1. 'Govt has surrendered land to AP mining firm'
2. BEML to dig deeper into mining contracts
3. SPL bags Rs 42,000 cr coal-to-liquid project
4. Industry may get to mine & sell coal in open mkt via PPP route
5. IVRCL unit in deal with Uranium Corp
6. Global mining M&A touch $153.4 bn in 2008: PwC
7. Tatas, Jindals win coal-to-oil crowns
8. HDK govt’s dealings come under HC scanner
9. India invites Canadian firms to develop mining sector
10. 112 mining licences granted on Bushman land since evictions
11. Mining explorer expects Queensland uranium ban to go
12. Mineral rights showdown at Badlands ranch
13. The year of the ‘no deal’ in mining sector says PricewaterhouseCoopers report
14. 4 county mine sites reclaimed
15. UPDATE 1-Lihir Gold to raise $325 mln to fund mine expansion
16. 'India-Aus ties set upward despite no deal on uranium supply'
17. Project to be taken up for biodiversity conservation
18. APIIC disputes findings of study on SEZs
19. Central panel slams state for tribals’ plight
20. Public hearing on Dibang hydropower project this month
Mining – India
'Govt has surrendered land to AP mining firm' |
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| Press Trust Of |
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JD(S) today accused the BJP government of allowing a mining firm in Andhra Pradesh owned by three Karnataka ministers to carry on illegal mining in the border district of Bellary. “To benefit three ministers who are into mining, the BJP Government has surrendered state’s land to the extent of 36 kms (on the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border) to the mining firm owned by these individuals,” former prime minister and JDS supremo H D Devegowda alleged at a press conference here.
Gowda, who did not mention any names, was apparently targeting revenue minister G Karunakara Reddy, his brother and tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy and their close aide health minister B Sriramulu, who are in the mining business. The firm, which holds mining licence in Andhra Pradesh, had been engaged in illegal mining in Vennahalli, Halkundi and Belagallu villages in the reserved forest areas of
While the political parties in the state hitherto had fought for the state’s rights on land and water, the present government had chosen to “surrender” it, Gowda alleged.
The JDS chief said he would write to the President, the prime minister and the Election Commission drawing their attention to the issue.
http://business-standard.com/india/news/govt-has-surrendered-land-to-ap-mining-firm/10/30/350757/
BEML to dig deeper into mining contracts
Submitted by Sahil Nagpal on Wed,
Construction equipment major inks agreement with Indonesian firm to bid for domestic deals
JSW Steel Ltd is believed to have placed orders to import 4,00,000 tonnes of coal at renegotiated lower prices by the end of this fiscal.
Seshagiri Rao, director (finance) at JSW Steel, said the Sajjan Jindal-led company has renegotiated the prices of coking coal to be imported in the January-February period to $175 per tonne from $300-305 a tonne earlier with one of its suppliers. DNA Money has learnt that JSW Steel has already received the delivery of over 2,00,000 tonne of coal in this quarter at renegotiated prices. Rao, however, declined to comment on the quantities of coal it plans to import.
Indian steelmakers were forced to ask coal vendors to reduce the prices of the commodity after international spot prices declined by as much as 66% in the second half of 2008. International spot prices of coking coal had fallen to less than $100 per tonne in the second half of 2008 due to the ongoing global economic crisis from over $300 per tonne in the first half.
Companies such as JSW Steel and Steel Authority of India Ltd, however, couldn’t enjoy the benefits of reduced input prices as they were bound by long-term contracts to buy the commodity at fixed prices. “We are in the process of negotiating contracts for the April-March period (of fiscal 2009-10),” Rao said. He refused to put a figure to the price the company expects. However, it is learnt that JSW Steel is trying to get vendors to agree to $100 per tonne. Lower-priced long-term contracts in the next fiscal may ease input cost pressures on the company, which reported a decline in operating margins in the December quarter of FY09 due to increase in raw material costs.
Meanwhile, rival Tata Steel, too, is asking vendors to cut the prices of imported coking coal. “Tata Steel is looking at all input costs, including coal, to bring those in line with depressed steel prices,” a Tata Steel spokesperson told DNA Money. The spokesperson, however, declined to say if the company was successful in securing lower prices for the commodity after a sharp correction in international spot prices in the second half of 2008. Tata Steel’s operating margins fell 10 percentage points to 4.9% in the quarter ended
Shaleen Agrawal / DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication
http://www.topnews.in/beml-dig-deeper-mining-contracts-2134664
SPL bags Rs 42,000 cr coal-to-liquid project |
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| Press Trust of |
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Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) today said it has bagged the prestigious $8 billion (Rs 42,000 crore) project to convert coal into liquid petroleum and would produce 80,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
"The government of
The entire project is estimated to entail an investment of about Rs 42,000 crore and will come up in Angul district of Orissa, it added.
JSPL said the project will require 30 million tonnes of washed coal to produce 80,000 barrels of crude oil a day and the wastes generated out of the project would be used for generating 1,350 Mw of electricity.
In all, 22 firms including RIL, the Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Infrastructure, SAIL, GAIL, IndianOil, GMR Inra and Vedanta had applied for the pilot project in Orissa.
The Inter-Ministerial Group had recommended JSPL and Tata Group (in JV with Sasol of South Africa) for the coal-to-liquid (CTL) project.
JSPL said the completion of CTL project will enhance the country's energy security by reducing dependence on imported crude.
As for the technology to be used for the project, the Naveen Jindal-led company said it will go for indirect coal liquefaction developed by its German partner Lurgi.
"The project will be based on fixed bed dry bottom technology of Lurgi, which is best suited for Indian coal having high ash," the company said.
It added that the proposed technology is environment friendly and the crude produced by the process will have low polyacromatics while carbon dioxide captured would be used in fertiliser industries for inert purposes.
JSPL plans to use the ash generated from the project for road building, brick making, cement manufacturing and back filing of mines.
The company is already in the process of implementing a six-million tonne steel plant in Orissa.
For the CTL project, the Coal Ministry was offering three coal blocks -- Radhikapur, Srirampur and Ramchandi -- in Orissa with cumulative reserves of about six billion tonnes.
On its website, the ministry had said a 1.5-billion-tonne coal block should enable mining operations of 28-31 million tonnes of run-of-mine coal per annum for 30 years.
Industry may get to mine & sell coal in open mkt via PPP route
ventures with state-run firms such as Coal
The development is significant as it will seek to allow private companies such as Tata Steel, Monnet Ispat, GVK Power to sell domestic coal in the open market, so far a monopoly of state-run companies. Private companies are only permitted to mine coal for their captive consumption now.
Getting private firms could also help to boost
An official in the coal ministry confirmed the government’s move, saying plans were afoot to finalise a note and get the proposal approved by the Cabinet.
“We have sought advice of the law ministry on whether sub-leasing of coal blocks allocated to government companies or to a joint venture company (which may not necessarily be a government company) is permitted under the provisions of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
He added that the additional solicitor general, one of the government’s top law officials, has already advised that this may be permitted in case of joint venture companies where a government company owns a 26% stake and controls the composition of board of directors.
Once the new norms are notified, private sector companies will be allowed to pick up to 74% equity in coal mining projects. However, the composition of the management may be decided by the government company, which can either appoint an equal number or majority of directors on the board and nominate the venture’s chairman.
Once the joint venture route is opened, private sector companies will be allowed to form alliances with state-run firms or state mineral development corporations for commercial mining. The private partner may also be allowed to sell and trade coal under permission from the government company.
Steel and power company Monnet Ispat and Energy (MIEL) is in talks with Madhya Pradesh Mineral development Corporation to form a venture for mining underground coal.
Till now, 198 coal blocks comprising reserves of 42 billion tonnes have been allocated to various public and private sector companies. While companies controlled by the central government have 22 blocks with reserves of over 9.6 billion tonnes, state government undertakings have 789 blocks with reserves of 18 billion tonnes. The latter could become a target for the private sector for joint ventures as they have little experience of coal mining.
IVRCL unit in deal with Uranium Corp
K V Ramana
As part of its plans, the company is set to implement a project for Uranium Corporation of India Ltd at Tummalapalle in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
UCIL is setting up a uranium mining and processing plant with an estimated outlay of Rs 1,100 crore. The unit will have a capacity to process 3,000 tonnes of uranium per day. E Sudhir Reddy, Hind Dorr Oliver vice-chairman, told DNA Money the company is building the entire plant and would also supply equipment to UCIL. "The drawings and designs of the plant too are being done by us and some of them have already been approved by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre."
The project to build the uranium plant is worth Rs 442 crore and would be executed in about 22 months. "There are strict timelines for completion. This project would offer 12-14% EBITDA margins," Reddy said.
For executing the project, HDO has tied up with South Africa-based Bateman Engineering. Bateman is a technology company serving the minerals and metals industries worldwide, covering mining, minerals and metals processing, ferro alloys, mineral salts, environmental protection, bulk- materials handling and water and effluent treatment. It also serves the power and energy markets in
The plant that is being developed by HDO would help in uranium recovery. "The plant will not result in any radioactive material since the plant brings out the raw uranium in the form of yellow cakes. Only after further processing it would be useful for any energy generation," he explained.
However, Reddy said, the UCIL project would only useful to showcase HDO's strengths in executing a complex project and would look for further opportunities in the sector.
"We are planning to make it a vertical now. If we get more projects directly it's good. Otherwise, we are working on a plan to tie up with the global technology majors in the nuclear energy and related mining sectors. With these tie-ups, we will look at supplying equipment and technologies in the Indian market," he said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1235952
Global mining M&A touch $153.4 bn in 2008: PwC
global consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers says.
According to the annual review by PricewaterhouseCoopers of the global mining sector M&A activity "2008 proved to be a year of extremes. Commodity prices soared to record highs only to fall precipitously as the financial crisis intensified and economic conditions deteriorated".
The mining deal volumes in 2008, however, represent a dip of 4 per cent from its previous year figure largely due to the global economic crisis in the third quarter of the year 2008.
"The total value of deals in the final three months of 2008 fell 61 per cent sliding down toward the quarterly level last seen in 2005. Average deal value more than halved, falling from $ 119 million in Q3 to $ 53 million in Q4," the survey added.
Elaborating on the current economic situation, PricewaterhouseCoopers' India Leader for energy, utilities and mining Kameswara Rao said: "We see a unique environment that will reshape much of the sectors ownership.
The rapid decline in commodity and equity prices, combined with the financing constraints with the global credit crisis, has left the sector polarised between the strong and the weak."
Tatas, Jindals win coal-to-oil crowns
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Both the projects, estimated to cost $6-8 billion each, will come up in Orissa.
The Union coal ministry has allotted the Ramchandi block to Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) and the north Arkhapal block to Strategic Energy Technology Systems Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture between Tata Sons and Sasol of South Africa.
Both JSPL and the Tatas confirmed the allotments. A Tata Sons spokesperson said, “The Tata-Sasol JV has been awarded the coal-to-liquid project in Orissa. This is a right step towards securing fuel security for the country.”
Around 22 companies, including Reliance Industries, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure, GMR Industries and GAIL India, had submitted bids for the two pilot projects.
Initially, the government had planned a pilot project of up to $8 billion in Orissa to produce 80,000 barrels of crude daily.
Jindal Steel will use the technology of
In each project, annual production is estimated at four million tonnes based on the daily production of 80,000 barrels.
The process involves the gassification of coal to produce synthetic gas, which is then converted to crude through different technologies.
Given the quality of Indian coal, crude from this process will cost $55-60 a barrel, about 50 per cent more than the current price of $40 a barrel.
However, the project will take at least six years to take off, and crude prices are likely to rule higher than the current levels.
“When a project of this magnitude is being conceived for 25-30 years, one does not only look at current economics,” a JSPL official said.
The process also involves the washing of coal, and the waste thus produced will be used to produce power. JSPL said the project would help it generate 1,350MW of power.
The crude oil produced from coal is expected to be low on sulphur. The bulk of the fuel will be diesel, which is consumed 5 times more in
JSPL’s proposed unit will be located at Kishore Nagar in Angul district of Orissa. The site has been selected keeping in mind the availability of water and rail and road connectivity.
Both the Tatas and JSPL have a presence in Orissa where land acquisition for industrial projects had met with stiff resistance from the locals.
JSPL is also building a 6mt steel plant at Angul. Tata Steel, too, plans to set up a unit in Orissa. JSPL said it had already placed the order for two coal gassifier units for the upcoming steel plants at Angul and in Chattisgarh.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090304/jsp/business/story_10622428.jsp
HDK govt’s dealings come under HC scanner
First Published :
While hearing a batch of petitions, division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice K L Manjunath had also directed the government to produce records of present government on granting of mining lease and procedures that were adopted while granting the lease.
“The previous government has sanctioned mining lease to a company (Kabini Minerals), which did not have an industrial unit. Why did the then government adopt pick and choose method while granting mining lease without considering other 45 applicants? How many grants have been made to those who do not have industrial units?,” the bench directed to submit aforesaid information from the government.
The bench directed the Additional Solicitor General to submit a report on environmental and forest rules while granting mining lease.
In a separate public interest litigation seeking direction to state government not to issue mining lease, the same bench has issued notice to the state and centre. The petitioner Sathyamurthy, a resident of
The petitioner contended that iron ore is being exported for Rs 5,000 per tonne as against the royalty of Rs 15 to 27 paid to the state government.
“The National Mineral Policy of 2008 has set a target of 200 million tonnes of steel production by 2020. In order to achieve the target the domestic industries would require a minimum of 290 million tonnes of iron ore. Unless the large scale of export is being regulated the target cannot be achieved,” Sathyamurthy “The state has a possible amount of 1,150 million tones of iron ore resources.
Out of this 400 million tonnes of iron ore has been identified and granted for mining. The total profit earned by exporting iron ore of 120 million tonnes in 2007- 08 was around 60,000 crore,” the petitioner explained.
Law university: HC issues notice to govt
The High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the state government on petitions seeking direction to shift the
Justice N Kumar, issued notice to the state while hearing petitions filed by principals of 14 law colleges in
The petitioners have contended that in all states where law universities are established, they have been situated in the respective capital cities, which has helped them to mobilise the resources and have interaction with the government authorities and judiciary.
It would be most beneficial to have the headquarters of the law university in
But as per Karnataka State Law University Ordinance, 2008, issued on
Scribe seeks compensation
B V Seetharam, Mangalorebased journalist, has filed a petition in the High Court seeking compensation from the government for his illegal detention.
Justice N Kumar, issued notice to the government and directed it to file objections against the writ petition.
India
Speaking at the end of the global mining meet by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) here Tuesday,
Highlighting how the mining sector will become a key component of the Indian growth story, the diplomat said this sector currently accounts for 2.6 percent of the country’s GDP, and that it was set for a big growth.
With its liberalisation under the new mining policy, Chauhan said, this sector will become an important component of the nation’s economy, offering huge opportunities for Canadian companies.
The deputy high commissioner said the new mining policy introduced last year allowed 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining sector.
This step opens up “possibilities of collaboration from private partnership (PPI) to joint venture to tie-ups” for
“
The diplomat told Canadian mining companies that despite the global meltdown,
Though India-Canada trade has grown 25 percent annually to reach $4.5 billion in 2008, it remained “below the potential that exists between our two countries”, Chauhan said.
Additional secretary Vijay Kumar, who led the 21-member Indian mining delegation to the global gathering, said interactions with Canadian and other global mining companies were “fruitful”.
“We showcased
Maintaining that the landmark legislation will change the Indian mining sector, Kumar said: “Though we have three to four major Canadian companies operating in
Hemant Shah, chairman of the mining committee of the Canada-India Business Council (C-IBC), said the India-Canada partnership in mining will make for a “perfect marriage”.
“Mining is
Mining – International
112 mining licences granted on Bushman land since evictions
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| Bushmen women. |
Since the Bushmen were forced off their land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in 2002, the
It is just over six years since the government evicted more than 600 Bushmen from the reserve, although it has always denied any connection between mining and the evictions.
The Bushmen won the right to return to their land inside the reserve in a landmark ruling at Botswana’s High Court in 2006, where the judges recognized that the evictions had been ‘unlawful’ and ‘unconstitutional’. But the
Survival has always maintained that the Bushmen were evicted to open up the reserve for mining. It led a highly successful campaign against De Beers until the company sold its CKGR mining concession for $34 million to Gem Diamonds which has been pushing ahead with mining plans in the Bushman community of Gope.
Survival is campaigning against both Gem Diamonds and Graff Diamonds, which has a 9% stake in Gem. It has written to Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Hurley and Naomi Campbell, who all appear on Graff’s website, asking them to stop wearing Graff diamonds until the Bushmen are able to return home freely, to use the water on their land and to hunt.
Survival’s Director, Stephen Corry, said today ‘It’s no coincidence that the Botswana government has issued more than a hundred exploration licenses inside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve since they kicked the Bushmen out, or that they’re now doing all they can to keep the Bushmen off their land. The Bushmen have a right to be consulted about mining in the reserve under international law, but how can they have any meaningful discussions about the use of their land while the government is stopping them from living on it?’
http://www.survival-international.org/news/4286
Mining explorer expects Queensland
Wednesday,
A
Southern Uranium has identified major deposits at three sites, including Cloncurry in the far west and Pandanus in
Managing director John Anderson says no matter what's happening politically, he expects the outlook for uranium mining to change.
"We believe our exploration and development cycle is a lot longer and a lot more robust than the political cycle,' he says.
"Because it is a mining state, and it will be sensible for them to allow uranium to be be produced."
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200903/s2507306.htm
Mineral rights showdown at Badlands ranch
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Montana man who wants to mine gravel on the Badlands ranch where Theodore Roosevelt once ran his cattle is comparing his dispute with the U.S. Forest Service to an Old West stare-down. He says he won't blink.
"If they want me out of the picture, pay me $2.5 million and I'll go back to
Lothspeich, 50, of Miles City, Mont., claims he owns half the mineral and gravel rights beneath the 5,200-acre ranch in western
The Forest Service has not acted on Lothspeich's request to mine the gravel because his application is not complete and lacks proper documentation, said Forest Service district supervisor Ron Jablonski.
"He has not provided to us what we need," Jablonski said. "The reality is, we're still trying to figure out who actually owns" the mineral rights.
The Forest Service purchased the ranch, next to Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch site, from brothers Kenneth, Allan and Dennis Eberts and their families in 2007. It cost $5.3 million, with $4.8 million coming from the federal government and $500,000 from conservation groups. The purchase did not include mineral rights.
The Ebertses had bought the ranch and half the mineral rights from the Connell family in 1993 for $800,000. Lothspeich, who grew up near the ranch before moving to
Byron Connell, of
"Nobody did their homework on this," Connell said. "Now, everybody is ducking and diving at the Forest Service and trying to save face."
Jablonski concedes that the agency never made a formal offer for the mineral rights to the Ebertses or the Connells.
"We thought at the time that the land was a good purchase for taxpayers," Jablonski said. "We had no idea that something like this would come up. We knew the potential was there, but we were willing to take the risk."
The Forest Service is attempting to work with Lothspeich, "but we are not interested in buying Mr. Lothspeich out," Jablonski said.
Lothspeich said the government has been stalling for nearly a year and is fighting his plan with red tape. He wants to begin mining gravel this summer.
"They're jacking me around and backpedaling because they know I got them over a barrel," said Lothspeich, who owns a motorcycle, snowmobile and ATV dealership in
Wayde Schafer, a North Dakota spokesman for the Sierra Club, said Lothspeich approached his group about buying the subsurface rights to the ranch.
"He basically said he'd dig it up unless we gave him money," Schafer said. "He thought for sure we'd just jump at the chance to pay him $2.5 million, but I told him, 'That's not what we do and good luck.'"
Lothspeich said he is open to selling the subsurface rights, which include "coal, scoria, uranium, sand, gravel, the whole works," to anyone who gives him $2.5 million.
"If those tree-huggers want to write me a check, that's OK, too," he said.
Connell, whose family owned the ranch for nearly 50 years before selling it in the early 1990s, said gravel had been mined at the ranch from about 1917 through the 1980s. He said many of the roads in
Roosevelt, who was president from 1901 to 1909, set aside millions of acres for national forests and wildlife refuges during his administration. The ranch is part of an area now hailed as "the cradle of conservation" by the Forest Service, Park Service and conservation groups.
The Forest Service's acquisition of the historic ranch has been fraught with problems since the deal was inked. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., accused the agency of skirting the law when it announced plans last year to manage the ranch as a forage reserve without traditional grazing.
Lothspeich's battle with the agency doesn't surprise Dorgan.
"If he has a legitimate claim, it would be an unbelievable and pretty spectacular failure on behalf of the Forest Service not to have addressed that issue," Dorgan said. "They're going to have a lot of egg on their face, if they didn't deal with the mineral rights."
Lothspeich said tourists coming to the area will be disappointed if he doesn't get his asking price.
"These people who think they'll come out there and see the so-called 'cradle of conservation' won't see anything except a bunch of gravel pits," Lothspeich said.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9CNRjvf05gYCCs0OApCTMO-0EqwD96MFPQG0
The year of the ‘no deal’ in mining sector says PricewaterhouseCoopers report
Submitted by editor on
Following two years of record M&A activity, 2008 has turned out to be a year of extremes, according to Mining Deals* 2008, the annual review by PricewaterhouseCoopers of global mining sector M&A activity. The earlier part of the year followed the previous year’s buoyant pattern before plunging in a sudden dizzying vortex in the final months.
As well as being a year of very high deal activity, 2008 was also the year of what might have been. The potentially sector transforming bid by BHP Billiton grabbed the headlines but there were many other announced transactions that did not complete.
The most significant surge in deal activity came in
A large increase was also seen in deals involving Chinese buyers with the value of deals rising fourfold from US$ 6.7bn in 2007 to US$ 25.5bn in 2008. This trend is continuing and, in fact, increasing in 2009 with deals announced in February by Chinalco (a $19.5 billion transaction with Rio Tinto), China Minmetals (a $2.5 billion bid for Oz Minerals) and Hunan Valin ($0.9 billion investment in Fortescue).
Kameswara Rao, PricewaterhouseCoopers’ India Leader for Energy, Utilities & Mining, comments:
“We see a unique environment that will reshape much of the sector’s ownership. The rapid decline in commodity and equity prices, combined with the financing constraints with the global credit crisis, has left the sector polarised between the strong and the weak.”
“Indian mining and user industries have an unprecedented window of opportunity to gain access to targets that might be denied to them in normal circumstances. The raw material supply constraints are likely to persist in the Indian market, and as Indian mining operators are more closely integrated with end-use, the current lower valuations help then secure cheaper supplies for future. This may be just what the local brave hearts are looking for.”
Mining Deals* 2008 highlights how the industry experienced a ‘violent downward tailspin’ in the space of a few months, turning much of the deal-making in the sector upside down:
§ Deal volumes plummeted 61% in the fourth quarter of 2008 towards levels last seen in 2005.
§ Many companies that had spent the earlier part of the year doing deals or resisting unwelcome overtures finished the year looking at overstretched balance sheets, preparing for write downs, and welcoming back potential buyers with open arms.
With regard to developments in the Indian market, Kameswara Rao said:
“We expect the constraints and contrasts in the market will create their own impetus for deal activity. Companies with required resources see in the current environment a buying opportunity although many may be content to bide their time for the right conditions to emerge. The state owned entities have the balance sheet strength but must work on their assessment and decision-making processes.”
“The boom period has attracted a number of small to mid-cap mining companies for whom access to equity and debt has dried up. Many are at an entry or development stage and now risk survival. This is a good opportunity for the Government to further liberalise the domestic mining industry to grow it, attract investment, and reduce costs for user industries such as in metals and energy.”
http://www.webnewswire.com/node/449304
4 county mine sites reclaimed
State DEP projects benefit abandoned mining sites in the area and across the state.
By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Four
“We are reclaiming more than just abandoned mine lands – we are reclaiming entire communities that have struggled for years to overcome the scars of our industrial past,” acting DEP Secretary John Hanger said. “The projects completed in 2008 pumped $32 million into Pennsylvania’s economy and provided millions more in indirect benefits by returning former wastelands to productive use, eliminating significant safety hazards, and restoring life to long-dead streams.”
A closer look at the four local projects:
• Swoyersville, within the
•
•
•
http://www.timesleader.com/news/4_county_mine_sites_reclaimed_03-04-2009.html
-Lihir Gold to raise $325 mln to fund mine expansion
(Adds CEO quotes, details)
By Denny Thomas
SYDNEY, March 4 (Reuters) - Australian-listed gold miner Lihir Gold Ltd (LGL.AX) will raise $325 million by selling new shares to fund expansion at its Lihir mine in Papua New Guinea to benefit from strong bullion prices, it said on Wednesday.
Lihir Chief Executive Arthur Hood said work on the mine was being accelerated, in part because turmoil in commodities markets had increased the availability of mine construction equipment.
"The recent downturn in global commodity markets has significantly reduced demand for mining industry equipment... which has led to more competitive pricing," Hood told reporters.
The company last year produced 882,000 ounces of gold from its mines in
"I would see us running at about one to 1.2 million ounces of production over the next two to three years, Hood said.
Unlike prices for industrial metals such as copper and nickel, which have dropped dramatically since last year's collapse in commodities demand, gold
"The medium-term trend for gold is very strong," Hood said.
Lihir shares were placed on trading halt earlier on Wednesday to undertake the placement. They ended Tuesday trade at A$3.31.
A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters the new shares were being offered at a floor price of A$3.00 each, a 9.4 percent discount of its last traded price. The final price will be determined in the bookbuild process.
The accelerated expansion of its main mine will raise Lihir's 2009 capital expenditure to $200 million, with an additional $350 million in spending planned for next year.
"We have a major growth profile at Lihir alone but
'India-Aus ties set upward despite no deal on uranium supply'
The top envoy said
However,
The ruling Labour Party has an "ideological" stand on the NPT and uranium and in fact sections of the party are even opposed to even uranium mining, she said, adding that it is unlikely that
Senior Australian Foreign Ministry officials in their briefings played down the arguments that
“Our concerns relates to uranium and not related to nuclear technology,” one Australian official said, adding that Beijing was being supplied with uranium as it is an NPT signatory, which was a key requirement for the Labour party’s policy.
Bureau Report
http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2009-03-04/512263news.html
Other News – India
Project to be taken up for biodiversity conservation
Staff Reporter
| Aim is to provide alternative livelihood to people |
The project is being taken up with UNDP help
Vocational training for youth planned
BERHAMPUR: A project is being taken up by the Forest Department to conserve biodiversity and for peaceful coexistence of humans and crocodiles in the Ghodahada reservoir of Ganjam district.
The project basically aims at providing alternative livelihood and basic amenities to the people who live near the reservoir. Since more than three decades, families living near the reservoir on the border of Ganjam and Gajapati districts have been peacefully coexisting with crocodiles.
According to the Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), A.K. Jena, several of these families are proposed to be shifted along with the formation of a medium irrigation project. But these families did not prefer to get shifted. They lived near the reservoir making fishing their source of livelihood. There is also a village Mahulapada near the reservoir, which is approachable only by boats.
Crocodiles increased their number in the reservoir. No crocodile has till date injured any human or domestic animal. The reptiles seem to be satisfied with the fish population in the reservoir. This reservoir is used for pisciculture by a cooperative of around 70 fishermen families of the area. The new project is being taken up with the help of UNDP to keep this relation between humans and animals intact. The population of humans as well as crocodiles is on the rise in the reservoir area. The first effort will be to increase productivity of pisciculture in the reservoir. Under it, the cooperative of fishermen will be provided better boats, nets and training for pisciculture. A rearing pond will be built up near the reservoir to grow the fish seed to slight bigger size before they are released in the reservoir as small fish seed are usually eaten up by the crocodiles.
Irrigation channel
“We are also planning to provide an irrigation channel near Balighai village to promote agriculture in the area so that people do not get over dependant on pisciculture,” says Mr. Jena. Poultry farms will be set up at Buruband and Siripur villages. There will be efforts to provide vocational training to the youth of the area. To provide better life toilet and drinking water facility will be provided to all the 380 households living on the banks of the reservoir. Traditionally these fishermen are also producers and sellers of puffed rice and other traditional snacks. “We are thinking of setting up a mechanized unit for producing puffed rice in the area,” says Mr. Jena.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/04/stories/2009030452130300.htm
APIIC disputes findings of study on SEZs
Special Correspondent
It was impressive as it was achieved within five to six months after the issue of the notification, an APIIC press release said. Though the SEZ Act had come into force in February 2006, most of them were notified in 2007 and 2008. Physical activities could be initiated only after issue of notification and even after it was issued, clearances had to be obtained from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Pollution Control Board and Inspector of Factories.
The projected figure of employment of 25 lakh pertained to a stage when all units in all approved 100 SEZs became fully operational at least in five to seven years time. It was unrealistic and unfair to expect achievement of this full potential in five to seven months. As for the land utilised for SEZ, there is no inconsistency as it was “scrupulously vetted” not only by the Commerce Ministry of Central government but also the Law Ministry.
There could be confusion in the study as area outside SEZ or domestic tariff area could have been included. The land details of 33,297 acres for 100 approved SEZs was as per Revenue records. The finding that all SEZs are located close to metros, towns and ports was not true as they were spread across the State in backward areas like Anantapur,
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/04/stories/2009030460031000.htm
Central panel slams state for tribals’ plight
Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay Posted:
Kolkata: It has pointed out growing incidents of girl child trafficking and poor implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Jalpaiguri
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has slammed the West Bengal Government for the plight of tribals in north
In its suggestion to 14 departments of the state government, the commission urged them to take urgent steps to improve the condition of tribals and has pointed out growing incidents of girl child trafficking and poor implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the area.
This comes after the chairperson of the commission, Urmilla Singh, visited Jalpaiguri district between February 12 and February 17, along her deputy Maurice Kujur to take stock of the condition of tribals. They had also visited the closed tea gardens in the area and interacted with unemployed workers.
Pointing to the rising incidents of girl child trafficking in the area, the commission wrote: “We have received reports of rampant girl child trafficking and it is a serious matter. Urgent steps should be taken to curb it.”
The commission has highlighted the poor implementation of NREGS and stated; “This fiscal year only 23 days of work were given to the tribals on the NREGA scheme which is a dismal scene. The state government must try to create more days of work on this scheme.”
Besides this, the report stated that tribals were being exploited by ration dealers. “It has been noticed that ration cards of tribals are lying with ration dealers and it is not at all desirable,” the report said.
Asking the state excise department to remove illicit liquor shops in the area, the commission stated: “Liquor ruins the life of tribals and it is a curse for them. Why should so many illicit liquor shops be allowed there. This is most unfortunate.”
The commision also urged the state government to allot land of closed tea gardens to tribals, particularly those who worked there.
Minister for Backward Classes Department Jogesh Burman, who met the chairperson of the commission, said laws need to be amended to give the land of the closed tea gardens to the tribals.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/central-panel-slams-state-for-tribals-plight/430556/
Public hearing on Dibang hydropower project this month
Hydropower projects take a significant toll on environment and people, and result in displacement
Utpal Bhaskar
The foundation stone for the project, to be built by state-run NHPC Ltd, was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in January 2008. But the public hearing, required by law before an environmental impact assessment report is prepared, couldn’t be held due to local disturbances.
“The public hearing for the Dibang project will be held in the last week of March,” said S.K. Garg, chairman and managing director, NHPC.
He said the project, which is at the centre of
Hydropower projects take a significant toll on local environment and people, and result in displacement. After an environmental clearance is granted, final clearances are awarded by the Central Electricity Authority, the apex power sector planning body, along with the Public Investment Board, which approves investments by public sector firms.
The hearing has been postponed three times. At a hearing on
Mint had reported on 1 February and
“R&R (rehabilitation and resettlement) is a vexing issue for a majority of big hydel projects in the country. R&R is a question of implementation and some sensitivity on the part of the government can resolve this,” said K. Ramanathan, distinguished fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute. “If we do something in a proactive manner initially, the later problems can be avoided.”
“The total project cost for the project will be around Rs16,000-17,000 crore, the investment for which will be made through internal accruals, debt funding and an initial public offering. The debt to equity ratio for the project will be 70:30,” Garg said.
Officials of the Arunachal Pradesh government couldn’t be contacted. The state has the highest potential for hydropower in
http://www.livemint.com/2009/03/03234651/Public-hearing-on-Dibang-hydro.html
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