Not long ago, supposed "environmental justice" concerns at least involved risks to mine workers and their families. The risks may have been inflated, or ignored for decades, but they were a major focus.
In one case, a state-run mine and smelter had fouled the air, land and water with toxic contaminants in a Peruvian town for 75 years. Environmental groups raised few objections--until a U.S. company bought the properties and began installing modern pollution controls, implementing worker health and safety practices, cleaning up widespread lead dust, and initiating numerous community improvement projects.
