Dear friends,
I am afraid that the news in this mailout is dominated by killings. The war in Ukraine is not the only military conflict which is brutally ending the lives of thousands of people – there are, regrettably, a number of such conflicts – but this particular war seems to be having a much larger effect on London-linked mining companies, mine finance and minerals markets. The mining press has been full of articles on the subject. Links to a few of them are below. The war has also thrown into relief the dangers of nuclear power generation. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is hosting an event on this issue on 4 April. Please also sign the international petition against nuclear war.
Far away from this particular horrendous war, more community leaders campaigning against the mining industry have been assassinated because of their work. In Colombia, Teófilo Acuña and Jorge Tafur were shot dead on 22 February. Teófilo and Jorge had for decades defended peasant and small-scale miner communities from large companies that were usurping land and natural resources in Southern Bolivar and the South of Cesar. Teófilo was a President of the Federation of Agro-Mining Unions in South Bolivar (Federación Agrominera del Sur de Bolivar – FEDEAGROMISBOL), where he represented peasant communities whose livelihoods depended on agriculture and small-scale gold mining. He led opposition to multinational mining companies in the territory and came to London to protest outside the Anglo American AGM in 2008 as a guest of Colombia Solidarity Campaign and LMN.
On Monday, 7 March, the terrible news of the death of Óscar Mollohuanca was released. Óscar Mollohuanca was a tireless defender of human rights and faithful defender of his community’s territory. He also served as mayor of Espinar, where London-listed Glencore mines copper. During the struggle against mining pollution in Espinar, Óscar was criminalised for defending the life of nature and its people. People there are suffering poor health linked to toxic metal pollution.
New killings and assaults at Barrick Gold’s Tanzania mine have shattered the company’s radical improvement claims. Our friends at RAID report on court action against Barrick subsidiaries in a UK court for previous rights abuses at its North Mara mine.
International Women’s Day on 8 March was marked by our friends in Survival International by the publication of a report on the brutal persecution of Adivasi women in India defending their lands against the mining industry and other threats. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy published a report on bullying and discrimination against women working in the mining industry. BHP, the world’s biggest mining company, has recently admitted that it needs to do more to counter a toxic working culture.
A few weeks ago, Rio Tinto also admitted that huge numbers of its employees suffer sexist and racist bullying. Its AGM is coming up next week, and we will be raising multiple issues including a recent waste spill at its QMM mineral sands operations in Madagascar, the effects of its copper-gold mine at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia and the struggle against its Resolution Copper Project in the USA. Do attend our online event on 6 April, Grief and Grievance, with speakers on these issues and on the need to develop adequate, functioning grievance procedures at all the company’s operations.
Our indigenous Sami friends in northern Sweden have just suffered a setback as the Swedish government, in complete contempt for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, has given the go-ahead to a British-owned iron ore mining project in Sami territory, despite years of campaigning against it by Sami organisations.
But despite all this, the struggle for justice continues. Tens of thousands of Brazilians are taking legal action against BHP in London over the 2015 Samarco tailings dam collapse. Indigenous Brazilians and their allies (including LMN) are taking to the streets to protest against the Brazilian Government’s attack on Indigenous rights and the Amazon rainforest as it attempts to open up protected areas to mining. The Catholic bishops of Brazil have spoken out in support of the Indigenous struggle. LMN’s friends from the Churches and Mining Network have been in Europe calling for complete disinvestment from the mining industry. Even sections of the mining industry (albeit doubtless for self-interested reasons) are opposing the government’s plans – though some UK-linked companies are actively involved in getting their hands on mining concessions in Amazonia. Please support the protest outside the Brazilian Embassy in London on 4 April.
Speaking of disinvestment, our friends in People and Planet have added to their campaign for universities to divest from fossil fuels by calling for an end to involvement of fossil fuel and mining companies in university careers fairs. Please do sign their petition.
The coming month will be a busy one for us with the AGMs of Rio Tinto, Anglo American and Glencore. There will be ways for you to get involved in online campaigning and events. Look out for our events mailings in the days to come. And there is lots more news below!
All the best,
Richard Solly, Co-ordinator, London Mining Network.
In this mailout
Events
Wednesday, 6 April, 6.30 – 8pm BST – Grief and Grievance: The Misery of Life with Rio Tinto as a Neighbour
Monday 4 April, 7-8pm – Nuclear power: not fit for purpose? CND webinar
Monday 4 April 5-6.30pm Brazilian Embassy SW1Y 5BL – Stand with Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples – Emergency Protest
Recent event recording: LMN book club – Resisting Mining Book Club: Rare Earth Frontiers
Take action!
Stop approval of 40 MILLION tonnes of new UK coal mining. It ends here.
To UK Universities – Demand Fossil Free Careers: End extractive industry recruitment
Join the global call: “We reject war and nuclear weapons”
News
1) Nuclear news
2) LMN and the Churches and Mining Network delegation to Europe
3) The mining struggle in Brazil
4) Safety First: Guidelines for Responsible Mine Tailings Management
5) Rio Tinto in the news
6) Mining news from Colombia
7) Health effects and killing of mining critic at Espinar, Peru, where Glencore mines copper
8) Other news involving Glencore
9) BHP in the news
10) New killings and assaults at Barrick Gold’s Tanzania mine shatter company’s radical improvement claims
11) Swedish Government ignores Indigenous rights, gives go-ahead for British mine in Sami territory
12) Mining and women: attacks and discrimination
13) Effects of war in Ukraine on London-linked mining companies
14) The struggle of a community in Sonora against the Grupo Fresnillo mining company in Mexico
15) Barclays underwhelms with Say on Climate plan
16) Disappointment in the Global Campaign at the presentation of the report at the UN on the latest developments on the Binding Treaty on Transnationals and Human Rights
17) Bid by Kazakh mining company to sue journalist is dismissed by judge
18) The UK needs a new Business, Human Rights and Environment Act
Events
Wednesday, 6 April, 6.30 – 8pm BST – Grief and Grievance: The Misery of Life with Rio Tinto as a Neighbour
Ahead of Rio Tinto’s 2022 AGM, we discuss the community and labour issues caused by the company.
Monday 4 April, 7-8pm: Nuclear power: not fit for purpose? – CND webinar
Nuclear power is increasingly marketed as part of the solution to the climate crisis and there is considerable support for it from trade unions. In fact it’s dirty, dangerous, expensive, won’t help with our climate problems, and there are far more jobs in renewables.
Monday 4 April 5-6.30pm Brazilian Embassy SW1Y 5BL: Stand with Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples – Emergency Protest
The Brazilian Government is bringing forward new laws that threaten the existence of Indigenous Peoples and the planet.
https://www.facebook.com/events/869639567084791/
Recent event: LMN book club
Watch the video of the excellent recent meeting of our Resisting Mining Book Club on Rare Earth Frontiers.
Take Action!
Stop approval of 40 MILLION tonnes of new UK coal mining. It ends here.
Coal Action Network is launching a challenge to governmental decisions permitting a massive coal mine expansion. The Coal Authority says it cannot consider the climate impacts of this mine, while the Welsh Government believes it can’t block it. Our lawyers say both are wrong.
To UK Universities – Demand Fossil Free Careers: End extractive industry recruitment
We call upon all UK university careers departments to:
Refuse all new relationships with oil, gas or mining companies
Decline to renew any current relationships with oil, gas or mining companies after the contractually obligated period ends
Adopt a publicly available Ethical Careers Policy that explicitly excludes oil, gas and mining companies from recruitment opportunities
Join the global call: “We reject war and nuclear weapons”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, IPPNW, and other Nobel Peace Prize Laureates are asking Avaaz and all our fellow citizens to join this historic call to reject war and nuclear weapons — when it’s huge, it will be delivered to the Russian Federation and NATO.
Support Colombian communities demanding respect from Glencore
Glencore has failed to consult communities affected by its Prodeco mine and surrounding operations in developing a mine closure plan. Please read the communities’ protest letter and sign the petition (text in Spanish, but signing instructions in English).
News
1) Nuclear news
The Russian takeover of the defunct Chernobyl site challenges the ‘peaceful, safe and sustainable’ branding of nuclear energy
At least seven forest fires continue to burn around the Russian-held Chernobyl nuclear site in Ukraine, raising fears radionuclides could spread from the defunct facility.
Johnson announces aim for UK to get 25% of electricity from nuclear power
PM meets industry bosses to discuss new power stations, with several reactors slated for closure as energy demand rises.
2) LMN and the Churches and Mining Network delegation to Europe
Bishop in Brussels to lobby against Investment in Mining
A delegation from Latin America, including a Catholic bishop, has travelled to Europe to raise awareness and urge support for communities suffering from destructive mining. It called for disinvestment from mining.
London Mining Network meets with Latin American delegation fighting for ‘integral ecology’
The Latin American delegation (the ‘caravan’) arrived in Europe in order to strengthen relations of solidarity with communities affected by mining. The caravan is made up of members of the Brumadinho community in Brazil, affected by the Brumadinho tailings dam disaster, communities from other regions of Brazil, and communities from Colombia, Honduras and Ecuador.
3) The mining struggle in Brazil
Thousands protest against Brazil’s ‘death combo’ of anti-environment bills
Demonstration against what activists call a historic assault floods capital after musician Caetano Veloso’s call for action
Brazil: Bishops protest at government plan to rush through takeover of more indigenous land
The Catholic Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) have strongly criticized the federal government for trying to rush through two bills they say are “an attack aimed at appropriating indigenous territories..”
Mining firms slam Brazil indigenous bill in a sign of ESG times
There is a notable opponent to the Brazilian government’s plans to allow mining on indigenous lands — the mining industry itself.
Press Release: Massive Investments linked to Illegal Amazon Mining Interests
A new report by the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and Amazon Watch reveals the main investors of eight large mining companies, including Vale, Anglo American, and Belo Sun, that wish to explore Indigenous territories in Brazil. North American funds are among the main backers. BlackRock, Capital Group, and Vanguard invested USD 14.8 billion in these companies.
4) Safety First: Guidelines for Responsible Mine Tailings Management
In June 2020, we collaborated with Earthworks, Malach Consulting, MiningWatch Canada, and CSP2 to publish a set of recommendations on responsible mine tailings management. The result, which we named ‘Safety First’, was a response to the Global Industry Standards on Tailings Management (GISTM), which we felt did not go far enough to ensure people’s safety. The guidelines have recently been re-presented in a more accessible form. They are currently being updated.
5) Rio Tinto in the news
Dead fish found as mine dumps water
Dead fish found after cyclones and storms forced Rio Tinto’s QMM mine in Madagascar to dump water causes alarm.
Guinea reaches deal with miners to resume Simandou iron ore development
Guinea’s ruling junta has reached an agreement with Rio Tinto and a Chinese-backed consortium to resume activities at the huge Simandou iron ore deposit, the mines minister said, after resolving infrastructure disputes.
Re-opening the Panguna mine? Not yet…
At the beginning of February, the Panguna copper mine in central Bougainville in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) drew international attention once more when the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) announced that, together with the chiefs of the landowning clans in the Panguna area, it had decided to re-open the mine.
Rio Tinto goes after Turquoise Hill in $2.7 billion bid
Rio Tinto has offered $2.7 billion for the 49% of shares it doesn’t already own in Canada’s Turquoise Hill Resources in a move that seeks gaining direct controlling ownership of the vast Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia.
Turquoise Hill shareholder says $2.7 billion Rio Tinto bid too low
Activist investor Pentwater Capital Management, the largest minority shareholder of Canada’s Turquoise Hill with a 10% stake, has rejected a $2.7 billion bid for the copper producer by Rio Tinto as too low.
Russian fuel supply latest headache for Rio Tinto’s giant Mongolia copper expansion
Rio Tinto is working to avoid a fresh challenge at its giant Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia by keeping relationships with Russia steady, as the company seeks to ensure supplies of fuel and other goods to the site.
Rio Tinto to sever ties with Russian businesses over Ukraine war
Mining giant’s decision follows other big names exiting Russia and casts doubt over Queensland Alumina Ltd joint venture.
6) Mining news from Colombia
Colombian communities demand mine closure plan from Glencore
Communities around Glencore’s coal mining and transport operations in the Colombian departments of Cesar and Magdalena (to the south and west of its Cerrejon mine in the department of La Guajira) have written to the Colombian President and the Chief Executive of Glencore demanding effective consultation over a mine closure plan.
Cerrejón Coal’s community relocations are inadequate, say community leaders
Public comunique from leaders of the communities resettled by the Cerrejón company in the Municipality of Barrancas in the south of the Department of La Guajira, including the Patilla Community Action Board, Elected Community Action Board of Casitas, Association of People of African Descent in Chancleta (Asnac), and the Tamaquito II Indigenous Reservation.
Assassination of Teo and Jorge: A Deep Pain, A Great Loss
Both leaders were members of the Interlocution Commission of Southern Bolivar, Central and Southern Cesar, Southern Magdalena and Santander Processes (CISBCSC). Jorge Tafur, a long-time unionist and peasant leader, was recently elected to the National Board of the National Agrarian Coordinator (Coordinador Nacional Agrario – CNA). Teofilo Acuña was a President of the Federation of Agro-Mining Unions in South Bolivar (Federación Agrominera del Sur de Bolivar – FEDEAGROMISBOL), where he represented peasant communities whose livelihoods depended on agriculture and small-scale gold mining. He led opposition to multinational mining companies in the territory and came to London to protest Anglo American AGM in 2008. Both were actively involved in the People’s Congress (Congreso de los Pueblos).
7) Health effects and killing of mining critic at Espinar, Peru, where Glencore mines copper
Espinar: Óscar Mollohuanca, defender of territory and human rights, found dead
On Monday, March 7, the terrible news of the death of Óscar Mollohuanca was released. Óscar Mollohuanca was a tireless defender of human rights and faithful defender of the territory, he also served as mayor of Espinar.
Mollohuanca killing causes outrage
The Peru Support Group would like to express our sincere solidarity with the family, friends, and the entire community of Espinar, following the killing of one of their most renowned social leaders, human rights and environmental defenders, Oscar Mollohuanca. His body was found on the streets of Espinar on 7 March, approximately 300 metres from his home, naked from the waist up. The circumstances around his death remain unknown.
Communities from Espinar in Peru live with toxic metals in their blood.
Glencore has its copper mining operations there.
8) Other news involving Glencore
Big step forward in recognizing the trade union to represent outsourced workers too, at Volcan-Glencore mine Peru
On February 24, the Department of Labour in Junín (Peru) issued a statement that forces mining company Volcan to enter into dialogue with its workers, who have been on strike for 60 days. A big step forward in recognizing this trade union that represents direct and outsourced workers at this mine mainly owned by the Swiss multinational Glencore.
Glencore reviewing stakes in two Russian companies
Glencore Plc, the world’s biggest commodity trader, followed some of the world’s largest companies in reviewing its business ties with Russia as the fallout from the invasion of Ukraine intensifies across global commodities markets.
9) BHP in the news
‘It’s about survival’: the Yorkshireman seeking justice for the Mariana dam disaster
In 2015, the country’s worst environmental disaster forced Jonathan Knowles to leave his Brazilian home. Now he and 200,000 other victims hope to win a £5bn lawsuit in an English court.
Lithium mining, climate change impacting flamingo populations in Chile
A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that the combination of lithium mining and climate change in the Andes mountains may be negatively influencing flamingo populations.
Chile regulator fines BHP’s Escondida mine for damage in Salar de Atacama
Chile’s environmental regulator said it had fined Escondida mine, controlled by company BHP, $8.2 million for damage caused by water extraction in the Salar de Atacama salt flat.
BHP says it must do more to address toxic workplace culture
BHP Group Ltd. has been focused on tackling all forms of harassment at its workplaces for some time, but the company still has more to do, Chairman Ken MacKenzie said.
Why BHP is facing a minefield
AUSTRALIA’S biggest company and the world’s second biggest miner, BHP, may disappoint conservationists and Aboriginal native title holders who had hoped for commitments to reform of heritage issues and underground water use at its Olympic Dam mine. Its Olympic Dam project 560km north of Adelaide is South Australia’s largest mining venture and the world’s biggest uranium mine, a global top-four copper mine and producer of gold and lead. BHP is powerful in SA.
10) New killings and assaults at Barrick Gold’s Tanzania mine shatter company’s radical improvement claims
Barrick subsidiaries in UK court for previous rights abuses at its North Mara mine
11) Swedish Government ignores Indigenous rights, gives go-ahead for British mine in Sami territory
Stop the mine in Gállok
This petition – now closed – aimed to stop the Swedish Government from allowing London-listed Beowulf Mining to proceed with a mining project in indigenous Sami territory. Unfortunately, the Swedish government gave the go-ahead last week.
Sweden gives go-ahead for northern Kallak iron ore mine
Sweden’s government gave a qualified green light on Tuesday to Britain’s Beowulf Mining to proceed with plans for an iron ore mine in the far north that has been opposed by indigenous people over its environmental impact.
12) Mining and women: attacks and discrimination
New report exposes brutal persecution of Adivasi women defending their land
A devastating new report from Survival International – launched on International Women’s Day, March 8 – exposes how Adivasi (Indigenous) women in India are being brutally persecuted for defending their lands against a massive corporate and governmental mining rush.
Women in mining still facing bullying, discrimination – report
Women working across the resource industry continue to face challenges around bullying, discrimination and inequitable treatment, a new report by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) shows.
13) Effects of war in Ukraine on London-linked mining companies
Ukraine crisis rocks the London Metal Exchange
The war in Ukraine has engulfed the 145-year-old London Metal Exchange (LME), which sits at the epicentre of the global trade in industrial metals.
UK chairman of Polymetal among ‘mass exodus’ from Russian firms
Board members at Russian companies, including the British chairmen of gold and silver producer Polymetal and metals and hydropower group EN+, have quit in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
Evraz’s London shares suspended after Abramovich sanctions
Russian steel giant Evraz’s London-listed shares have been temporarily suspended by Britain’s financial regulator after top shareholder Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by Britain, a notice from the London Stock Exchange shows.
14) The struggle of a community in Sonora against the Grupo Fresnillo mining company in Mexico
Grupo Fresnillo, through its subsidiary Penmont, began its works in the area at the La Herradura mine. In 2009 it extended its operations with the Soledad-Dipolos mine. Over four years it extracted 236,000 ounces of gold, making gross profits of 420 million dollars. The ejidatarios didn’t receive a penny.
15) Barclays underwhelms with Say on Climate plan
Barclays has published a new climate plan, which it will put to a vote at its 2022 AGM.
16) Disappointment in the Global Campaign at the presentation of the report at the UN on the latest developments on the Binding Treaty on Transnationals and Human Rights
On March 16, 2022, at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Ambassador of Ecuador at the UN, as Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and Human Rights (OEIGWG), presented the report of the 7th session of the OEIGWG, which took place in October 2021. This historic process at the UN, known as the Binding Treaty, aims to create binding human rights standards for TNCs. The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity (the Global Campaign), which represents hundreds of millions of people affected by TNCs worldwide, made several interventions in the debate after the presentation of the report.
17) Bid by Kazakh mining company to sue journalist is dismissed by judge
Libel claim against Financial Times writer Tom Burgis had been brought to court in London by ENRC
18) The UK needs a new Business, Human Rights and Environment Act
At present, big companies can reap the benefits of exploitation in the countries from which these resources are sourced while hiding behind lengthy and complex global supply chains, dodging responsibility for the social and environmental costs of their subsidiaries and suppliers.