Direct action against Xstrata in Argentina

Peoples’ struggles against Minera Alumbrera have become very active this past month in northern Argentina. The protests are aimed at shutting down the mine, and against the lifting of a judicial order prohibiting any activity in the Agua Rica project area....

BHP scraps plans for Congo smelter

BHP Billiton has shelved plans to build an aluminium smelter that would have underpinned a hydropower plant known as Inga III in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Following a review of the project’s economics, BHP Billiton has decided not to continue with its smelter...

U.S. judge orders Vedanta to pay $82.75m in damages

U.S. judge orders Vedanta to pay $82.75m in damages Vedanta Resources has been dealt a “comeuppance” – yet again. This time, however, it has little to do with the UK company’s unparalleled disrespect for communities, workers or the environment....

London Calling dials into an Indian scandal

It’s a whopper of a scandal – even by Indian standards. Between US $8 billion and US$20 billion is believed to have been “pinched from the public purse” over the past four or so years by fraudulent telecoms companies. As a result, earlier this...

Mesoamerican communities declare opposition to mining model

A group of organizations and communities from across Mesoamerica, opposed to mining, recently gathered in Honduras to develop joint strategies and principles. They issued a declaration reflecting growing resistance to large scale mining in various parts of Latin...

Toxic Waters Threaten Johannesburg

The discovery of gold was the reason for the birth and the rise of Johannesburg, long called the “City of Gold.” But a century later, those same mines, where toxic water has built up in abandoned shafts and may leak into South Africa’s water supply,...

Bank of China moves closer to LME membership

The addition of Bank of China International to the world’s biggest metals market is expected to increase trading volumes, which in turn will boost its attraction as a takeover target. See...

Anglo American dashes hopes for ‘special dividend'

The company dashed hopes it will use cash “trapped” in South Africa by exchange controls to fund a special dividend, opting rather to sweeten its regular payout after posting a 14% rise in FY profit. See...