20/03/09

Mining – India 1
1. State to submit satellite imagery of mining areas 1
2. Eco-tourism, answer to wanton mining 2
3. ‘Court not to examine legality of mining ban’ 3
4. India mulls $694.28 million SPV for overseas coal exploration 4
5. Huge quantity of sand seized, four held 5
Mining – International 5
6. Minmetals to acquire two mining firms 6
7. Mine deaths 'should embarrass BHP' 6
8. ArcelorMittal to idle operations at two Russian coal mines 7
9. Rio Tinto sells more mining assets. 8
10. Climate change scientist calls for end to use of coal 9
11. Astron given approval for sand mine 11
Other News – India 11
12. Govt mulls nat'l policy to eliminate child labour 11
13. Brazil's top court backs indigenous rights 13
14. Suriname project delivers clean water to 10,000 14

Mining – India

State to submit satellite imagery of mining areas
Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to place before it satellite imagery of mining areas in Bellary and any other material to prove that mining firms had encroached on forest land.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran and Justice V.G. Sabhahit orally passed the order when it was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the decision of the government not to permit mining in certain areas in Bellary. Some of the mining firms had moved the court saying that first information reports (FIR) were launched against them after the Lokayukta gave a report that they had encroached on forest land. They wanted the FIRs to be quashed. They also questioned the satellite imagery pictures.
The Bench said it could not disregard electronic evidence and satellite imagery is now accepted in a variety of fields. It asked the Advocate-General to place other material it had in coming to the conclusion that there was encroachment. The Advocate-General said he would collect all the data and other material and place it before the court.
Dismissed
A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran, and Justice V.G. Sabhahit dismissed a petition by the Airports Authority of Indian Employees’ Union seeking an investigation into the book of accounts of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/20/stories/2009032060730500.htm


Eco-tourism, answer to wanton mining


Express News Service
First Published : 19 Mar 2009 04:59:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 19 Mar 2009 02:49:07 PM IST
ROURKELA: Eco-tourism potential of Sundargarh district needs to be tapped to neutralise the environmental degradation caused by rampant industrial and mining activities in the region, environmentalists opined.
Bio-rich reserve of Khandadhar waterfalls, which flows downstream to feed nearly nine gram panchayats, is among the several potential eco-tourism destinations.
The district is also thickly forested with numerous hill ranges and streams dotting the region. Besides, there are equally attractive places at Sundargarh, Rourkela, Junagarh, Vedavyas, Uhsakothi, Mandira, Khandadhar, Deodaraha, Ghogar, Darjeeng, Miriglotah and Chhatri Hill which have great potential for historical, religious, sports, education and water tourism.
A study by Nilakantha Panigrahi Centre for East-West Cultural and Economic Studies highlighted the eco-tourism potential in tribal regions of Orissa, including Sundargarh.
The study insists attaching appropriate importance to the local tourism sector from ecological and cultural perspectives.
Eco-tourism, as environmentalists view, would meaningfully shield the indigenous people and cultures from external threats, recognise their traditional rights over land, water and forest and at the same time ensure direct economic gain for the local tribals.
However, nearly four dozen sponge iron plants scattered in all directions, rampant mining and wanton deforestation by forest mafias are doing irreparable damage to the eco-tourism potential of the region, greens rued.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Eco-tourism,+answer+to+wanton+mining&artid=044tL0Q5Xg4=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=


‘Court not to examine legality of mining ban’
Tannu Sharma
Posted: Mar 20, 2009 at 0025 hrs IST

New Delhi The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared reluctant in passing orders that could effect a ban on mining in the eco-fragile Aravalli zone in Faridabad and Gurgaon. It observed: “Whatever statutory action has to be taken is to be by the state or the Centre. The court has nothing to do with it.”
In response to amicus curiae Ranjeet Kumar’s submissions, the three-member special bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan remarked: “You are on a sticky wicket as the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee now have the concurrence of the state government. It’s only the follow-up action which has to be taken by you (state administration).”
The remarks came even as both the amicus and another advocate A D N Rao insisted the court examine the recommendations of the court-appointed environment panel, the Central Empowered Committee, and pass directions towards banning mining in the area.
The ‘green’ bench, also comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia, however, gave strong indications that the responsibility to deal with the violators of ban on mining lay with the state or the central government. “We are not going to suggest the modalities but it’s for the authorities concerned to take action, whatever it deems fit,” remarked Justice Pasayat.
Justice Kapadia added: “The court is not examining whether the ban, if to be imposed, is legal. Ultimately, it’s your recommendation which is based on the fact that there has been a complete devastation of the environment.”
“...if devastation has been a reality, to which even the state has agreed, there’s no question of the court examining it,” reiterated the bench.
Citing the provisions of the Environment Protection Act and the extensive damages caused to the ecology, Rao contended: “We do not want it to be left at the discretion of anybody or the whims or fancies of any authority. If nobody has checked from 2004 to 2009, how can it be controlled now? ...it is for this court to come to the aid of the environment and the people at large.”
The court replied: “We are not leaving it to the state and are not even vacating our earlier order. But since the stage has not come when the Centre or the state has taken some decision or imposed a total ban, there’s no occasion for this court to examine it.”
The hearing will resume on Friday.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/court-not-to-examine-legality-of-mining-ban/436745/

India mulls $694.28 million SPV for overseas coal exploration
Thursday, Mar 19, 2009
PTI reported that India government is contemplating launching a special purpose vehicle, International Coal Venture with an initial investment of INR 3,500 crore ($694.28 million) for exploring coal in foreign countries.
Mr PK Rastogi union Steel secretary said the government of India, in alliance with NMDC, RINL, Coal India and SAIL is negotiating with companies in the US, Canada, Russia, Australia and Mozambique for investing in coal.
However, nothing concrete has been emerged. He said the investment may go up to INR 10,000 crore ($1.984 billion), depending upon the contracts.
Mr Rastogi at a seminar on Economic Meltdown and Time Ahead, organized by National Mineral Development Corporation advocated a ban on iron ore export as the country itself needs it very badly. He said the country would come out of the current economic distress soon as the demand to supply ratio is not alarming as compared to other countries. The 1 day seminar is about the effects of the economic meltdown on steel, mining, engineering, construction, infrastructure, etc.
http://www.yourindustrynews.com/india+mulls+$694.28+million+spv+for+overseas+coal+exploration_27117.html


Huge quantity of sand seized, four held


The seized sand and lorry at Thottakonam near Pandalam on Thursday.
Express News Service
First Published : 20 Mar 2009 08:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 20 Mar 2009 12:55:55 PM IST
PATHANAMTHITTA: In a major drive against indiscriminate sand mining by sand mafia, Pandalam police on Thursday seized 15 lorry-loads of sand and arrested four persons in this connection.
The police team headed by CI Zakharia Mathew and SI Ajaykumar seized the huge quantity of sand mined from Achenkovil river at the unauthorised kadavus at Ambilameli and Pulimuttu in Thottatkonam of Pandalam panchayat.
The police team, which began the operations at 5 a.m. and extended it up to 9 a.m., took into custody one lorry and arrested John, 54, of Ayranikuzhi in this connection.
However, lorry cleaner Sunil fled from the scene after seeing the police.
Three sand-mining workers, Sabu, 28, Thankappan, 53, and Appukuttan, 50, all belonging to Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, were also arrested by the police.
The police said that the arrested mining workers were staying in a lodge for the unlawful operation and used to engage in unauthorised mining thrice a day for the ``big money.’’ The police also registered a case against A R Harikumar of Thottakonam, for whom the 15 lorry-loads of sand was stored, police said.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Huge+quantity+of+sand+seized,+four+held&artid=3iCmNx/xPrg=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=&SEO=

Mining – International

Minmetals to acquire two mining firms
By Tong Hao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-03-20 16:41
China Minmetals Corp, the country's largest metal trader, is acquiring another two State-owned enterprises directly controlled by the central government, 21st Century Business Herald reported.
The acquisition targets are Changsha Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CRIMM) and Luzhong Metallurgy & Mining Group (LMMG).
The newspaper said the acquisition is waiting for approval form the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). If everything goes smoothly, it is expected to be completed by the end of June.
According to Li Rongrong, director of SASAC, the number of State-owned enterprises directly controlled by the central government will be reduced to 80-100 in 2010.
CRIMM and LMMG rank 142 and 141 respectively among the 143 State-owned enterprises directly controlled by the central government.
CRIMM is the largest electrolytic manganese producer in China with total assets of 1.7 billion yuan by the end of 2008, while LMMG is the largest iron ore supplier in Shandong province.
In 2008, revenue of China Minmetals Corp increased by 15.9 percent to 180.9 billion yuan, realizing a net profit of 7.1 billion yuan.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2009-03/20/content_7601383.htm

Mine deaths 'should embarrass BHP'
March 20, 2009
THE West Australian Government says it hopes BHP Billiton is "embarrassed" by the number of deaths at its mines in Western Australia this financial year.
Mines Minister Norman Moore has met with BHP executives after the fifth fatality at the miner's iron ore operations in this financial year.
A 45-year-old contractor, an employee of engineering group John Holland, died at the company's Newman iron ore hub on Thursday.
The fatality follows the deaths of workers at the Mt Newman railway, at BHP's Yandi mine and the company's Nelson Point Operations at Port Hedland.
"I think that this is an unacceptable situation,'' Mr Moore said after today's meeting.
"If they're embarrassed about that then so much the better. It might actually help overcome the problem that seems to exist.''
Mr Moore said that while WA's record of death in mines was good by international comparisons, there had been a recent spike.
"Their (BHP) record is not satisfactory, it's totally unacceptable,'' he said.
"One fatality is too many. Nine in the last five years is grossly unacceptable.''
The minister said he didn't know what had caused the spate of deaths, but it needed to be addressed.
"The question was asked yesterday in the (Upper) House of the number of fatalities on BHP sites compared to the number of fatalities on Rio Tinto sites. There are nine in the last five years on BHP sites and none on Rio sites,'' Mr Moore said.
"Now that says something in my view about the practices of BHP ... and I want to know what they're going to do about it.''
Opposition mines spokesman John Ford has called for an independent review of safety across the mining and construction industries.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25217042-12377,00.html

ArcelorMittal to idle operations at two Russian coal mines
19 Mar 2009, 1919 hrs IST, PTI

LONDON: ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer, is considering halting operations at two of its three Russian coal mines bought last
year from competitor OAO Severstal until market conditions improve.

This, however, would be done if the company's proposed comprehensive programme of cost saving and restructuring of the workforce at Anzherskaya and Pervomayskaya mines does not result in sustainable operations of the mines, ArcelorMittal spokesperson said in an emailed company statement.

"...if the cost reduction programme does not result in sustainable operation of the mines, the process of temporary dry conservation of Anzherskaya and Pervomayskaya mines would be initiated until market conditions improve," the L N Mittal-led company said.

In Kuzbass territory of Russia, ArcelorMittal owns three mines -- Berezovskaya, Pervomayskaya and Anzherskaya -- besides the Severnaya washery. It had acquired the mines and associated assets for USD 720 million last year. At present, there are 5,830 employees working in these enterprises.

Facing the heat of the global economic slowdown that has led to challenging and unpredictable market conditions, the steel major said it would go for restructuring of the workforce at its Russian mines, which produced 2.7 million tonnes of coal and 1.3 million tonnes of coal concentrate in 2008.

As part of the restructuring, the company would introduce voluntary retirement programme and redeploy key officials from Pervomayskaya and Anzherskaya mines to Berezovskaya mines.

The steel major said the restructuring would be in line with the Russian Federation's labour laws and collective labour agreements.

Even as the company is planning to temporarily idle Anzherskaya and Pervomayskaya mines, it said the Berezovskaya mines will continue normal operations and contracts for the supply of new equipment will be implemented.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International-Business/ArcelorMittal-to-idle-operations-at-two-Russian-coal-mines/articleshow/4288231.cms


Rio Tinto sells more mining assets.

Rio Tinto Limited (RIO) said it had signed a definitive agreement to sell its undeveloped South American potash assets and an iron ore mine. The company said the funds would be used to pay down debt.

The projects compromised the Potasio Rio Colorado ("PRC") potash project in Argentina, and its Corumba iron ore mine in Brazil. The company said they were expected fetch US$1.6 billion.

Rio Tinto CFO, Guy Elliot said this was a positive response to the company's goal of reducing debt in 2009.

"This is a very positive step towards meeting our commitment to reduce debt by US$10 billion in 2009," he said.

This is the second asset sale in recent days for Rio Tinto after it sold its interest in the Ningxia aluminum smelter in China for US$125 million.

The target of US$10 billion to be paid down in 2009 is in addition to $3 billion in asset sales throughout 2008.

These included the Greens Creek mine in Alaska for US$750 million, its interest in the Cortez operation in Nevada for US$1.695 billion and the Kintyre uranium project in Western Australia for US$495 million.

The potash transaction, comprising PRC and the Regina exploration asset in Canada, is expected to be settled in February, the company said.

http://www.egoli.com.au/news/post/Rio-Tinto-sells-more-mining-assets.aspx


Climate change scientist calls for end to use of coal
Mar 20 2009 by Darren Devine, Western Mail
THE use of coal must be abandoned within 20 years to prevent environmental catastrophe, a leading scientist has warned.
The warning over the fossil fuel was issued yesterday by Nasa scientist James Hansen before a protest over climate change.
But leading figures in Wales’ rejuvenated coal industry last night dismissed the claim.
Dr Hansen said there must be a moratorium on new plants that do not capture and store coal’s carbon emissions, and action to phase out the use of the fossil fuel over the next two decades.
But senior figures within the Welsh coal industry said the scientist’s doom-laden prophecy was misguided fantasy.
The scientist yesterday joined a day of action in Coventry by Christian Aid, Cafod, the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and the World Development Movement.
The campaigners highlighted the plight of millions of poor people in developing countries who are already suffering from the effects of climate change, such as drought and floods.
But former Tower Colliery boss Tyrone O’Sullivan said only coal, and not environmental scaremongering, can save the planet.
And Bleddyn Hancock, Welsh general secretary of colliery officials’ union Nacods, called the idea of a coal-less economy “fantasy”.
Adrian Helmore, business development manager with South Wales mining firm Celtic Energy, said over the medium-term there is no feasible alternative to coal.
Mr O’Sullivan, from Swansea, said: “Unless they start talking about not stopping coal burning, but figuring out how we can burn it cleanly, all they’re doing is blowing hot air.”
The 63-year-old, who led a workers’ buyout of the now closed Tower Colliery, added: “You can’t stop burning coal because most of the hospitals in the world would close, you’d have no industrial base and no income being earned anywhere in the world.
“The one hope the world has got is that coal will save them. The only hope they’ve got is that coal can be cleanly collected with the carbon captured and stored underground.”
Welsh coal has undergone a renaissance in recent years with up to 250 jobs created at the head of the Neath Valley as Unity Power prepares to open the first underground mine in more than three decades.
At a neighbouring Neath pit Energy Build Holdings is ready to access the biggest coal reserve in Europe.
But Dr Hansen said reserves of readily available oil and gas, which people would continue to use, were already enough to push the planet into the “dangerous zone” of emissions.
The scientist, head of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said: “The only way we can prevent disaster for our children and grandchildren is to cut off the biggest source, coal.
“It’s the dirtiest fuel and the only way to solve the problem is if we agreed to only use that source if you captured the CO2 and sequestered it.”
Mr Hancock says the answer lies in developing carbon capture technology and burning coal more efficiently.
He said nations like China and India have vast reserves of coal and are unlikely to abandon a fuel that promises to power their economic ambitions.
He said: “Even if he (Dr Hansen) is right it’s not going to happen.
“The world will not just continue, but will increase the level of coal-burning electricity generation.”
The protest also included a visit to the headquarters of power company e.on, which is hoping to build the new coal-powered station at Kingsnorth.
Campaigners say giving the go-ahead to the new plant before technology to capture the carbon dioxide emissions is developed would create annual emissions nine times the total produced by Rwanda.
While insisting coal use was inevitable in the medium-term Mr Helmore acknowledged the need to develop carbon capture technology to minimise the environmental impact.
The businessman, whose firm operates three South Wales mines employing 300 workers, said: “Coal is an essential energy source in the medium-term.
“Everybody is looking for ways to burn it cleanly and capture the carbon, but it’s a fact that during the winter up to 50% of our energy requirements are supplied by coal in the UK.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/03/20/climate-change-scientist-calls-for-end-to-use-of-coal-91466-23188894/

Astron given approval for sand mine
Astron Limited (ATR) said it had received approval for its wholly-owned subsidiary Donald Mineral Sands Pty Limited ("DMS") to mine at the its mineral sands deposit in western Victoria. The company said it expected to export up to 500,000 tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate per year to China.

Astron development manager Emma Vogel said the Commonwealth government approval gives DMS the green light to take the next major step in the project.

"The project is one of the largest undeveloped zircon projects in the world and with Astron's advanced capabilities will see greater success than previous failed attempts to exploit these resources," Ms Vogel said.
"The project is also expected to create 75 direct and 255 indirect jobs for the Wimmera community."

The company said an environmental effects statement ("EES") was lodged in December 2007, with government approval contingent on threatened listed species and communities were not being affected by the mining activities.
At the close of trade Tuesday, Astron was unchanged at $1.55.
http://www.egoli.com.au/news/post/Astron-given-approval-for-sand-mine.aspx

Other News – India

Govt mulls nat'l policy to eliminate child labour
Staff Correspondent
The government is actively considering formulation of the National Child Labour Policy to eliminate child labour -- especially hazardous labour -- from the country, State Minister for Labour and Employment Monnujan Sufian said yesterday.
The government has taken up a five-year project to eliminate child labour, she said at a national seminar on Child Labour and Education at a city hotel.
"We have provided education along with vocational training to around 10,000 poor children involved in hazardous labour. A process is underway to train a further 30,000 children," Monnujan said.
She said child labour was not only a rights issue but also a development one.
The United Nation's childrens fund Unicef, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Unesco jointly organised the seminar yesterday following a four-day Capacity Building Training attended by representatives from different ministries, employers, workers and members of the civil society.
Monnujan said under the non-formal education programme, the government has set up schools in different districts for working children. Terming child labour a socio-economic problem in the country, the minister also stressed the need for poverty reduction to fight the problem.
Director of ILO Country Office Panudda Boonpala said basic education and training for jobs in the labour market is extremely important and all sectors have to work together in this regard.
"The education system has to include the needs of marginalised children and a comprehensive holistic education policy is needed," said Carel de Rooy, country representative of Unicef.
Among others, Director and Country Representative of Unesco Malama Meleisea, Head of the Child Labour Unit and Joint Secretary (labour) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment Azizur Rahman also spoke at the seminar.
During the capacity building training the participants discussed current situation of child labour and education in the country and challenges in eliminating worst forms of child labour.
They also made recommendations to eliminate child labour, their points including a multisectoral approach to the problem. They also recommended ratification of section 138 of the ILO Convention where the minimum age of the children in hazardous job is fixed and adoption of the National Child Labour Policy underlined as a matter of urgency.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=80508

Brazil's top court backs indigenous rights
3 hours ago
BRASILIA (AFP) — Indigenous groups from the Amazon have won a major victory after Brazil's Supreme Court upheld the integrity of a vast native reserve, paving the way for the eviction of white farmers who have resisted leaving.
Dozens of bare-chested, brightly painted indigenous people celebrated on Thursday the landmark ruling by dancing and singing outside Brazil's top court, which weighed into a 30-year dispute over the rights of native groups to lands in South America's largest nation.
"This decision is a great victory for Indians and enshrines the rights of indigenous peoples," Marcio Meira, president of the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), told AFP.
In a 10-1 vote, the tribunal's judges reaffirmed the borders of the Raposa Serra do Sol reserve and ordered the rice farmers' expulsion.
The eagerly awaited decision was seen as crucial to indigenous politics in the country and especially to hundreds of similar court cases in Brazil, which has set aside 12 percent of its enormous territory for reserves for native peoples whose ancestors lived in the country before the arrival of Europeans some 500 years ago.
At 17,000 square kilometers (6,560 square miles), the immense forested territory in northern Brazil, along the border with Venezuela and Guyana, is equal to half the size of Belgium.
Some 19,000 members of the indigenous Macuxi, Wapichana, Ingariko, Taurepang and Patamona tribes call the territory home.
The dispute has raged since the 1970s between the native groups seeking to protect the forest, their ancestral lands and their traditional way of life, and white agricultural and industrial interests seeking to exploit the land for farming and mining.
The court's decision routed an attempt by the farmers -- who were backed by powerful regional political and economic interests -- to have the reserve broken up so they could continue to live in enclaves. Many had been there for two decades or more.
Before the matter was heard by the court, the farmers vowed to fight any attempt to force them out, and several stockpiled arms and threatened to blow up bridges and spike roads if police moved in.
Court justice Ellen Gracie likened the Raposa Serra do Sol reserve's demarcation to an "ancestral debt" for Brazil that would be enshrined for indigenous use.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed a decree creating the reserve in 2005 after a 30-year legal battle. In the reaffirming decision Thursday, the Supreme Court even ruled in favor of free movement of Brazilian armed forces in the reserve to defend the borders.
In December, eight of the court's 11 judges cast their votes in favor of the reserve's indigenous people, but then one judge called a suspension to allow more time to read documents related to the issue.
Defenders for the white farmers' rights and the interests of large agricultural interests, calling for the reserve to be broken up for continued exploitation, said rice production amounts to seven percent of the region's GDP.
The indigenous population was decimated by the arrival of Portuguese settlers in the early 16th century, notably as a result of diseases the immigrants brought with them such as tuberculosis, chicken pox and the common cold, against which tribal groups had no defense.
According to FUNAI, their number was cut from as many as 10 million to just 460,000 today -- a tiny fraction of the 190 million people who now live in Brazil.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hOdu3bS7VTUZLVK4NiC2BgUhkk4g

Suriname project delivers clean water to 10,000
By Joseph Derr
Rotary International News -- 19 March 2009

________________________________________



Surinamese villagers seek shelter from the sun in the solar panels that provide energy for a clean water system installed by Rotarians. Photo courtesy of Rotary Club of Paramaribo
The small South American nation of Suriname may only have three Rotary clubs, but Rotarians there have made a big impact with projects to improve access to clean water.
Illegal mining has caused mercury contamination in many rivers and streams in Suriname, affecting the lives of thousands.
Focusing on the indigenous communities of Kajapatie and Abenaston, the Rotary Club of Paramaribo worked with clubs in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States on a US$73,000 project for a new safe-water system. These funds helped purchase holding tanks, filters, pumps, and other equipment, all powered by solar panels. The club received Matching Grant support from The Rotary Foundation and also partnered with the Georg Fischer Bicentenary Foundation, the Alcoa Foundation, and the Canada Fund for additional financial support.
Paramaribo club members have completed seven water projects in recent years, investing a total of $350,000 to provide clean drinking water for an estimated 10,000 people. Other projects assisted different communities, including those of the Maroon people, who are the descendants of 18th century runaway slaves.
"These projects have been so enormously successful because in the planning stages, the local populations were actively involved in all aspects of the clean water facilities. Nothing was carried out without the village elders' consent and knowledge," says Paramaribo club member Anton Brandon, one of the key organizers for the projects.
The clubs also emphasized community involvement to ensure the projects' sustainability. Villagers helped install underground water mains and were trained on system maintenance, Brandon says.
http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/090319_news_suriname.aspx