Latest News
BHP bypasses unions after 11 deals in 9 months are rejected
The Australian reports BHP Mitsubishi’s decision to bypass unions by seeking a direct employee ballot on a new three-year enterprise agreement takes the world’s number one miner into deeply uncharted industrial relations waters. See...
The blacklisting of Rio Tinto
Too many invest in companies - such as London-listed Rio Tinto - without any consideration of the ethics of doing so. Investing in conflict-affected and high-risk areas is a growing concern for responsible businesses and investors. Often times companies based in...
Wikileaks expose US & PNG position on Bougainville case against Rio Tinto
A decade ago, landowners profoundly impacted by Rio Tinto's Panguna copper-gold mine in Bougainville tried to bring the company to court in the USA, using the Alien Tort Act. They wanted Rio Tinto to account - and pay massive compensation - for human rights crimes,...
Apex court reserves order on Vedanta subsidiary's plant
The Indian Supreme Court has reserved its order on a plea of Vedanta subsidiary Sterlite Industries Ltd. (SIL), which has sought permission to continue operating its Tamil Nadu-based copper smelting plant which was ordered shut over green concerns. An apex court bench...
Royalty and rights issues in Latin America
BHP Billiton has settled a royalty dispute with the Colombian government - thus enabling the world's second biggest mining company to continuing operating its Cerro Matoso nickel mine. (At the same time, fifty five workers have filed a lawsuit demanding compensation...
Cerrejon Coal: Responsible Mining?
London Mining Network member group Colombia Solidarity Campaign has sent a delegation to Colombia to visit a number of mining-affected communities. Among the communities visited have been those suffering as a result of the expansion of the Cerrejon coal mine, owned by...
Australia's carbon tax debate ignites
New report demolishes mining industry claims Australia's coal mining giants are trying to scare the life out of its citizens over the impacts on jobs and investments from the recently-proposed nationwide carbon tax. The proposal is due to be debated by parliament this...
Tar sands update
UK Tar Sands Network tells us: The last month has seen a burst of action against the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, with 1,252 people arrested during two weeks of sit-ins in front of the White House. Even Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama have...
Borehole breakthrough for Botswana’s Bushmen
Survival International has been speaking to Bushmen from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve as they celebrate drinking water from the Mothomelo borehole for the first time in nine years. It marks a significant step towards their full return to their ancestral lands...
Essar accused of funding opposing armed groups in India
Commentary by Nostromo Research The release of a wikileak (below) last week raises questions about the operations (and governance) of one of the largest companies recently registered on the London Stock Exchange – one which shot straight into the FTSE 100 on its...