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AngloGold to invest $400m in Colombia 2013-15

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:53:13 +0000

AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s No. 3 gold producer, plans to invest $400-million in Colombia in the 2013-2015 period at its La Colosa deposit and other gold exploration projects, a company executive said on Friday. Some $300-million is earmarked for exploration work at La Colosa, Colombia’s largest gold deposit, located in the southern Tolima province. The remaining $100-million would be invested in exploration projects in the regions of Antioquia, Cauca, Bolivar and Caldas, AngloGold’s CEO in Colombia, Rafael Herz, said during a mining conference in the port city of Cartagena.

See http://www.miningweekly.com/article/anglogold-to-invest-400m-in-colombia-2013-15-2012-05-21.

Colombia’s resistance to corporate mining excess has lessons for the world

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:52:07 +0000

Voluntary guidelines are not enough. We must ensure our critical gaze on exploitative mining firms does not waver.

This article mentions smallscale mining in Colombia. One of the companies threatening small scale miners’ livelihoods is AngloGold Ashanti.

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/may/14/colombia-resistance-corporate-mining-excess.

Colombia: going for gold

Richard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:51:44 +0000

Small-Scale Miners in Nariño Face Crackdown as Foreign Companies Set Sights on Colombia.

This article involves South African-based, London-listed AngloGold Ashanti.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11642.

In Ghana, a mining activist fights the gold goliaths

Richard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:50:25 +0000

Whether on billboards along the roads or embroidered on shirt collars, mining companies – including London-listed AngloGold Ashanti – are ubiquitous in this jungle hub of Ghana’s Western Region. Their presence is sometimes lost behind the lazy-leafed plantain trees, drooping palm fronds, and steep, green hills encasing the town, but a mountain of waste rock obscures much of the horizon.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11625.

Colombia: NGOs, African-descent and Indigenous communities challenge AngloGold Ashanti

Richard — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:47:48 +0000

Local and international NGOs say black & indigenous communities did not consent to London-listed AngloGold Ashanti’s operations on their lands, raise concerns about respect for human rights amid ongoing conflict. Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited AngloGold Ashanti to respond.

See http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1012252.

AngloGold Ashanti increased CEO compensation by 24%

Richard — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:47:00 +0000

CEO Mark Cutifani’s compensation was raised 24% in 2011 as profit rose to a record, the Johannesburg-based, London-listed gold miner said in its annual report published on its website.

See http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page504?oid=148827&sn=Detail&pid=92730.…
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Mining: Growing backlash against groups who are ‘minting it’

Richard — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:52:23 +0000

The [gold] informal rush is indicative of a broader problem with the country’s mining sector – the sense that foreign companies have minted it from their concessions delivering few benefits either to the Ghanaian economy or to the wider population beyond the employment they provide…Governments across Africa are trying to extract more revenue from the mining industry against the backdrop of booming commodity prices and widespread perceptions that the region’s mineral wealth has not translated into broader prosperity…The corporate tax is problematic, however. Ghana granted stabilisation clauses to many of the companies who rushed to the country in the 1990s and thereafter. Any subsequent changes to the terms, would be a breach of contract. AngloGold Ashanti, for example, has said it does not expect to be affected by the new taxes because of the agreement it signed with the Ghanaian state in 2004…

See http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1010152.

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.

Mining’s toxic sludge threatens Johannesburg

Richard — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:27:48 +0000

Thousands of people face evacuation from greater Johannesburg in the Gauteng province – the economic heartland of South Africa – due to toxic sludge from abandoned gold mines laced with high radiation levels.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11315.

Among companies which have mined for gold in South Africa over many years are London-listed Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti. It is unclear whether any of their former operations are implicated.

Ghana to hike taxes on mining companies

Richard — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:16:25 +0000

Ghana will seek to boost revenues from its mining industry next year by hiking taxes, according to a text of the 2012 budget delivered to parliament recently. The corporate tax rate on miners will increase to 35 percent from 25 percent and a separate 10 percent tax on windfall profits will be introduced, according to the text.

Firms operating in Ghana include subsidiaries of Newmont Gold, London-listed AngloGold Ashanti and South Africa-based Goldfields.

See http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE7AF06Z20111116.

Colombia mining projects delayed over environmental issues

Richard — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:56:36 +0000

Colombia’s foreign-led Angostura and La Colosa mining projects have been delayed due to environmental concerns. Angostura is owned by Eco Oro, formerly Greystar, a Canadian company listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). La Colosa is owned by notorious South African-based AngloGold Ashanti, which has a listing on the London Stock Exchange.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11274&l=1.

Ghanaians demand justice from gold miners

Richard — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:23:16 +0000

A Ghanaian business magazine has revealed that the state holds no stake in any of five major gold mining enterprises operating in the country. Ghana’s Mine Workers Union is calling for a windfall tax to be applied to excess profits made by the industry.

Among the gold mining companies active in Ghana is London-listed AngloGold Ashanti.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11246.

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

Colombia to the Congo: Lust for Gold Threatens Environment & Human Rights

Richard — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 09:44:26 +0000

Nestled alongside the central range of the Andes lies the town of Cajamarca, Colombia, also known as la dispensa agricola de Colombia: literally Colombia’s agricultural larder. The fertile environs surrounding this settlement of twenty thousand souls play host to bumper crop of coffee, peas, kidney beans and fruits. Nourished by fresh mountain springs that in turn trickle downwards toward the rice growing lowlands of Tolima, Cajamarca, sits amidst a contrasting landscape of agricultural endeavor and natural beauty.

But this is threatened by AngloGold Ashanti‘s mining plans.

See http://www.towardfreedom.com/americas/2549-colombia-to-the-congo-lust-for-gold-threatens-environment-a-human-rights

AngloGold May Lift Output 68% by 2020 Excluding Acquisitions

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd (ANG), the third- largest producer of the metal, may increase output 68 percent by 2020 excluding any acquisitions as it seeks to reverse declines.

See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-26/anglogold-ashanti-says-production-could-rise-to-7-6-million-ounces-in-2020.html.

Human rights violations continue in Ghana’s mining sector

Richard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:54:07 +0000

International humanitarian organization Oxfam America calls on Ghana’s government to address ongoing human rights violations in the West African nation’s mining industry.

The call to action comes after 23-year old Kwame Eric was shot to death August 10 by an employee of Ghanatta Security Services, a private security firm hired by gold mining company, Anglo Gold Ashanti.

See http://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/pressreleases/human-rights-violations-continue-in-ghanas-mining-sector.