About Us

EARTHWORKS Mission
EARTHWORKS is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and the environment from the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide.

"We need a watchdog to protect the earth's resources and communities from mining, drilling and digging -- EARTHWORKS is that watchdog.  And EARTHWORKS gets results." -- Mike McCloskey, Former Executive Director of the Sierra Club and EARTHWORKS founder and advisory board member

EARTHWORKS stands for clean water, healthy communities and corporate accountability.  We're working for solutions that protect the earth's resources and communities.

How We Work
We fulfill our mission by working with communities and grassroots groups to reform government policies, improve corporate practices, influence investment decisions and encourage responsible materials sourcing and consumption. 

We expose the health, environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of mining through work informed by sound science.

The Genesis of EARTHWORKS
EARTHWORKS brings together activists, organizers, scientists, engineers, and community leaders in a unified effort to protect our communities and the earth's resources.

EARTHWORKS evolved from the work of the Mineral Policy Center (MPC).  MPC was founded by Phil Hocker, Mike McCloskey and former Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall to help reform mining laws and practices in the U.S.  MPC has worked largely behind the scenes to combat the destructive impacts of mining, drilling and digging.  MPC has a track record of success. 

MPC has won every community-based campaign in which it has participated, such as protecting Yellowstone National Park from the proposed New World gold mine, protecting 400,000 acres of the scenic Rocky Mountain Front, preventing mineral development near Yosemite National Park and helping to defend Argentina's pristine Patagonia region from another proposed open-pit gold mine.  MPC worked to expose mining industry toxic releases, by requiring mining companies to report their toxic releases in the U.S.  MPC also worked to impose a moratorium on the $2.50 an acres giveaways of public lands to mining companies by the U.S. government. 

Collaboration, Efficiency and Effectiveness--
The EARTHWORKS Partnership
EARTHWORKS is more than just a name change!  EARTHWORKS is a new partnership designed by MPC to respond to and solve the growing threats to the earth's natural resources, clean water, biodiversity, special places and communities from irresponsible mining, drilling, and digging -- and to bring our message to the public. 

EARTHWORKS is organized for more collaboration and greater efficiency.  Collaboration will lead to greater success and make us more efficient so that we're maximizing every contribution.