Dear friends,
We at LMN hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well during the current corona virus crisis. We know, however, that some of you are not: those of you who have lost work and income, or who are prevented from leaving your homes to obtain the food necessary to remain alive, or who are being threatened with death for your work of holding mining companies to account for their activities. In Colombia, paramilitaries are using restrictions on movement to renew attacks on those they deem enemies of international capital, and our friends are fearful that they are in extreme danger as they cannot freely move around to ensure that their would-be assassins do not know where they are.
Our friends in Colombian indigenous women’s organisation Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu are among those under renewed threat, having already denounced the situation of human rights defenders in Colombia at a UN hearing. Many who, like Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu, are affected by the Cerrejon coal mine (owned by London-listed Anglo American, BHP and Glencore), are in dire need of food at present. Mining has already destroyed livelihoods and wrecked food security: now people cannot make the necessary journeys to find the food they desperately need. LMN is working with others to try to find ways of offering practical solidarity.
There has been a huge amount in the mining press recently about the impacts of COVID 19 on the mining industry. In some places, mines are being closed; in others, miners are being isolated on mine sites so that mines can keep operating. LMN is working with other organisations around the world to monitor what is happening and assess the extent to which mining multinationals are trying to use the current situation to their advantage. We plan to do a mailout dedicated to this subject in the near future. Meanwhile, it is worth checking the website of our friends in global union IndustriALL, which is gathering together material from unions around the world on COVID 19 and has published demands from mine workers in Africa. We are also sharing artciles about this and other mining-related issues almost daily by Twitter. Whether or not you have a Twitter account, you can follow what we are sharing there.
In London, our office is shut and we are all working from our homes, meeting frequently online. As you’ll have seen from our most recent mailing, our planned April speaker tour with visitors from Bougainville, Australia, Madagascar and the USA is cancelled, as they cannot travel and we cannot safely or legally organise gatherings. It is still unclear how Rio Tinto will organise its planned 8 April AGM (shareholders’ meeting). We will do our best to ensure that the voices of communities devastated by its activities are heard. We will send a further mailing about this, and about how you can get involved remotely, in the coming days.
If you have not already done so, do read our recently published report, Cut and Run, about the appalling legacy of waste and destruction left by Rio Tinto in Bougainville and West Papua, and by BHP in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Rio Tinto seems to think that the ecological destruction caused by its QMM mineral sands mine in Madagascar can be ‘offset’ by protecting forests elsewhere on the island – but that has a further destructive impact on people relying on those forests for food.
Another false solution offered by some in the mining industry to the problem of mining waste is deep sea mining. A recent report from Fauna and Flora details the risks we face if deep sea mining is allowed to go ahead.
Meanwhile, let us not forget the damage recently done to Amazonia, one of the major lungs of the planet, by the burning of rain forest there and by President Bolsonaro’s relaxation of restrictions on destructive economic activity in the region. London-listed Anglo American is taking full advantage of this by putting in multiple applications to explore in indigenous territory. Anglo American’s AGM is planned for 5 May. Whatever form this meeting takes, we intend to ensure that the voices of our friends in Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru who are objecting to this company’s operations are not silenced.
One thing which the current crisis makes abundantly clear is that we are one human race inhabiting one planet sustained by fragile interdependent ecosystems, which we must protect if we are to survive. Melissa Fourie of the South African Centre for Environmental Rights has some excellent suggestions about the changes that are necessary to obtain human flourishing in the midst of flourishing ecosystems and how the mining industry has to change radically if we are to reach this goal.
And there is plenty more mining news below.
We at LMN send you all our very best wishes for your flourishing and that of your loved ones.
Richard Solly,
Co-ordinator, London Mining Network.
In this mailing
1) New on the LMN blog
2) LMN in the news
3) Changing the mining industry
4) Anglo American targeting Amazonia
5) Rio Tinto in the news
6) BHP in the news
7) Colombia: Woman indigenous leader Angelica Ortiz denounces abuse by businesses as country faces scrutiny at UN
8) Argentinian communities beat mining multinationals
9) Thousands Took Actions Against AGM of Miner GCM, Forcing Its Directors to Step Back
10) Vedanta CEO resigns; zinc unit head named interim chief
11) Brazil court releases $10m in frozen funds to Vale for studies on Brumadinho
12) Cajamarca, Colombia – curing gold fever
13) Eritrea Focus welcomes Canadian Nevsun ruling
14) Sirius shareholders approve Anglo takeover
15) Glencore finds facts that “may be relevant” to corruption probes
16) Coal, carbon emissions and climate change
17) Deep Sea Mining
18) Toxic Town:The Corby Poisonings
1) New on the LMN blog
New death threats against Wayuu Women’s Force
New death threats have been issued against LMN’s friends in indigenous Colombian organisation Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu (Wayuu Women’s Force). Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu has been heavily involved in the struggle for justice in the face of the environmental damage and social dislocation cased by the Cerrejon coal mine, owned by London-listed companies Anglo American, BHP and Glencore.
The climate revolution is a feminist one!
Chilean activist and LMN volunteer Javiera Martinez took part in an action with XR in central London to mark International Women’s Day. They blocked Waterloo Bridge for the action that made the links between climate justice and justice for women around the world.
Bishop of Brumadinho: ‘mining companies have split communities’
In early March, Dom Vicente Ferreira, Catholic Bishop of Brumadinho in Brazil, was in Europe speaking about the continuing impacts of the catastrophic tailings dam collapse there in January 2019, which killed 272 people. The iron ore mine at Brumadinho is owned and operated by a Brazilian mining company, Vale, in which British investors Aviva, HSBC, Legal and General, and others, have investments. Dom Vicente was accompanied by our good friend Rodrigo Peret of Franciscans International and the Churches and Mining Network. A video of their presentation to a meeting in Rome of church groups working on mining issues (the Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Network on Mining) is available. LMN was invited to a series of JPIC mining seminars in Rome last September. Participants in these seminars produced a statement on mining.
2) LMN in the news
Companies leave communities to grapple with mining’s persistent legacy
The destructive legacy of mining often lingers for communities and ecosystems long after the operating companies leave. Several large, multinational mining corporations have scrubbed their images — touting their commitments to sustainability, community development and action on climate change — but continue to deny accountability for the persistent impacts of mining that took place on their watch. A new report from the London Mining Network, an alliance of environmental and human rights organizations, contends that these companies should be held responsible for restoring ecosystems and the services that once supported communities.
Global monopolization
Press TV documentary on the mining industry, including short interviews with LMN Co-chair Andy Whitmore and Co-ordinator Richard Solly.
3) Changing the mining industry
Mining sector needs visionaries, revolutionaries
South Africa’s mining industry finds itself in a perfect storm: disruption caused by state capture, a failing Eskom and an economy in recession, a global energy transition juggernaut, a climate emergency – and more recently, coronavirus. Moreover, communities affected by the worst impacts of mining are increasingly organised, and not only calling for a complete overhaul of mining laws, but are winning the battle in court for the right to say no to mining. Creating a vision for the future of mining that progresses human well-being and sustainability has to start with some honesty. Not delusional platitudes about a “sunrise industry”, but a frank acknowledgement of the industry’s contribution to the social and environmental crisis we find ourselves in today.
70% of miners say new business models needed
The mining industry is moving to embrace stakeholder capitalism, according to KPMG International’s latest global mining risk report.
4) Anglo American targeting Amazonia
Anglo American wants to explore indigenous lands in the Amazon
One of the largest mining companies in the world, Anglo American, together with two Brazilian subsidiaries, has almost 300 research applications registered with the National Mining Agency that focus on indigenous lands in the Amazon. The requirements reached 18 indigenous lands, some with the presence of isolated peoples. Anglo American’s most recent target is TI Sawré Muybu, in the Middle Tapajós, where the Munduruku people live. Five orders are from 2017 and 2019. With the process stopped at Funai since 2016, the Munduruku started to self-demarcate the territory and defend IT by invaders. President Jair Bolsonaro has just sent a bill to Congress to authorize exploitation on indigenous lands. The Munduruku reject any project in their territory and accuse Bolsonaro of genocide.
Barrage of mining requests targets Brazil’s isolated indigenous peoples
Tanagra, another of the mining companies targeting indigenous lands, is a prospecting subsidiary for parent company and global mining giant Anglo American. Along with Itamaracá, also owned by Anglo American, Tanagra issued dozens of requests to attempt to explore the National Reserve of Copper and Associates (Renca), located between the states of Pará and Amapá. In 2017, then-President Michel Temer was forced to revoke a decree opening up the reserve to mining exploration following a widespread public outcry against the measure both in Brazil and abroad.
Exposed: The UK’s Secret Meetings With The Bolsonaros
On March 20 2020, Mongabay reported that British mining giant Anglo American has made over 300 requests for permission to explore 18 indigenous territories in the Amazon, some of which are home to uncontacted peoples. This is the latest in a transnational scramble to exploit the region since Jair Bolsonaro came to power, and the President has just sent a bill to Congress which will authorise the expoitation of indigenous lands, something threatened long before his election. For this, Bolsonaro is being accused of genocide.
5) Rio Tinto in the news
Rio Tinto to pay ex-CEO’s deferred bonus with interest
Rio Tinto’s board and Walsh agreed to defer incentive payments from Walsh’s time as chief executive in 2017 while regulators in the United Kingdom investigated payments to a consultant in relation to a Rio iron ore project in Guinea when Walsh was the head of Rio’s iron ore group.
Rio emissions targets have investors, green groups up in arms
Rio Tinto’s new carbon emissions reduction targets have triggered heated criticism from some investors and environmental groups, with a group led by a Friends of the Earth’s subsidiary tabling a shareholder motion to improve what it calls “weak” climate goals.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Investor-State Arbitration and Mongolia’s Rapidly Shrinking Policy Space
On the 20th of February, Rio Tinto initiated arbitration proceedings against the Government of Mongolia at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) through Oyu Tolgoi LLC. The escalation of the dispute over the alleged “missing millions” of tax from Rio Tinto (USD 155 million) suggests that the multinational corporation’s patience is wearing thin.
Raze here, save there: Do biodiversity offsets work for people or ecosystems?
The Bemangidy-Ivohibe biodiversity offset was created in southeastern Madagascar by QMM, a subsidiary of mining giant Rio Tinto, to make up for the destruction of highly threatened littoral forests as a result of mining activity.
6) BHP in the news
Australia’s top court rejects BHP appeal over tax ruling
Australia’s highest court has dismissed an appeal by BHP Group against a tax ruling, the latest loss for the global miner over the treatment of profits from commodities sold out of its Singapore marketing hub.
Despite a turbulent year – BHP keeps its brand crown
BHP has had a turbulent year, from negotiating a $5 billion lawsuit related to the Samarco dam disaster in 2015, to battling the repercussions of the Australian bushfire that severely damaged its coal output, with production falling 13% in the final months of 2019. These setbacks, coupled with the brand’s exposure to fluctuating global trade and softening demand in the Chinese market, resulted in a fall in the company’s brand value in 2019.
7) Colombia: Woman indigenous leader Angelica Ortiz denounces abuse by businesses as country faces scrutiny at UN
Angelica Ortiz is a Wayuu indigenous woman leader from the Ipuana clan of the Lomomato indigenous reserve in La Guajira, Colombia, a human rights defender and part of the Wayuu Women’s Force Movement. She visited the UK as a guest of LMN in October 2017. Angelica and her movement denounce what they see as negative impacts of exploitation and export of coal in her region by Cerrejon Coal, owned by London-listed Anglo American, BHP and Glencore.
8) Argentinian communities beat mining multinationals
Popular movements in Argentina are better than average at stopping the mining madness. The contrast with Bolsonaro’s Brazil is striking.
9) Thousands Took Actions Against AGM of Miner GCM, Forcing Its Directors to Step Back
Our friends at Phulbari Solidarity Group report that three thousand climate justice campaigners from across the world took online action against the AGM of GCM Resources, as GCM planned its meeting neglecting social distancing during the London lockdown.
10) Vedanta CEO resigns; zinc unit head named interim chief
It makes little difference as Anil Agarwal is still in control of Vedanta regardless – but interesting that “Shares of Vedanta have plunged more than 70% since Venkatakrishnan took over as CEO”.
11) Brazil court releases $10m in frozen funds to Vale for studies on Brumadinho
The court of the state of Minas Gerais is releasing $48 million reais ($10.4 million) to iron ore miner Vale to fund the technical consultancy that will determine the losses caused by the collapse of a tailings dam in Brumadinho in January 2019.
12) Cajamarca – curing gold fever
The people of Cajamarca, Colombia, stopped a gold mine in their water and food rich territory. But the real story is what happened next…
13) Eritrea Focus welcomes Canadian Nevsun ruling
LMN member group Eritrea Focus welcomes the ruling by the landmark ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court, allowing a case against a Canadian company (Nevsun) which is accused of using slave labour on its Bisha mine in Eritrea. This is a case Eritrea Focus has spent years working on, backing the legal team that brought this to the Supreme Court. Nevsun has enjoyed significant investment from the UK.
14) Sirius shareholders approve Anglo takeover
Shareholders in Sirius Minerals, the British junior struggling to develop a huge fertilizer mine beneath the North Yorkshire Moors national park, have approved a planned takeover by Anglo American, despite several attempts to avoid it.
15) Glencore finds facts that “may be relevant” to corruption probes
Miner and commodities trader Glencore has found certain facts that “may be relevant” to the probes it’s facing and has shared them with regulators, the company’s auditor said.
16) Coal, carbon emissions and climate change
Zero emissions targets challenge miners, oil majors
Oil majors and big miners have been falling over themselves to promise better behaviour when it comes to greenhouse gases. A significant number now say they are targeting zero emissions. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees on exactly what that means. It leaves investors clear on good intentions, but far less so on how to price transition risk, compare strategies and judge success.
Coal mines emit more methane than oil-and-gas sector, study finds
Methane emissions from coal mines could be more than double previous estimates, according to a new study.
Global Witness accuses UK of ‘rank hypocrisy’ on fossil fuel projects
Campaign group says UK’s export credit agency broke OECD’s rules with £2bn of fossil fuel financing
Banking on Climate Change – Fossil Fuel Finance Report Card 2020
New Report Reveals Global Banks Funneled $2.7 Trillion into Fossil Fuels Since Paris Climate Agreement, with Financing on the Rise Each Year
Wind and solar plants will soon be cheaper than coal in all big markets around world, analysis finds
Report raises fresh doubt about viability of Australia’s thermal coal export industry (in which UK mining companies are involved).
Carbon emissions fall as electricity producers move away from coal
Global emissions down by 2% amid mild winter and reduced use of coal-fired power plants
17) Deep Sea Mining
Group wants deep-sea mine permit, licence cancelled
A GROUP of people concerned about the implications of deep-sea mining wants the Government to cancel the environment permit and mining licence granted to Nautilus Minerals Niugini Ltd. The group is led by Jonathan Mesulam of the Alliance of Solwara Warriors, Peter Bosip, the director for the Centre of Environmental Law and Community Rights, Marie Mondu, the development secretary of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of PNG and the Solomon Islands, and Cardinal Sir John Ribat, the Archbishop of Port Moresby, in association with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Coffee Industry support project, Caritas and the Social Communication of CBC PNGSI.
An assessment of the risks and impacts of seabed mining on marine ecosystems
New report from Flora and Fauna International
18) Toxic Town:The Corby Poisonings
This film documentary is about a group of women who, when pregnant, were exposed to toxic air during and after the dismantling of the steel industry in Corby, England, and who sued the local council because their children were born with very specific birth defects. Although not strictly about mining it is relevant – some of the same toxins plus ponds where poisonous waste is stored. The women are really heroic – it was a ten year battle and they had the support of some brilliant lawyers and scientists. The outcome of the case hinged on an apparently tiny mistake in a mathematical formula. The film is is on the BBC iplayer website for a limited period and can be downloaded.