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Mineral-Rich Mongolia Rapidly Becoming ‘Mine-golia’

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:56:02 +0000

Mongolia, the land of Genghis Khan and nomadic herders, is in the midst of a remarkable transition. Rich in coal, gold and copper, this country of fewer than 3 million people in Central Asia is riding a mineral boom that is expected to more than double its GDP within a decade. The rapid changes simultaneously excite and unnerve many Mongolians, who hope mining can help pull many out of poverty, but worry it will ravage the environment and further erode the nation’s distinctive, nomadic identity. Much of the focus these days is on Oyu Tolgoi, a mega-mine in Mongolia’s South Gobi province, about 50 miles north of the Chinese border. The mine — owned by international mining giant Rio Tinto, Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines and the Mongolian government — is scheduled to produce its first copper ore in June and grow dramatically over the next five years.

See http://www.npr.org/2012/05/21/152683549/mineral-rich-mongolia-rapidly-becoming-minegolia.

Mongolia backtracks on state ownership of mining companies

Call it “resources nationalism” if you wish – or simply an attempt by government to secure the best possible returns from leasing out its mineral properties. In any event, political debate in Mongolia over terms of entry by foreign companies to its huge mining deposits, has wildly swung between extremes over the past few years. Now it seems that, if the present ruling party wins elections in June, all pretense at “capturing extractive wealth” for the people will have been virtually abandoned. This may be good news to Rio Tinto, involved at the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11701.

VIDEO: Embera indigenous people say ‘no’ to Rio Tinto associate in Colombia

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:54:32 +0000

Careperro Mountain (“Haykatumá in the indigenous Embera language,) is one of the most sacred and important sites for the Embera culture. Beneath this mountain, lies gold, copper and other minerals. London-listed Rio Tinto is associated with the companies conducting exploration there.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=750jClHAJmM&feature=BFa&list=UUu_aw9s-qZtPhkr8UnRB1_g.

For background, see http://londonminingnetwork.org/?s=mande+norte.

Indigenous Nations United

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:50:34 +0000

Each year, Indigenous organisations testify at a United Nations Forum against the rampant desecration of their territories. This year is no exception, with vigorous statements ranging from the Arctic, through Asia and Africa to Latin America.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11706 and http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11709.

The age of extreme oil: “This used to be a forest?”

Richard — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:44:37 +0000

Achuar Indigenous People from Peru inspect Canada’s tarsands.

See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-age-of-extreme-oil-this-used-to-be-a-forest/article2437730/.

Campaign Update: Bangladesh: Mining Company Renews Efforts

Richard — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:17:36 +0000

With the appointment of a new director, the London-based company GCM Resources is redoubling its efforts to install the Phulbari coal mine in Northern Bangladesh, despite calls by the UN for the project’s immediate halt. Please take action!

See http://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/campaign-update-bangladesh-mining-company-renews-efforts or http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14975:bangladesh-mining-company-renews-efforts&catid=33:central-asia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=66

Indigenous and Afro-Colombians of Jiguamiandó – Rights are Upheld

Richard — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:06:42 +0000

The Colombian Constitutional Court has once again reaffirmed the suspension order made on Muriel Mining Corporation’s Mandé Norte Project in Chocó. Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining corporations (and registered on the London Stock Exchange), has an 80% option on exploitation and has been the major contributor to bankrolling the exploration phase of the Mandé Norte Mining Project.

See http://www.abcolombia.org.uk/subpage.asp?subid=463&mainid=23.

Philippines: Miners and military create refugees

Richard — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:03:01 +0000

Displaced indigenous peoples’ leaders and human rights activists from Mindanao have been in Manila to condemn the military actions that forced them from their homes. As their testimony noted, many were driven out to make way for large-scale developments, including mining. Sharon Liguyon, wife of slain indigenous leader, Jimmy Liguyon, lamented: “Our lands are being taken away from us. Mining companies and the military brought fear and havoc in our communities … we want peace in our communities, and we demand justice.”

Also in Mindanao, a fact-finding mission travelled to Tampakan at the invitation of the indigenous B’laan, who recently erected barricades against the entry of the mining company controlled by Xstrata.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11678&l=1.

Chilean Supreme Court Red Lights Goldcorp Mine

Richard — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:54:28 +0000

Indigenous community leader celebrates ruling, promises continued opposition

The Chilean Supreme Court has ratified a lower court ruling that rendered Goldcorp’s environmental assessment for the El Morro mine null, due to irregularities including the company’s failure to properly consult with the Diaguita Huascoaltinos Indigenous and Agricultural Community, whose lands would be destroyed if the mine is built.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/11676.

Goldcorp is a Canadian company with British investment. Among Goldcorp’s major investors are British-based AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd., Blackrock Commodities Income Trust plc and City Natural High Yield Trust plc.

Bougainville Copper’s bloody “hidden past” exposed: Rio Tinto must address abuse claims, says criminologist

Richard — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:08:46 +0000

Debate continues raging over the role played by Rio Tinto’s subsidiary Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) in the decade-long war waged by Papua New Guinea “security” forces on the people of Bougainville from 1988 onwards.

One of the key proponents of the company’s innocence is major BCL stockholder, the highly-irascible Axel Sturm. In his latest broadside, Sturm accuses Ulster University criminologist, Kristian Lasslett, of using his “academic position as a platform for indoctrination and agitation.”

In fact Mr Lasslett’s critique of the company’s complicity in human rights abuses, during the first 15 months of the bloody conflict, is quite measured. And it’s based on compelling evidence which BCL shareholders – not to mention Rio Tinto itself – would do well to urgently address.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11665.

See also BCL keen to reopen mine, http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/32323.

Tribe Appeals To United Nations Over Rio Tinto Mine in Michigan

Richard — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:06:53 +0000

A tribe in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, is appealing to the United Nations in an effort to restrain sulphide mining.

The tribe hopes to strengthen its position through an international agreement signed by the Obama Administration. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community says mines that produce sulphuric acid can pollute the water and threaten places sacred to tribes in the Great Lakes.

The Keweenaw tribe fought Rio Tinto subsidiary Kennecott’s Eagle Mine, a new copper and nickel mine under construction in Marquette County.

See http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/tribes-appeal-united-nations-over-mines/2012-05-02.

Action: Tell the United States Congress and President Barack Obama: Pass a moratorium to stop sulfide mining in the Great Lakes watershed!

Sign the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/the-united-states-congress-and-president-barack-obama-pass-a-moratorium-to-stop-sulfide-mining-in-the-great-lakes-watershed?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=autopublish#.

Aboriginal elder loses bid to overturn expansion of BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam

Richard — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:01:15 +0000

An Australian Aboriginal elder has lost his challenge to the federal government’s approval of expansion of the world’s biggest uranium mine. Kevin Buzzacott had argued that insufficient consideration had been paid to the operation’s long-term impacts and risks posed by storage of radioactive wastes.

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11658.

BHP Billiton’s move against Aboriginal elder ‘punitive and vindictive’

Richard — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:22:55 +0000

MEDIA RELEASE AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR FREE ALLIANCE

1st May 2012

DEMOCRACY AT A PRICE: DECISION BY BHP BILLITON AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SEEK COSTS FROM ARABUNNA ELDER PUNITIVE AND VINDICTIVE

The Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA) is deeply concerned by the decision of BHP Billiton and the Federal Government to seek costs from Arabunna elder uncle Kevin Buzzacott arising from his challenge of the Federal approval of the Olympic Dam expansion.

“ANFA members fully support Uncle Kevin and admire his stand for country. We know that history will be the fairest judge of this struggle. BHP and the minister who approved the expansion of Olympic Dam will be forever linked to the toxic legacy of this mine, for thousands of years to come,” said Larrakia woman Donna Jackson, co-chair of ANFA.

“The court decided that Kevin Buzzacott had standing to pursue this challenge, as is his right under both the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act and the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act,” said ANFA Committe member Nectaria Calan. “Where does this leave the right to judicial review of such projects if those who seek such a review are then punished with costs?”

Dean Della Vale, president of BHP’s Uranium Customer Sector Group which is responsible for the Olympic Dam project, is a founding member of the Australian Uranium Associations Indigenous Dialogue Group, established to facilitate dialogue with traditional owners.

“BHP pursuing costs undermines any claims by the Indigenous Dialogue Group that they are seeking to engage with aboriginal communities in good faith. Aboriginal communities do not have the right to say no to mining on their land, and here we have an elder using one of the few legal options available to them to ensure that at least the impacts of the project were properly considered, and they may be facing a massive bill for doing so,” said Ms Calan.

“The message BHP are sending is that there are repercussions for taking on the mining giant. Last financial year the company recorded a total net profit of US$23. 95 billion – they certainly don’t need the money,” Ms Calan concluded.

For comment contact:

Donna Jackson + 61 427 847 186

Legal commentary: Nectaria Calan + 61 432 388 665

For background, see http://londonminingnetwork.org/2012/04/bhp-billiton-wants-money-from-aboriginal-elder/.

Vedanta’s PR Campaign Backfires in India

Richard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:01:10 +0000

On a recent visit to Bhubaneswar, the capital of the large eastern state of Odisha, I found the airport plastered with advertisements and slogans expressing the nurturing, socially conscious side — caring for the poor, growth with inclusive values, creating happiness — of the many steel and aluminum companies that have major operations in one of India’s poorest but most mineral-rich and business-friendly states.

The most prominent voice in this cluster belonged to Vedanta, a London Stock Exchange-listed “globally diversified natural resources group with wide-ranging interests in aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, silver, iron ore, oil and gas and power,” headed by Anil Agarwal, one of India’s richest and most controversial businessmen.

Read about what the advertisements did not say…

See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-24/mining-company-s-pr-campaign-backfires-in-india.html.

Indian minister halts fresh Vedanta bid to mine Niyamgiri

Richard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:58:03 +0000

India’s environment minister has ordered that the proposal by UK-listed Vedanta to expand its Orissa alumina refinery six fold, be held in abeyance.

The decision seems effectively to put the highly-controversial Nyamgiri mine project on indefinite hold.

However, while clearly describing the ruses employed by Vedanta to get both projects officially approved, a regional peoples’ organisation issues a stark warning: “..Vedanta might try all other tricks to accomplish its dirty agenda…[It] might find a back door [by coming] up with a joint venture project with L&T to mine Kutru Mali and Silji Mali near Kashipur to feed its Lanjigarh plant…”

See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11646.

The greatest threat to Bougainville Copper’s future is its hidden past

Richard — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:33:38 +0000

Bougainville Copper Limited, or BCL, is a subsidiary of Rio Tinto.

Last month the President of the European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC) Axel Sturm publicly raised concerns over the volatility of BCL’s share prices. In an interview with PNG Industry News, he blamed political uncertainty in Papua New Guinea for BCL’s current woes.

However, perhaps the ESBC’s President needs reminding, the greatest threat to BCL’s future remains its unacknowledged past. Despite revelations aired on SBS last year, which evidenced BCL’s complicity in the brutal security force operations on Bougainville, BCL and the ESBC continue to play down the company’s instrumental role in the conflict.

See http://ramumine.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/the-greatest-threat-to-bougainville-coppers-future-is-its-hidden-past/.