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Pope Meets Mining Boss to Debate Ethics
Description
The head of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, met with Pope Leo the Fourteenth to pitch a vision for ethical rare earth mining in Latin America—arguing that with safeguards and local value creation, the region could benefit economically without repeating its exploitative past. The Vatican, long critical of mining’s harm to Indigenous communities and ecosystems, has been pushing for divestment, especially in Latin America. Goldfajn’s visit, following mining executives, underscores the Pope’s influence in the region and aims to counter his concerns with a model of responsible extraction. Critical minerals like lithium and cobalt power modern tech, and the IDB is actively seeking investment in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. The Pope, who served as a missionary in Peru, knows firsthand the damage mining has caused—and his upcoming trip there will likely reignite the conversation. The push for sustainable, community-centered mining continues, balancing global demand with local justice.
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