1. Bauxite mining to begin after road laying
2. Essar Steel to set up Rs 17,760-crore plant
3. Illegal mining will be dealth with: Rodrigues
4. Vedanta not to buckle under Maytas’ threat
5. Orissa Govt. to sign MoU with 8 power firms
6. Tribes, individuals struggle to protect sacred sites
7. IBI Signs Definitive Agreement for Uranium Project in Tanzania
8. Pains and Gains of Coals Mining in Bangladesh
9. S Africa’s gold miners face deepening gloom
11. Supervisors urge Congress to allow uranium mining
12. Hurt council takes action on uranium
13. Hunters warned planned mine could hurt
14. SC seeks report on child labour from NHRC
15. NREGA funds poorly utilised
16. Gehlot calls for effective implementation of NREGA
17. Haryana gets 98 SEZ proposals Ramesh Vinayak
18. Massive water criss by 2025
Mining – India
Bauxite mining to begin after road laying
Special Correspondent
Expansion work
Work on expansion of the existing road, from Jerrela to Tallapalem on the
Survey
The road touches Makavarapalem where the refinery would come up and by-pass roads would be laid at Chintapalli and Narsipatnam.
Survey work is on and permission from the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment has been obtained to expand the road in the forest area.
Mining
“Mining will start only after the road is completed and it will take about an year to complete the road work,” Mr. Sanjay Kumar told reporters.
The State government was competent to lay roads anywhere it wanted, he said.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/07/stories/2009020760820300.htm
Essar Steel to set up Rs 17,760-crore plant |
| Press Trust Of |
The Ruias-promoted Essar Steel has said it would set up a 6-MTPA steel unit in Karnataka at an investment of Rs 17,760 crore as it looks to prop up its annual capacity to 25 million tonnes by 2015.
"Our investment proposal (for the steel plant) has been cleared by the Karnataka government," an Essar Steel spokesperson said. The plant is to be set up at Bagalkot in the state.
Initially, the plant would have a 3 MTPA capacity, which would be doubled to 6 MTPA in the second phase, sources said.
The proposal is to set up a pellet plant, a coke oven plant and a battery in the first phase for which the company has asked the state government to lease an iron ore mine for uninterrupted supply of the raw material.
At present, Essar Steel's produce stands at 4.6 MTPA at Hazira in
The company is also working on putting up a 6 MTPA integrated steel plant at Paradeep in Orissa. The project would be developed in two phases.
In addition to its Indian operations, Essar Steel has a presence in
Minnesota Steel, which Essar acquired in 2007, plans to set up a 2.5 MTPA integrated steel plant with an estimated cost of $1.65 billion.
Already the fifth largest steel producer in the world,
However, based on the assessment of ongoing projects, the Ministry of Steel has projected that the country's steel capacity is likely to be 124.06 MTPA by 2011-12.
As per the status of MoUs of private producers with various state governments,
http://business-standard.com/india/news/essar-steel-to-setrs-17760-crore-plant/10/30/348267/
Illegal mining will be dealth with: Rodrigues
7 Feb 2009, 0330 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI:
| |
in the future and assured strict action against any erring forest officials, including getting them transferred. He made these statements amidst allegations by the Opposition of rampant illegal mining in the state in collusion with the forest department officialdom.
Replying to leader of Opposition, Manohar Parrikar's postponed starred question, the minister conceded that he was surprised that certain cases of illegalities appeared to have been hushed up. " I am surprised to see there are certain cases which are hushed up due to political pressure," he said.
Alleging corruption in both, the mines and forest department, he said forest officials release wheel-loaders and other machinery within hours after compounding the offences in cases of illegal mining, but no police complaints are filed.
He pointed out to a case in which a contractor had violated a stay order by the court to extract ore in the Quepem taluka, and said that the forest department did not refer the matter to the court, thereby inciting contempt of its directive.
Replying to various issues, the forest minister said that the damage done by offenders cannot be restored. "I am helpless to refer the matter to police in regard to cases in the past," Rodrigues said. But he assured that in future the department would try to register police complaints.
Regarding the Opposition leader's allegation that some officials, including one with an alleged political clout, who was retained in the same posting for 12 years in South Goa, the forest minister assured that he would move a proposal for the transfer of such officials.
Parrikar had accused the official of colluding with operators in illegal mining, including fraudulently manipulating boundaries of forest areas and allowing cutting of trees.
Chief minister Digambar Kamat also intervened in the matter to say that a monitoring committee headed by chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar had been constituted after the last Assembly session.
"It was to visit each and every mine, including all forest areas. Whatever action the panel deems fit will be taken," Kamat assured.
Vedanta not to buckle under Maytas’ threat
PNS | Bhubaneswar
Vedanta Alumina on Friday made it clear that the company would not buckle down under the threat of Satyam Computer beleaguered chief B Ramalinga Raju’s son Teja Raju’s Maytas Infra which has issued a legal notice to the company.
Maytas Infra alleged that Vedanta has fraudulently and illegally encashed two bank guarantees valued at Rs 64 crore in January. Maytas also accused Vedanta of not paying dues aggregating to Rs 29 crore.
The bank guarantees were produced by Maytas Infra towards the Vedanta Aluminum contract awarded for construction of a township at Jharsuguda in May, 2008. Maytas has already completed 10 per cent of the works. It had got a work order to the tune of Rs 260 crore for constructing the township.
“Maytas Infra has served a statutory legal notice to Vedanta Aluminium under the Companies Act for non-settlement of the admitted dues. It is also in the process
of filing a petition before the Mumbai High Court, as stipulated by law,” a statement issued by Maytas said.
Vedanta encashed the bank guarantees without even terminating the contract, according to Maytas. “The bank guarantee can only be invoked if the company provides a termination contract or establishes breach of terms and conditions,” the company added.
On the other hand, Vedanta Alumina chief spokesperson Sashanka Patnaik said Vedanta was consulting with lawyers on the issue. “Vedanta Alumina will take appropriate action at the right time,” Patnaik pointed out.
http://dailypioneer.com/154831/Vedanta-not-to-buckle-under-Maytas%E2%80%99-threat.html
Rlys to speed up projects for steel cos
7 Feb 2009, 0136 hrs IST, Nirbhay Kumar & Subhash Narayan, ET Bureau
| |
freight-carrying capacity.
The Railways expects the steel production capacity to grow despite the slowdown, and has asked the steel ministry to provide a list of steel projects with their proposed capacities and raw material linkages so that necessary action could be taken.
“A close coordination between the steel and railways ministries is necessary to prioritise commissioning of additional new rail lines and augmentation of existing routes,” a railways ministry official, who did not wish to be named, said.
As per an estimate, the freight loading on account of the steel sector is expected to rise to 297.2 million tonnes by 2011-12. Freight loading on account of the steel industry is expected to go up further to 533 million tonnes by 2019-20, the official said.
The steel ministry has already given a list of important railway routes requiring expansion as well as construction of new lines to meet the need of new steel manufacturing units. Some of the new rail links that have been proposed are Haridaspur-Paradeep and Paradeep-Dhamra in Orissa, Ranchi-Ramgarh in Jharkhand and Surat-Hazira port in
Some of the rail links that are proposed to be augmented are Banspani-Jakhpura, Talcher-Angul-Sambalpur, Jakhpara-Haridaspur and Chandil-Muri-Pataru.
South Korean major Posco and
In a recent meeting with various government arms, the Railways suggested setting up a coordination group with representatives from the steel ministry and Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to look into the possibilities of modernisation of rail infrastructure near various steel plants.
The Railways have also made a major policy change regarding joint participation of industry in various rail projects. As per the new policy, if a company shares more than 90% of the total project cost, Railways would assure a return of 7% on the investment.
For other projects to be executed under the joint venture route, the concerned industry would receive tariff rebates, subject to a specific agreement
Orissa Govt. to sign MoU with 8 power firms
Friday, February 06, 2009
Report by Orissadiary correspondent;
Sahara India Power Corporation Ltd. has proposed to set up of 1320 Mw thermal power plant at village Turla in Bolangir district at an investment of Rs 5604 crore.
Similarly, Ind-Barath Energy Utkal Limited (IBEUL) plans to set up 700 MW (2x350) thermal power plant at Sahajbahal near Banaharpali in Jharsuguda district at an investment of Rs 3,150 crore.
Visaka Thermal Power Pvt. Ltd. will set up a 1100 Mw coal based power plant at Bhandaripokhari or Banto block in Bhadrakh district at an investment of Rs 4810 crore.The company will require 1200 acres of land for the project will source 36 cusecs of water from Baitarani.
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) proposes to set up a 1320 Mw thermal power plant at Athamallik tehsil in Angul district with an investment of Rs 5940 crore. This project will require 49 cusecs of water and 1625 acres of land for the project.
Though the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) has approved the 1680 Mw thermal power project proposed by L &T Ltd. with an investment of Rs 10,200 crore near Dhamra in Bhadrakh district, there were some issues to be resolved. So no decision has been taken about signing the MoU with the company.
Besides, the Kalinga Energy plans to set up a 1000 Mw thermal power project at an investment of Rs 4,393 crore at Babuchakuli. While Arati Steel proposes to se up a 500 Mw thermal power plant at Ghantikhal in Cuttack district, Chambal Infrastructures and Ventures Ltd plans to set up 1200 Mw power plant at Siaria in Dhenkanal district.
Earlier, the Orissa government had signed MoUs with 13 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in 2006 envisaging an aggregate generation capacity of more than 16,000 Mw.
http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=10651
Mining – International
Tribes, individuals struggle to protect sacred sites
San Francisco Peaks ruling evokes negative response from many
By Gale Courey Toensing
Story Published: Feb 6, 2009
Story Updated: Feb 6, 2009
In August, the court overturned a previous ruling that prevented an
The U.S. Forest Service manages the
The tribes argued under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, that they regard the mountain as “an indivisible living entity. … home to deities and other spirit beings.”
A circuit panel led by Judge William Fletcher took their side, but the case went en banc and in an 8-3 ruling in August, the court gave the ski owner the go ahead, saying the tribes had failed to establish a violation of the RFRA “because the presence of recycled wastewater on the ski area would not coerce the tribes to act contrary to their religious beliefs.”
Writing for the majority, Judge Carlos Bea held that Congress did not mean to hamstring the government when it passed the RFRA. So when analyzing whether the government’s actions “substantially burden” a religious practice, the plaintiffs should have to demonstrate a certain kind of impact.
“The use of recycled wastewater on a ski area that covers one percent of the peaks,” Bea wrote, “does not force the plaintiffs to choose between following the tenets of their religion and receiving a governmental benefit. … The use of recycled wastewater to make artificial snow also does not coerce the plaintiffs to act contrary to their religion under the threat of civil or criminal sanctions.”
The “only effect of the proposed upgrades is on the plaintiffs’ subjective, emotional religious experience. That is, the presence of recycled wastewater on the Peaks is offensive to the plaintiffs’ religious sensibilities. ... the diminishment of spiritual fulfillment - serious though it may be - is not a ‘substantial burden’ on the free exercise of religion,” the justices said.
But you don’t have to be Indian or even spiritual to have a yuck response to the idea of spraying recycled human waste on a mountain. Environmental groups including Sierra Club, Flagstaff Activist Network and
The “decision not only places these ways of life in peril, but sets the stage for an ecological and public health catastrophe,” said Jeneda Benally, member of the Save the Peaks Coalition, in a release.
The National Congress of American Indians’ Tribal Supreme Court Project is working with the plaintiff to prepare a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court and the development of an amicus strategy in support of the petition.
San Francisco Peaks was the most spectacular example of an endangered sacred site, but efforts to protect other sites occurred across the country, including:
In June the Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Zuni, Laguna and Acoma pueblos formed the first steps in forcing a dialogue with mining companies in an effort to safeguard Mount Taylor from potential uranium mining.
In July, the Great Plains Tribal Chiefs Association, which represents 16 nations, signed a resolution drawn up by Tamra Brennan, founder/director of the grass-roots organization Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation, to protect Bear Butte, known as Mato Paha to the Sioux, and sacred areas listed in the 40
In September, Brian Spirit Bear Michaud, a Pennacook/Micmac man representing a small group of unrecognized American Indians in northern New Hampshire and southern Maine, fought local authorities in York, Maine, to protect an ancient stone mound on Mount Agamenticus that memorializes the 17th century Pennacook Chief Sachem Passaconaway. The group comprises some of the surviving descendants of eastern woodlands tribes that were wiped out by the wars, diseases and assimilation of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/southwest/39219172.html
IBI Signs Definitive Agreement for Uranium Project in Tanzania
Fri. February 06, 2009; Posted: 06:30 AM
The Agreement was signed by IBI and Trimark subsequent to Trimark having issued a Notice of Termination following default of its agreement with the previous option holder on the approximate 72-square-kilometre property. The addition of the Ruhuhu property brings IBI's uranium property portfolio
in
Under the terms of the Agreement, IBI has an option ("Option") to acquire a 90% interest in the Ruhuhu property. The four-year Option expires on February 4, 2013. The Option is to be exercisable by IBI on completion of a defined exploration program. Trimark is to retain a 10% carried interest. The closing of the Agreement is contingent upon receipt of the renewal exploration license on the property from the Government of Tanzania.
Under the Agreement, Trimark will provide all exploration data developed to date related to the Ruhuhu property, which includes a preliminary geological study and two initial geophysical studies, including data on preliminary ground and trenching exploration performed by the previous option holder. Earlier work is reported to have discovered evidence of uranium mineralization in trenches, targeted from radiometric aerial surveys.
Details of the prior exploration work carried out will be summarized and announced as soon as the data is available.
IBI is defined as the operator going forward, both before and after exercise of the Option. IBI is making a cash payment to Trimark of US$35,000 on closing and is to make a further payment of US$40,000 after one year. On exercise of the Option by IBI, Trimark would be vested a 2% net smelter royalty interest ("NSR"), with a further option in favour of IBI to buy-back the NSR upon payment of US$1 million to Trimark.
As previously noted in IBI's news release of October 28, 2008, announcing the signing of the Letter of Intent for this Agreement, the addition of the Ruhuhu property represents an important step forward in the development of IBI's uranium strategy for
Brian Hester, IBI's advisor to the Board of Directors is a partner in Trimark.
Dr. Jim Misener P. Eng, IBI's Qualified Person, has reviewed and approved this news release.
IBI Corporation Overview
Uranium: Following a decision to focus on high-value minerals exploration and development in
Gold: IBI has accelerated its program of investing in promising gold opportunities, most notably through its 20% ownership position in Grey Crown Resources Limited. Grey Crown owns and operates the Tira Gold Mine in
Reader Advisory: Statements in this document may contain forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the prospectivity of this property. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2163281/
Pains and Gains of Coals Mining in
Engr. Khondkar Abdus Saleque
Friday, 02.06.2009, 05:48pm (GMT)
Of the 144000 sqkm about 10000 sq km is water. About 150million people living in 44000 sqkm makes it one of the densely populated countries of the world. Agriculture is the main occupation .About 8.5million hectares which is about 60% of the land area is total permanent arable land area. Of these about 40000 sqkm is irrigated.
In 1974 the then democratic government endeavouring to salvage the country from liberation war ruins and absorbing international conspiracy struggled to feed 75 million people and there was an artificial famine. But the same country after 35 years can feed two square meals to 150 million people despite of regular visits of severe natural calamities .This is no mean achievement as a nation. This could be much better if democracy survived and military autocracy did not ruin our institutions and institutionalise corruption from 1975 till 1990.Efforts have been made to turn around from 1991-2001.There were many failures and some successes. But from 2001-2006 the war criminal and corrupt mafia syndicate infected government ruined all achievements. The nation is now struggling to control damage and restore discipline.
For putting the derailed economy of track again smooth supply of energy is a must. But serious crisis has gripped
When present government took over it inherited almost a non functional energy sector where reached crisis stage. Care taker government took some honest endeavour to adopt coal policy; to start offshore exploration for petroleum, to set up some large gas based base load power plants. But weak and non performing energy sector management bowed down to the ill motivated propaganda of a vested quarter to implement Care Taker Government plans.
Present democratic government as per its election pledges got down into serious business right from the day one. Sensing the sensitivity of energy sector PM herself kept Energy ministry under her direct control and engaged a successful beauracrat of her earlier term Dr Tawfique Elahi Chy as her Energy Sector advisor. Later on she also engaged an elected MP from Pabna as state minister of Power, Energy and Mineral resources.
One of the major challenges of the government is to commence coal exploration without delay and set up several coal based power plants to make sufficient power available to meet the present and emerging deficit. The mono fuel natural gas dependent power generation can not create sustainable energy security unless we urgently go for economic exploitation of all other available resources. But the country still remains divided over technical and other issues of mining although the energy sector at this moment does not have any practicing mining experts. A highly ill motivated anti development group is creating panic among would be affected people about the possible adverse impacts of coal mining.
The entire discovered coal resource of
Our the oretiticians can fan up people with cheap catchy slogans, But why someone did not carry out surgery of Barapukuria mine planning? Who will answer all these questions? So called Energy Experts deliberated for months- years on coal policy. Did they ever realise the massive impacts the inappropriate mining method of substandard mining technique at Barapukuria can create devastating long term impacts?
Government is trying to address the situation now. Temporary compensation of some people may not be enough. Once subsidence impact has triggered it may continue over a long period. Government must carry out detail investigation engaging independent experts and take contingency and long term mitigation actions. Government must try to mobilise real mining experts from home and abroad and before taking decision on future course of action must proceed with due care.
Natural resources underground belong to the state. But surface land and infrastructure may be privately owned. For the national interest government can acquire the surface infrastructures and property paying adequate compensations and arranging for proper relocation and rehabilitation. For energy security of 150 million Bangladeshi relocation and proper rehabilitation of even 100000 people may not be a big deal. T But that has to be done in a proper way without creating panic.
Draft coal policy which so called experts prepared over two years among others recommended for a pilot project for experimenting open pit mining at Barapukuria. Ridiculous. If Geology, soil, technology, depth and thickness of coal, Surface and subsurface water table justify open pit mining it should be one. There must not be any fuss about it. If not what are other options. It is clear that underground mining at Barapukuria is a technical and financial disaster. We then can forget about mining altogether and rely on Indian inferior quality coal till eternity.
Government has challenges at hand
Address the crisis at hand. Relocate and rehabilitate the impacted facilities and those who may be impacted in future around Barapukuria.
Set up an expert committee drawing experienced miners at home and Bangladeshi expatriates to investigate the reasons for mine subsidence, analyse and recommend measures to avoid such incidence in future.
Examine the mine leasing agreement with AEC and its submitted development plan by an expert committee and le them start mining if their submitted procedure and technology has adequate safeguard to mange and mitigate all social and environmental impacts. Strict monitoring of environment and safety management must be in place and local people must be made aware of possible and probable impacts of mining well before hand.
Arrange proper compensation, relocation and rehabilitation of as affected people. If it is Asia Energy responsibility government must manage and monitor the actions of the contractor to make it happen properly. These activities must be implemented through proper consultation and acknowledging all genuine grievances of affected people. Make sure that local people get preference for employment and works in mining activity and everything is done to regenerate their income.
Government may finalise an investment friendly and environment friendly coal policy similar to those in existence in other countries of similar geological. F geographical and social environment.
Government must do everything possible to develop technical and managerial capacity of Petrobangla mining directorate BMD and GSB so that they can act as watchdogs for mining activities properly.
Coal mining will have lots of gains a few pains. We have to make some sacrifice for greater gains. Open pit mining will cause some people to be relocated, temporary loss of farming land. But the overall economic national gains arising from utilization of coal for power generation and other purpose, generation of direct and indirect employment for local people , creation of other supplementary infrastructure will more than offset the pains .The standard of living of the people of Rangpoor and Dinajpoor is well below than that in other parts of Bangladesh. They do not have proper education, health care and access to other modern amenities of life. If government can set up modern mine city with all facilities and progressively relocate the mine affected people there no one should have any objection to that. We must realise that economic but safe exploration of coal and optimally utilize coal is our major option now to attain energy security. Availability of coal will relieve already stressed gas resources and make gas available for new fertilizer plants, CNG and industrial development. Entire nation must realise this and refrain the group indulged in self destructive agitations. We consider that elected government and elected MPs of Dinajpoor and Rangpoor are the persons who should be tasked to motivate the people and ensure that the get properly rehabilitated and adequately compensated.
http://energybangla.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=SomethingtoSay&article=1472
S Africa ’s gold miners face deepening gloom
By Tom Burgis
Published: 18:14 | Last updated: 18:14
The ammonia still hangs heavy in the air from the last blast. Drenched in sweat, the faces of the miners on the morning shift betray nothing but concentration. Yet when the previous night’s explosion took them a few metres further into the South African rock this week, their gold mine, Mponeng, became the world’s deepest.
The pride of the managers at Anglogold
Today,
The last time output fell so precipitously, in 1901, the Boer war was raging and bubonic plague was rife in
That Mponeng has surpassed its neighbour to reach a depth of 3,778m is a reminder that
”We’ve gone through all the sweet spots,” says Graham Briggs, chief executive of Harmony, the world’s ninth biggest producer whose entire production currently comes from South Africa. ”The grade [quality] year on year is downwards.”
Banks such as UBS and Goldman Sachs this week have forecast that gold prices will rise above $1,000 an ounce in the near term, probably hitting an all-time high.
John Reade, a precious metal strategist at UBS in
South Africa
A team uses a mechanical driller to bore holes for fresh explosions.
Yet while investors may see gold as an island of security in a financial tempest, there is nothing easy about digging out the precious metal at a depth equivalent to 10
Such dangers, coupled with the backlash of years of rising fatalities, have propelled safety to the forefront of South African gold mining agendas. Already, fewer miners are dying. But there are further difficulties: aids kills about 600 South Africans a day; apartheid has been dismantled but the skills shortage created by decades of systematically under-educating the black majority remains.
”Most of the operations are mature and their life-of-mine is limited without developing resources below 4,000 metres,” says David Davis, senior gold analyst at Credit Suisse Standard Securities. The costs of starting such a mine from scratch ”would be prohibitive unless the gold price was, say, $2,000 [an ounce]”. Most analysts’ long-term forecasts are closer to $900.
All the same, executives predict static or increased output over last year’s level, which should help keep prices high if investors continue to demand large amounts of bullion.
As
These days Anglogold, formerly the gold arm of Anglo American, considers itself a global company, with an array of international listings. While Mark Cutifani, chief executive, says he is ”committed to South Africa”, the country will soon yield only 40 per cent of Anglogold’s output. The difficulties at operating so far underground will cap production.
Nick Holland, Gold Fields’ chief executive, told the Financial Times that he is scouting for more assets in West Africa, Asia,
But like his counterparts, Mr Holland refuses to give up on
But
One bellwether will come when Anglogold’s board decides in July whether or not to spend ”two-figure billions” on pushing into the huge reef that extends even deeper than Mponeng.
The push deeper than the current record of 3,778m down into the earth will depend a lot on whether investor appetite for the precious metal pushes it beyond another all-time high: the $1,030.80 a troy ounce price it reached last March. Yesterday in
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4ac8f142-f39f-11dd-9c4b-0000779fd2ac.htm
The state of Uranium
This piece was written for FT Alphaville by Gregor Macdonald, an independent energy analyst and investor based in
How goes uranium? Coming out of the previous recession, the uranium story tracks that of most other commodities this decade: a spectacular rise into 2007/08 that looked every bit the secular advance. Uranium’s overall percentage gain well exceeded that of other headliners like gold, copper, and oil.
At the starting gate in 2003 refined uranium, or yellowcake, was trading at just $7 a pound as a hangover of national stockpiles was available to feed demand. By the spring of 2007, growth in power generation and production setbacks at mines had pushed prices to nearly $140.
Now spot uranium prices have fallen to the $50 level. Alas, the uranium supercycle proved all too cyclical.
While this makes uranium appear as just another busted asset, some meaningful developments took place over that five year span. First, countries like
Uranium Participation Corp, a closed end fund trading on the Toronto Exchange, became a way to hold physical uranium. Also, ETF providers like Van Eck in the
But that’s not to say volume and liquidity grew to any notable level at the NYMEX. While volumes were respectable for about a year, the credit crisis and global market mayhem took their toll. The electronic market, although it continues to offer monthly contracts all the way out to 2014, is currently very thin.
The global recession meanwhile is presenting a rather obvious problem to any new price advance. Power generation in both the OECD and in
In addition, construction costs for new plants have skyrocketed. Some recent studies have also suggested the energy return on investment for new nuclear, after construction time and materials, may actually take years. In this regard nuclear power has been somewhat hurt in the same fashion that solar and wind power have been impacted by the fall in fossil fuel prices. Unless the global economy kick-starts demand for oil, coal, and natural gas on its own, the next price advance will likely have to come from new government-led policy initiatives. And that may happen. Because despite the serious problems surrounding waste, nuclear power still holds a strong advantage in the debate over carbon and climate change.
http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/02/06/52110/the-state-of-uranium/
Supervisors urge Congress to allow uranium mining
By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News
Friday, February 6, 2009 12:32 AM CST
KINGMAN - The
In a special meeting, the county supervisors voted to urge Congress to allow uranium and other mineral mining in the area of
“First it stops the mining, then it will stop grazing and next it stops forestry,” District 1 Sup. Gary Watson said.
Watson said there has not been any mining in the past few years with most of the mining claims on Bureau of Land Management land. Opening the land up to uranium mining would create about 300 to 500 new jobs. The Kingman supervisor also said uranium mining and reclaiming the land are already subject to the most stringent environmental standards.
District 2 Sup. Tom Sockwell of
The
The Arizona Strip has about 375 million pounds of uranium oxide, the second largest area in the country and rivaling the oil output from Prudhoe Bay in
http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2009/02/06/news/local/local2.txt
Hurt council takes action on uranium
Friday, February 6, 2009 3:05 PM EST
Meeting Feb. 3, council voted 5-0 to pass the resolution after hearing from both opponents of uranium mining and officials from Virginia Uranium Inc., the
Patrick Wales, a project manager with Virginia Uranium, also presented a resolution to council. It resolved that the town supports the current study by the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission Subcommittee on Uranium Mining to determine the possible impact of mining in the state.
"The town citizens don't want it. And we represent the town citizens," Councilman Tommy Neal said after the meeting. "If they're going to mine that stuff around here, they need to make sure it's safe."
The current study should take 18-24 months.
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2009/02/06/altavista/news/news18.txt
Hunters warned planned mine could hurt
By Mike Touzeau
Published: Friday, February 6, 2009 6:02 PM MST
Special to the
An unlikely alliance of groups from both ends of the political spectrum is expressing concern over the proposed Rosemont Mine in the Santa Rita mountains.
The mining operation, which could take up to 4,000 acres in the mountains, has brought together conservation groups such as the Sierra Club — often aligned against hunters and gun lovers — with sportsmen who also oppose the project.
“It makes for some strange bedfellows,” said Dan Gordon, president of the Green Valley Fishing and Hunting Club.
The club takes no official stance, but about 35 members listened Tuesday as Nan Stockholm Walden, co-owner of Farmers Investment Company (FICO), told them the mine “would devastate habitats far outside its boundaries.”
FICO, which is a major water user and a water supplier in the area and owns the pecan grove along Nogales Highway, is working with other groups, including the Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Hilton Ranch Road organizations, to oppose the construction of the open-pit mine by Canadian-based Augusta Resource.
Walden said the mine would be visible on both sides of the mountains.
“It’s some of the most beautiful country in the area,” Walden said as she talked of riding her horse near
According to a July letter from Joan Scott, habitat program manager for the Tucson Regional Office of the state Game and Fish Department, the mine “will render the northern portion of the Santa Rita Mountains virtually worthless as wildlife habitat and as a functioning ecosystem, and thus worthless for wildlife recreation.”
“It’s going to be permanent,” said Walden, who produced the letter at the meeting.
The letter, written to Beverley Everson, a geologist with
Walden, whose father was a hunter and trapper in
Walden told the audience that FICO takes seriously its responsibility to deliver and conserve water and described some of the measures the company has introduced to reduce water consumption.
Augusta Resource has begun drilling for mining operation water in
Walden said any boost to the economy from the mine would be lost on hits to recreation, tourism and home values.
Walden, who is also an environmental lawyer, said the broad-based bipartisan opposition to the project has put traditionally liberal environmentalists in league with more generally right-leaning gun rights advocates and hunters.
“This is not a done deal,” she said of the mine. “If there is enough of a human outcry, it can be stopped.”
Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.
http://www.gvnews.com/articles/2009/02/06/news/02hunters.txt
Other News – India
SC seeks report on child labour from NHRC
Press Trust Of
First Published: 09:25 IST(7/2/2009)
Last Updated: 09:27 IST(7/2/2009)
The Supreme Court on Friday sought a comprehensive report from the NHRC on steps taken by the state governments to eradicate bonded and child labour.
A bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam asked NHRC to assist in the matter after it was informed that the rights body in 2004 was asked to monitor the development in this regard.
Senior advocate A K Ganguly, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae (friend of court) in the matter, said the PIL on the issue was disposed of on May 5, 2005 with a direction that the NHRC would monitor steps taken by the state government.
He informed the court about the history of litigation on the matter and said earlier the Labour Ministry had identified 14 states as vulnerable to the problem and the figure has now increased to 16.
The Bench initially was of the opinion that the issue could be brought before the concerned High Courts if effective measures were not undertaken by the state government.
However, when Ganguly said he could not do much in this regard as he was only assisting the apex court on the issue, the Bench asked the NHRC to file a comprehensive report.
NREGA funds poorly utilised
Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb. 6: Malda district has spent only Rs 60 crore in this financial year out of the total available funds of Rs 70.89 crore for the 100-days job initiative under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).
The district has received Rs 63.98 crore for this financial year including the state share. It also has Rs 6.81 crore in hand from 2007-08.
According to the district administrative officials, Malda has spent nearly Rs 10.85 crore in the period until January 2009.
The principal secretary of the P&RD, Dr MN Roy, will hold a video conference on 10 February with all district officials to review the state utilisation of funds for the period up until January.
The panchayat and rural development (P&RD) department has asked the district to prepare a present progress report on the NREGA and to gear up for the speedy implementation of several prepared schemes under the NREGA before March this year.
The commissioner of the NREGA, Mr MV Raol, had previously asked the Malda district administrative officials to send at least Rs one crore directly and in advance to each block development officer (BDO) to speed up the process of implementing the 100-days job initiative. However, the principal secretary of the P&RD, Dr MN Roy, had blocked that command, and no such funds had been sent.
Sources said that not only in Malda, but in other districts, nearly 40 to 50 GPs were unable to implement the 100-days job initiative.
According to the Malda district nodal officer of NREGA, four GPs in Kaliachak I block, one GP in Kaliachak III, two GPs in English Bazaar and two in Ratua could not implement the 100-days job initiative.
GPs like Shovanagar, Pukuria, Paranpur, Araidanga, Jadupur I, Alipur-I, Silampur and others located near the block headquarters could not implement the 100-days job initiative during this financial year.
There is some good news, however. Following the direction of Dr M N Roy, the district nodal office, Malda will be implementing the 100-days job initiative in nine gram panchayats (GP) next week which were previously completely untouched by the act.
“We expect that work will begin in the nine GPs from next week,” confirmed Mr Ranjit Mandal, the district nodal officer.
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=10&theme=&usrsess=1&id=243209
Gehlot calls for effective implementation of NREGA
Published: February 7,2009
Jaipur , Feb 7 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has asked district officials to evolve a system to ensure that the National Rural Employment Guarantee act (NREGA) is effectively implemented.
Addressing a workshop organised by Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Institute for effective implementation of NREGA, Gehlot said his government is spending a big amount under the scheme to benefit maximum families in the state.
The Chief Minister asked state, district and block level officials to plug all loopholes in the system and curb corruption in the state.
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/496756/National/1/20/1
Haryana gets 98 SEZ proposals Ramesh Vinayak
India Today expert view on
Notwithstanding the global recession and domestic economic slowdown, Haryana has received 98 proposals for setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with a projected investment of more than Rs. 2 lakh crore and employment potential of more than 21 lakh persons in last last two years.
Of these, 63 proposals have been granted in principle approval by the Union Government.
This was disclosed by the Haryana Governor A.R. Kidwai while addressing the opening day of the state Assembly's budget session on Friday.
He said that during the year 2008-09 (upto December, 2008), seven SEZ proposals were received with a projected investment of about Rs. 3,820 crore and employment potential for one lakh persons. Master plans have been approved for nine SEZs and development works are at various stages of completion at four sites.
A stable law and order situation, cordial labour relations, quality infrastructure facilities, simplified rules and procedures and a cosmopolitan ambience have made Haryana a preferred destination for investment by local and multinational companies. Today, Haryana has 1,347 large and medium units and about 80,000 small scale units. The exports from Haryana during the year 2007-08 have crossed Rs. 30,000 crore. The State has so far received foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs.12,500 crore of which an investment of Rs. 9,000 crore has come up after the implementation of the Industrial Policy of 2005.
The state has witnessed an unprecedented flow of investment to the tune of about Rs. 40,000 crore after the announcement of Industrial Policy of 2005. Projects with an investment of more than Rs. 90,000 crore are in the pipeline. It is heartening to note that the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) ranked Haryana at the top amongst the Indian States with per capita investment of Rs. 78,500 in its report for September, 2007. Haryana was ranked at number 13 five years ago as per CMIE report.
Kidwai said that the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation is in the process of development of industrial model townships (IMT) at Rohtak and Faridabad whereas steps have been initiated by the Government for acquisition of more than 15,000 acres of land for development of industrial infrastructure at various locations including expansion of IMT Manesar, Kharkhoda, Jagadhari, Barhi and Bawal. The state government has planned to develop economic hubs all along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway and also at the strategic locations all over the state.
He said that recognizing that simplification of work processes and various government approvals is as critical and important as other factors in facilitating investment, the State Government has already implemented the Industrial Promotion Act, underlining time bound single window clearances to the entrepreneurs. To maintain industrial health and safety at work place and harmonious industrial relations, a number of initiatives have been taken during the year.
He said that a campaign was launched for detection of child labour and prosecutions were launched against defaulting employers. For rehabilitation of destitute children, three rehabilitation centres with a capacity of 50 each have been set up this year at an estimated cost of Rs.1.30 crore at
For complete eradication of child labour, a centrally sponsored scheme of National Child Labour Projects has been implemented in three districts of the state i.e.
The state government has amended the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963 to provide relief to the citizens, who had constructed shops, houses and small industrial units in the restricted 30 metre belt, which would benefit more than 40,000 persons.
In order to harness the economic potential of the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway, Development Plans have been finalized for Kharkhoda and Sampla. Kharkhoda will have an
Massive water criss by 2025
6 Feb 2009, 1418 hrs IST, PTI
| |
in climate change, population growth, rural to urban migration and consumption continue.
Speaking at a high-level symposium on water security here yesterday, UN Dy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro stressed that "if present trends continue, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with water scarcity by 2025, and two-thirds of the world population could be subject to water stress."
"The lack of safe water and sanitation is inextricably linked with poverty and malnutrition, particularly among the world's poor," Migiro said at the two-day meeting organised by the World Water Organisation (WWO).
"It limits girls' school attendance and exacerbates maternal mortality. Yet today about 900 million people still rely on unimproved drinking-water supplies, and 2.5 billion people remain without improved sanitation facilities," she added.
Unless urgent action is taken the conflict between water supply and demand is set to get worse, Migiro told the symposium's participants, comprising of experts from the UN, Member States, as well as corporate, medical, scientific, academic and non-government organisations.
Migiro noted that agriculture consumes roughly three quarters of the world's fresh water supplies and in
"More than 1.4 billion people live in river basins where their use of water exceeds minimum recharge levels, leading to desiccation of rivers and the depletion of groundwater, she said.
The Deputy Secretary-General stressed that achieving water security would mean more effective water management, including enhancing food security through more equitable allocation of water for agriculture and food production.
"It means ensuring the integrity of ecosystems, and it means promoting peaceful collaboration in the sharing of water resources, particularly in the case of boundary and trans-boundary water resources."
"In establishing the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one half, by 2015, the number of people without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, the United Nations has challenged the international community to work together to improve such conditions," she said.
The symposium aims to identify specific threats and vulnerabilities to global water security and propose practical solutions for the protection and preservation of water supplies
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