Digging and drilling, what for? Realities and wrong truths about the extractive renewal in France

Whereas a lot has already been published about human and environmental impacts of mining activities and of oil drillings in developing countries, extractive projects in developed countries have also dramatic environmental and health impacts, notably in France. In this context, this report aims at highlighting the present will of industrials with the support of the government to re-launch the exploitation of the French sub-soil, and at showing that the associated communication contains wrong truths in order to convince the population of the possibility of clean and responsible mines and drillings, and to obtain a social acceptability whereas populations living about Salsigne or Lacq could easily be witnesses of past and present health and environmental impacts. The report discusses the origins of this renewal of extraction projects, comments the situation regarding shale hydrocarbons, outlines the existence of a large number of hydrocarbon exploration permits, notices that drillings have already started in Lorraine, and the very discrete but actual character of the re-launching of mining activities. It also comments the reform of the mining code. Then, it gives an overview of these different wrong truths used to justify extraction activities: raw material independence, climatic impact, clean and responsible mining, job creation. Some recommendations are finally stated