The assassination of environmental and human rights’ activist, Shehla Masood, brought into sharp focus plans by Rio Tinto to open India’s first new commercial diamond mine in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Recently, Australian Broadcasting Company sent a reporter to the prospective site, to investigate the “mood” of local people about the project and to hear the company defend its current and future operations. But, at the last moment, Rio Tinto refused to be officially interviewed on camera.
ABC also obtained a copy of a writ petition to India’s High Court, accusing the UK mega-miner of having already violated environmental regulations in its lease area. While some villagers in the area approved the company’s proposals, others were firmly opposed, and pledged to halt the project.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11346