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Mining threatens herders in Mongolia: report

Richard — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:14:52 +0000

Mining in southern Mongolia is threatening the livelihoods of herders and straining water supplies, a report said recently, as foreign companies race to exploit the country’s rich mineral deposits. Mongolia has opened up it vast reserves of natural resources to foreign investors in the hope of pulling thousands out of poverty, but activist groups said herders, townspeople and the environment were paying a heavy price. In 2009, Mongolia sealed a long-awaited multi-billion dollar deal with Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines and Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto to develop Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world’s richest copper deposits and a key gold source.

See http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ggU5a5myh4ewO_qJ9P-8EasAa_YQ?docId=CNG.b16557cdf41a87e85d20681fb83362ab.31.

Read the Bankwatch report at http://bankwatch.org/sites/default/files/spirited-away-mongolia-mining.pdf.

See the video at http://bankwatch.org/news-media/blog/video-spirited-away-mongolias-mining-boom-and-people-development-left-behind.

Colombia’s mining boom overshadowed by human rights violations

Richard — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:43:43 +0000

A report by Peace Brigades International (PBI) declares that Colombia’s current mining boom is overshadowed by human rights violations and mass displacement of residents in mining areas. “80% of the human rights violations that have occurred in Colombia in the last ten years were committed in mining and energy-producing regions, and 87% of Colombia’s displaced population originate from these places,” says the report published by the international human rights organisation last week.

Among London-listed mining companies active in Colombia are Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP Billiton, Glencore, Rio Tinto and Xstrata.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11381&l=1.

LMN groups and others send protest letter to President of Peru

Richard — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:44:18 +0000

There have been strong protests in the Cajamarca region of Peru with huge demonstrations, road blocks and occupation of the Conga gold mine site belonging to Yanacocha/Newmont. This resulted in police shooting unarmed protesters on 29 November and the mine announcing suspension of the project on the same day.

Given the entrenchment of opposition to mine, including by thousands of subsistence farmers who have said they are ready to die to prevent this mine, there appears to be a real risk of large scale violence.

LMN member group LAMMP co-ordinated the preparation of an open letter of protest to the President of Peru, and produced a video. The letter was co-signed by LMN, a number of its member groups, and many others. See http://lammp.org/2011/12/10/1750/.

Among investors in Newmont are UK-based Blackrock World Mining Trust and AXA Investment Managers UK. See http://moneytometal.org/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&button=&search=newmont.

Mining companies hold back progress on climate change

Richard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:24:52 +0000

The world’s biggest steel producer, ArcelorMittal, and global miner, BHP Billiton, are among companies “block[ing] progress on climate legislation”, while they “ensure that fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies continue to give unfair advantage to dirty energy”.

So says Greenpeace in a new report, released just prior to the climate change conference being held in Durban this week.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11329&l=1

Coal study names top 20 ‘climate killer’ banks

Richard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:23:46 +0000

Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC are among the top banks that have lent billions of euros to the coal sector – despite their much-vaunted environmental credentials, a new investigation has found.

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/30/coal-banks.

Report available at http://www.banktrack.org/download/bankrolling_climate_change/climatekillerbanks_final_0.pdf.

New reports question World Bank’s coal investments

Richard — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:22:08 +0000

As the climate talks in South Africa approached, the World Bank continued to be overshadowed by past and prospective loans for fossil-fuel power plants.

See
http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11332&l=1

Human rights of women and girls at ‘extreme risk’ in nearly half the world

Richard — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:39:14 +0000

Companies operating in resource-rich countries risk complicity in actions by security forces against women. The results of the Women’s and Girls’ Right Index (WGRI), released by risk analysis and mapping company Maplecroft, reveal that the rights of women and girls are at ‘extreme risk’ within 80 countries, including 33 from sub-Saharan Africa, nearly all of the Middle East and North Africa region and many emerging economies. One of the main findings of the WGRI relates to the conduct of state and private security forces that are utilised by companies in the protection of high value assets, such as oil drilling operations, mines or plantations.

See http://maplecroft.com/about/news/womens_girls_right_index.html.

BHP Billiton – Dirty Energy

Richard — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:12:51 +0000

BHP Billiton holds its Australian AGM on Thursday 17 November. A coalition of organisations including London Mining Network has produced an ‘alternative annual report’: BHP Billiton – Dirty Energy.

To read the alternative report, see http://bhpbillitonwatch.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/bhpb_report_sml.pdf.

Investors out of Phulbari

Richard — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:49:54 +0000

London Mining Network joined 84 other organisations in signing a letter to investors in London-listed GCM Resources’ Phulbari coal project in Bangladesh, calling on them to disinvest.

See http://www.accountabilityproject.org/article.php?id=668.…
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PICKET!! STOP LA COLOSA GOLD MINE

Richard — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:00:48 +0000

2pm on FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER at the Colombian Embassy at 3 Hans Crescent, London, SW1X 0LN.

Nearest tube: Knightsbridge.

Organised by:

Colombia Solidarity Campaign

Movimiento 22

COLOMBIA, the second most BIODIVERSE country in the world, home to 105 INDIGENOUS CULTURES, is under theat by MINING MULTINATIONALS. Mining titles now cover 8% of national territory. London-listed ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI holds the majority of them, many in Indigenous or Afro-Colombian lands, or areas with UNIQUE or IRREPLACEABLE ECOSYSTEMS. Land is being handed over to mining companies with the blessing of the Colombian state.

On 3 June this year, 13,000 people marched in the streets of Tolima to say YES TO LIFE, and NO TO LA COLOSA MINE. Unless stopped, La Colosa will become the largest open cast gold mine in South America. Nestled in the Colombian Andes in an area of strategic importance as a ‘water factory’, the CYANIDE used to process the ore will contaminate water for drinking and irrigation for the wider region. Colombians are demanding the right to continue living in a clean and safe environment.

The people of Tolima will march again on 14 OCTOBER. They would like Colombians and Friends of Colombia throughout the world to show their Solidarity, by convening at their closest Colombian Embassy on the day to say YES TO LIFE, and NO TO THE MINE. Our solidarity is of utmost importance as recently, threats have been received by opponents of the mine in Anaime, near Cajamarca, Tolima.

Bring Placards, Banners and let’s make a noise!!

More info:

Report: LA COLOSA: The Quest for El Dorado in Cajamarca, Colombia
http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/mining/548-la-colosa-the-quest-for-el-dorado-in-cajamarca-colombia

Documentary: Gold Fever in Cajamarca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHxcZZ50opU

Documentary: AngloGold Ashanti in Ghana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Mz4hsCEpk

Threats to opponents of the mine: http://www.elnuevodia.com.co/nuevodia/tolima/regional/112789-campesinos-de-anaime-amenazados-por-coincidencias

Move Beyond Coal, Now

Richard — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:32:59 +0000

The coal industry is racing to ensure its place in our world’s future before safer, healthier and cheaper clean energy takes hold.

Ill-equipped to compete and survive in the emerging clean energy economy it must rely on political clout, misleading public relations campaigns, and the externalization of devastating human health, social, and environmental costs.

In community after community around the world this has stirred a toxic brew of deadly pollution, lost livelihoods, intimidation, and corruption.

This publication gives voice to the brave activists from around the world whose daily struggle bears witness to this ongoing tragedy as they counter the ravenous nature of this dirty, dangerous, and outdated industry. Rather than be bowed by the industry’s onslaught, these activists are leading communities across the world to band together and fight back. Their valiant struggle comes at a time when clean energy is being rapidly deployed without sacrificing communities or ecosystems. An inconvenient truth the coal industry is fighting to suppress as it attempts to claw its way into the 21st century.

From the aquamarine waters off Cirebon Indonesia, to the historic Appalachian mountains of the United States, to the lush biodiversity of the Konkan coast of India communities around the world are issuing a clarion call to end the coal industry’s wanton destruction and seize the momentous opportunity clean energy presents. These are their stories.

See http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/narratives/downloads/MoveBeyondCoalNow.pdf.

See also London Mining Network’s draft declaration on coal mining at http://londonminingnetwork.org/2011/07/draft-declaration-on-coal-mining/ and let us know if you agree with it.

UK groups call on UN to call UK Government to book over corporate racism

Richard — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:12:18 +0000

Submissions to the UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 79th Session with regard to the United Kingdom’s responsibility to ensure respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples overseas in the context of UK transnational corporations (TNC) activities impacting on them.

The UK will be reviewed on the 23rd and 24th of August and the concluding observations should be posted at the close of the session on the 2nd of September.

Amnesty International’s submission is at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ngos/AI_UK_CERD79.pdf.

Submission by PIPLinks, Down to Earth, University of Middlesex and London Mining Network is at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/ngos/UKERIP_UK_CERD79.doc.

‘Voice of responsible shareholders’ slams Vedanta

Richard — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:20:00 +0000

Investment research and advisory body PIRC issued a critical report on Vedanta in advance of the company’s AGM.

The report is available at http://www.pirc.co.uk/sites/default/files/Vedanta%202010.pdf.…
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India: Vedanta Orissa projects ban must be upheld

Richard — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:28:00 +0000

Amnesty International press release, 24 July 2011

Ongoing attempts by UK-based mining company Vedanta Resources to overturn an Indian government decision blocking a proposed bauxite mine and expansion of an alumina refinery in Orissa should not be allowed to succeed, new report by Amnesty International says.

The report, Generalisations, Omissions, Assumptions, reveals that the company has failed to adequately consider the human impact of its proposed projects with an investment of US$ 1,7 billion in Orissa.

See http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/india-vedanta-orissa-projects-ban-must-be-upheld-2011-07-24.

Slide show on nuclear power and uranium mining

Richard — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:25:46 +0000

London Mining Network believes that the use of uranium produces a radioactive legacy which threatens the wellbeing of thousands of generations to come.

Concern about climate change has led some commentators to support nuclear energy as a lower-carbon alternative to coal, oil and gas in generating electricity. But the nuclear option poses dangers both in waste disposal and in the impacts of uranium mining on the communities – many of them Indigenous communities – living around, downstream, or downwind of the mines.

See the slideshow at http://www.slideshare.net/Marika-Marakkar/not-in-my-backyard-uranium-mining.

For a list of materials on uranium, see http://londonminingnetwork.org/tag/uranium/.