that are dealing with environmental pollution and health problems principally caused by extractive industries. Source International provides high-level technological and scientific support completely free of charge to communities with whom it works, helping them to assess the damage to the communitys resources and enabling them to promote restorative actions. In addition, Source International also trains local leaders, called promoters, so that these can develop and promote their own environmental and social monitoring systems.

Our job
Source International offers high quality scientific environmental analysis to local communities. Together with the community, Source International takes care of the entire process: defining the location of sampling sites, sample collection and preservation according to the protocols established by law, as well as carrying out scientific analysis in internationals certificate laboratories. Source International works with samples of water, soil, sediments and biological materials. Source International can carry out studies related to the social impact and human rights violation of extractive industries. Source International trains local leader to enable them to carry out a basic social and environmental monitoring system. Through some partner Source International can provide legal and strategic assistance.

Who believes in us?

Source Internationals founder and president, Flaviano Bianchini, is currently the only Italian Ashoka Fellow and Source International has been recognized as one of the 30 most innovative ideas of 2012 by the ABC Continuity Forum in Miami, USA. Furthermore, Source International was nominated for the Gifted Citizen Award at La Ciudad de las Ideas in Mexico, as well as for the 11th Human Rights Award by Global Exchange. Lastly, Source International is nominated for the Katerva Award, which has been defined by Reuters as the Nobel Prize of sustainability.

Flaviano Bianchini Founder & President

Sander Otten Project manager

Federico Helfgott Anthropologist

James Rodriguez Photography & Communication