LMN joined around 50 other organisations in signing a letter in support of Dutch NGO PAX, which has been denounced by mining company Drummond for its criticisms of the company’s operations in Colombia.
Nick Davies uncovers the story of “the man in the green blanket”, who died trying to broker peace, and reveals the complicity of the powers that be.
“We’re here today to let Rio Tinto know this is our community, this is our company, this is our ore, and we need to be treated with respect!” … “I’ve dealt with a lot of companies, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen such arrogance and contempt for a union and members of a union as I’ve seen with this corporation here, and they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”
Health problems at Zululand Anthracite Colliery, owned by Rio Tinto.
Operated by Bougainville Copper Limited, a subsidiary of Conzinc Rio Tinto of Australia, the Panguna mine generated about two billion dollars in revenues from 1972-1989. But the majority owners, Rio Tinto (53.58 percent) and the Papua New Guinea government (19.06 percent), received the bulk of the profits, while indigenous landowners were denied any substantive rights under the mining agreement.
