01/04/09

Mining – India 1
1. Secure Ramandurg mines for steel PSUs, Paswan writes to PM 1
2. Centre clears mining lease of 3 Goa firms near protected area 2
3. SAIL likely to produce 12 mt steel next year 3
4. Nuclear Fuel Complex imports 60 tn uranium 4
5. CIL to start exploration of Mozambique coal blocks in six months 5
6. Gold Application Approved, Madhya Pradesh, India 6
Mining – International 8
7. New Bill on Uranium Royalties Could Rob Aboriginal Landowners 8
8. Mining villagers protest ‘forced evacuation’ 9
9. Mining operation approved with conditions 11
10. Supreme Court Considers Landmark Environmental Case 12
11. AngloGold Ashanti to revive gold mines in Colombia 13
Other News – India 15
12. Child labour key to economic growth: Scientist 15
13. Restricted fiscal benefits for sea ports in SEZs 16
14. Call for action on Broads threat 18

Mining – India

Secure Ramandurg mines for steel PSUs, Paswan writes to PM
New Delhi (PTI): Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to secure Karnataka's iron ore-rich Ramandurg mines for steel sector PSUs even as Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola has favoured the property for trading firm MMTC.
Mr. Paswan's letter to the Prime Minister comes on the heels of Ola ignoring the suggestions of top officials, including former Mines Secretary Shantanu Consul and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, to get 1,503 hectares of the mining area reserved for state-run MMTC.
"...kindly intervene in the matter to safeguard the rightful claims of NMDC and KIOCL, mining PSUs of the Government of India, which have proven record and expertise in scientific mining. This will also be in the national interest," Mr. Paswan said in the letter.
Ola has been in the eye of storm for ignoring suggestions of Consul and Chandrasekhar and asking his ministry to issue a notification on reserving the mines for MMTC, whose core business is not mining.
The top officials had suggested seeking Legislative Department's opinion on the matter as a few writ petitions related to the claims over Ramandurg mines were pending in the Karnataka High Court.
In its opinion to the Centre, the Karnataka government had also advised against any hasty action on reservation of the mines in view of the pending litigations.
PSUs like NMDC and KIOCL are among the claimants for Ramandurg mines, which is said to be possessing around 500 million tonnes of iron ore. Private-sector firms like MSPL, JSW Steel and Ramgarh Minerals are also eyeing the prized property.
Though the Government is yet to issue a notification for reservation of the mines, NMDC has slapped a legal notice on the Mines Ministry, saying the proposed move would be in violation of the model code of conduct and contempt of court.
The Ramandurg mining range was initially reserved for exploitation by state agencies, but was later de-reserved (in 2003). About 500 companies, including MSPL, Kalyani Steel and JSW Steel had applied for it.
In a recent communication to the Mines Ministry, the Karnataka government said, "Sending proposal to reserve the (Ramandurg) area under section 17A (1A) of the MMDR Act, 1957, does not arise since it (the matter) is sub-judice."
However, setting aside all the suggestions, Ola, through repeated notes, wanted his ministry to immediately issue a notification in favour of MMTC.
A draft notification for the same was prepared in February, but was not approved by the internal wing of the Mines Ministry. Meanwhile, Consul, who joined the Ministry last year, has been transferred to the water resources department.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200904011351.htm

Centre clears mining lease of 3 Goa firms near protected area
PTI
Centre clears mining lease of 3 Goa firms near protected area
PTI
NEW DELHI, MARCH 31
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court ban on mining within one km radius of Protected Areas (PAs), the Environment Ministry has given its nod for giving mining lease to three private firms situated near a wildlife sanctuary in Goa.
Accepting the State forest officials contention that the firms were mining iron ore since Portuguese times, the ministry allowed V M Salgaocar and Brothers Pvt Ltd, Hede Groups and Achuta V S Velingkar firms to continue with mining near Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in the State.
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), however, in a recent meeting turned down their plea to mine in the new land as it was within one km radius of the protected area famous for its snakes, particularly the king cobra, sources told PTI here.
In case of Salgaocar firm, the mining was 550 meters away from the boundary of the sanctuary and had about 49.735 hectares of forest land partly broken for mining. It had proposed to break further 8.627 hectares of area for iron ore mining.
Hede had sought mining in the land located about 650 meters away from the boundary of the sanctuary and Mollem National Park. It involved felling of 2128 trees of different species in 9 ha of land which is proposed to be broken for mining.
In the third case, the mining site is at a distance of 160-400 meters from the boundary of the park.
Chief Wildlife Warden, Goa while seeking approval of their lease agreements had argued that all the proposals were old leases of Portuguese time and mining operators had taken all due care in past not to cause any negative impact on the environment, the sources added.
The State officials also pointed that a Supreme Court order had referred the matter for the consideration of the Board.
However, the non-official members of the Board strongly opposed the proposal stating that no mining in such a close vicinity of Protected Area should be permitted.
“Wildlife expert M K Ranjitsinh was of the view that mining in vicinity of the Protected Area should not be allowed because of its ill-affects on the flora and fauna,” they said.
Prominent wildlife activists A R Rehmani and B Talukdar also toed the similar line while referring to a Supreme Court order that mining should not be permitted within one kilometre of Protected Areas.
They opined that clearance to such projects would be a be environmental disaster and open a “Pandora’s box” of such applications close to other protected areas, the sources said.
They were of the view that mining should be closed down to protect the fauna and flora which was already under severe pressure due to degradation and rapid urbanisation.
However, the Committee took a majority view to recommend the mining on the already broken land for mining in all the three proposals without breaking any new land within 1 km from the boundary of Protected Area.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=19546&cid=2


SAIL likely to produce 12 mt steel next year
1 Apr 2009, 0105 hrs IST, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Country’s largest steel producer Steel Authority of India (SAIL) will produce 12 million tonne of saleable steel during 2009-10. The
higher target has been set despite the current economic slowdown. The broad details of SAIL’s production plan were formalised on Tuesday through the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 2009-10 with the ministry of steel.

Last month, SAIL Chairman S K Roongta had said the company may slightly fall short of its production target of 13 million tonnes for 2008-09. The 12-million tonne target set in MoU is slightly lower than internal target of 13 million tonne set by the PSU for 2009-10. This is the same level of production targeted in 2008-09.

The public sector steel company will also produce over 3 million tonnes of value-added steel products during the year to meet the growing requirements of high-end user segments. It has also set a target of achieving a sales turnover of over Rs 40,000 crore during 2009-10.

In the MoU, SAIL has also firmed up its techno-economic targets. These include achievement of lower specific energy consumption, as well as higher levels of blast furnace productivity and e-procurement.

SAIL has attained ‘excellent’ rating in MoU score for the last six years. The company has also received merit awards from the department of public enterprises for its performance on MoU parameters during the last three years. India, the world’s fifth-largest steel producer, makes about 53 million tonnes a year.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods--Svs/Steel/SAIL-likely-to-produce-12-mt-steel-next-year/articleshow/4341882.cms


Nuclear Fuel Complex imports 60 tn uranium

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad April 1, 2009, 1:02 IST

Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) on Tuesday received 60 tonne uranium ore concentrate from Areva NC, France.
This is the first batch of the imported nuclear fuel. Another consignment is due in April, said NFC chief executive officer RN Jayaraj.
Addressing the media here, he said the dispatch was part of the bilateral agreement that India and France had entered for supplying reactors and fuel consequent to the Indo-US nuclear deal, 123 Agreement and clearance by the Nuclear Suppliers Group for civil nuclear cooperation. NFC has placed an order for 300 tonne uranium ore concentrate, the biggest for India so far, with the French company and will get the remaining 240 tonne in a month or so.
The uranium would be used for making about 20,000 fuel bundles, each weighing 15 kg and capable of generating 6,40,000 units of power.
He said deliberations were on between the Department of Atomic Energy and a Russian company for import of another 120 tonne uranium concentrate to the NFC. The complex would also hold talks with Kazakhstan for further imports.
NFC is responsible for supply of nuclear fuel bundles and reactor core components for all the nuclear power reactors operating in India. It currently supplies nuclear fuel to all the 15 pressurised heavy water reactors and two boiling water reactors.
Jayaraj said NFC has also secured an order from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, for making an ‘end closure welding’ machine for a third world country.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/nuclear-fuel-complex-imports-60-tn-uranium/353511/


CIL to start exploration of Mozambique coal blocks in six months

Jayajit Dash / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar April 1, 2009, 1:05 IST

Coal India Limited (CIL) which was recently awarded two exploratory coal bocks in Mozambique, hoped to commence exploration work within six months, a highly placed CIL official told Business Standard.
“CIL is in negotiations with the Mozambique government for carrying out exploration work on the two coal blocks. CIL would forge a joint venture (JV) with the Mozambique government for exploration of the coal blocks. In the JV company, CIL will have 85 per cent stake while the remaining 15 per cent will be held by the Mozambique government”, said the CIL official.
CIL needed exploratory license to kick off exploration work. Earlier this month, the navratna coal PSU (public sector undertaking) was awarded two coal blocks-A1 and A2 in Tete province of Mozambique with an estimated reserves of one billion tonnes.
CIL was also to spend Rs 100 crore towards distributing artificial limbs in the war ravaged country, creating a mine technology hub and setting up an institute on the lines of the Indian Institute of Mines, Dhanbad, to create a pool of mining professionals in Mozambique.
Asked on the plans of CIL to examine the viability of 77 out of 127 projects in the 11th Five Year Plan, the official said, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), a fully owned subsidiary of CIL would prepare a report on the viability of the 77 projects within two months.
CIL had asked its fully owned subsidiary- CMPDI to examine the viability of 77 projects on account of the implementation of the National Coal Wage Agreement-VIII.
According to the National Coal Wage Agreement-VIII, the wages of over 4 lakh employees of CIL and its eight subsidiaries would be revised and this means a financial burden of about Rs 1,800 crore on the coal PSU. The report from CMPDI on the viability of the projects is expected within a month.
Besides, there would be an additional burden of Rs 500 crore because of the rise in salaries of CIL officers which has already been notified.
There was a possibility of CIL missing its targeted production of about 520 million tonnes (mt) by the end of 2011-12 as the viability of 77 projects was being examined.
CIL has recorded a production of 316.45 mt during April-January of 2008-09, a 7.1 per cent growth over 295.37 mt posted in the corresponding period of 2007-08. It was aiming at a coal production of 405 mt by the end of 2008-09.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cil-to-start-explorationmozambique-coal-blocks-in-six-months/353508/


Gold Application Approved, Madhya Pradesh, India
New Delhi, India  and Vancouver , British Columbia CANADA, Mar 31, 2009 (Filing Services Canada via COMTEX) ---- Pebble Creek Mining Ltd. (PEB - TSX Venture), (the "Company" or "Pebble Creek") has been informed by the Madhya Pradesh (state) government that its application for a Reconnaissance Permit ("RP") for gold and related minerals on 3,800 square kilometers in Hoshangabad, Narsimhapur and Jabalpur districts was approved by the Indian Ministry of Mines. This is the last major step in order for the state government to grant the RP. The region is known to host gold deposits of two types, one resembling Carlin-type deposits and the other hosted by banded iron formations.
In Karnataka state, the government has acknowledged the Company's applications for gold RPs on two land blocks encompassing 1,000 square kilometers that are contiguous with the well known Hutti gold mining district. In Jharkhand state, the Company also has applications pending for three contiguous gold RPs on lands encompassing 1,600 square kilometers in the highlands above river valleys where village people extract alluvial gold after the annual monsoon rains.
Existing regulations entitle the holder of an RP the preferential right to acquire a Prospecting Licence ("PL") in respect of the RP-approved area, and the holder of a PL the preferential right to acquire a Mining Lease. If the much discussed new "National Mining Policy 2008" passes Parliament after India's national elections in April and May 2009, these regulations would replace the "preferential" rights with "exclusive" rights, speed up the approval processes, and further reduce regulation of mineral exploration and mine development in India.
India is a major world gold market and purchases approximately 15 million ounces to nearly 30 million ounces of gold annually. India presently mines approximately 100,000 ounces of gold per year and recovers an equal amount as a byproduct of smelting and refining imported copper concentrates.
About Pebble Creek: The Company has been exploring in India since 1995 and has an established technical and business infrastructure. The Company is one of the earliest mineral exploration and development companies in India since deregulation began and, including the above listed gold prospects, holds 17 mineral tenures or applications on 19,700 square kilometers in various parts of India.
Andrew Nevin, President & CEO
New Delhi, tel. +91 98 1091 0678
Mike Romanik, Investor Relations,
Verenex Capital Corp., Brandon, Manitoba, tel. +1 204 724 0613
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: changing regulatory regimes, the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property tenures; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in commodity prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.
Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/gold-application-approved-madhya-pradesh-india/


Mining – International

New Bill on Uranium Royalties Could Rob Aboriginal Landowners
AAP Mar 31, 2009
DARWIN—A bill seeking to apply a uniform royalty regime to all new uranium projects in the Northern Territory could disadvantage Aboriginal people, a Senate inquiry has been told.

Uranium royalties in the territory are currently negotiated by the commonwealth on an individual basis.

All other mining companies base their payments to traditional owners on a standard rate of 18 per cent of net profits.

A new bill, introduced to federal parliament late last year, would dictate a standard practice for the uranium royalty regime.

But there are concerns that basing royalty payments on profits, rather than revenue, could disadvantage the people whose land is being mined.

At a senate inquiry into the Uranium Royalty (Northern Territory) Bill 2008 in Darwin on Tuesday, Justin O'Brien from the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) said a profit-based system could prove "counter-productive".

"I think we need to rethink it," he said of the bill.

GAC represents the traditional Mirarr people, who own the land on which the Ranger uranium mine is operating in Kakadu National Park.

Mr O'Brien said the GAC had found that an ad valorem system, where royalty payments are based on revenue, proved more beneficial to the local people.

"Whether or not the mining company is making a profit the Aboriginal people receive an economic benefit," he said.

"We would much rather a system whereby people receive compensation (for mining on their land) rather than only receiving an income stream when the company is making a profit."

If the bill went ahead in its current form, Mr O'Brien warned it could pose a number of problems.

"(It) could very well act as an impediment to further development," he said.

"Aboriginal people would be less likely to sanction uranium mining under a profit-based royalty regime ...

"It takes a long time for a mining company to turn to profit ... that can take up to 10 or more years.

"Unless there are alternative arrangements made, that would be a period during which no benefit would be paid to traditional owners and that would be a disincentive."

Dave Sweeney, from the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the bill needed to hand control back to indigenous people.

"The first (question) that should be asked is do the communities want it," he said outside the hearing.

"Rather than assuming, rather than dictating, rather than imposing, ask ...

"There are major questions about traditional decision making and the ability of people to say yes or no to developments."

Mr Sweeney also called on the senators to consider the environmental impacts of uranium mining and consider ways to introducing mandatory safeguards into the bill.

"There is a whole range of concerns that the Senate should be mindful of and the government should be addressing in legislation, not just the one of royalty flows," he said.

"If you're looking at a bill to expand uranium mining you need to look at a whole range of areas where this industry is failing today."

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/14544/


Mining villagers protest ‘forced evacuation’
By Frinston Lim
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:16:00 03/31/2009

Filed Under: Mining and quarrying, Regional authorities
TAGUM CITY – Residents of the mining village of Mt. Diwata in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, have asked the provincial government to reconsider an earlier decision to relocate them to a nearby village.
The relocation plan was part of the provincial government’s efforts to prevent disasters in the landslide-prone village following a series of landslides that killed at least two dozen people in recent months.
Over a dozen homes were destroyed and nine persons were also injured when days of rain triggered mudslides in Mt. Diwata in November and December alone.
In January, Gov. Arturo Uy created the Diwalwal Crisis Committee (DCC) to carry out the relocation plan for over 200 families displaced by last year’s landslides, and those living in what the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) considered as danger zones.
“What we want is for our people there to be safe so after consulting experts from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), we found out that a large portion of Diwalwal is no longer safe for the people’s habitation,” Uy said shortly after the creation of the committee.
But the villagers opposed the relocation plan, saying it could hurt their livelihood – mostly small-scale mining.
“The planned relocation site is in Sitio Mabatas, several kilometers from the mining area and already part of neighboring Barangay Upper Ulip,” said Francisco Tito, Mt. Diwata village chief.
Tito and over a dozen community leaders representing Diwalwal’s more than 40,000 people trooped to Uy’s office on Friday and asked him to set aside the planned relocation to Mabatas.
Rico Amparo, community leader of Purok 20, said the clamor against the “forced evacuation” has become strong.
Tito said Diwalwal folk wanted the relocation site within the 729-hectare village and not in Mabatas or other areas outside of Diwata.
Amparo said residents were also apprehensive that the moment they relocate to other areas, “big, foreign mining companies could come in and take over.”
But Uy said the livelihood of those to be relocated would not be hurt at all.
“Their apprehensions are due to misinformation,” he said.
“Of course, they will still be able to work in Diwalwal.”
He said letting the residents stay was like putting them in harm’s way.
Uy said the MGB and the provincial engineering office (PEO) found the area “too risky for habitation.”
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20090331-197250/Mining-villagers-protest-forced-evacuation

Mining operation approved with conditions
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
By Magdalene Landegent
A gravel mining operation planned at the southern edge of Plymouth County received approval after more than a year -- but with plenty of strings attached.
Mel Crawford, of Sioux City, received approval Monday from the Plymouth County Board of Adjustment to begin a gravel mine north of Sioux City just east of Highway 75.
However, the conditions the board required cut down the mine's size by about one-half.
Since the project was presented to the Plymouth County Zoning Board in January 2008 to rezone 62 acres from commercial to industrial for a gravel mine, it has been strongly contested by neighbors.
One home is within feet of Crawford's land.
During Monday's board of adjustment meeting, Pat Phipps, an attorney representing those homeowners, argued for several conditions to be tied to any permit allowed to Crawford.
"We'll see if we can find a set of conditions that are acceptable to both parties," board chairwoman Nancy Anderson said after hearing from the two sides. "If not, we'll send one away unhappy."
The board agreed to several conditions.
One is a 300-foot buffer between gravel mining and the residential property, which makes the northern border of Crawford's land.
This is a county zoning standard for any excavation.
Shifting the mine back 300 feet from the entire northern property line eliminated about one-half of what Crawford had planned to mine.
Phipps and the board suggested the possibility of using that 300-foot stretch to build houses.
The board also suggested mining more gravel from the land between the eastern edge of the proposed mine and the Floyd River, which winds through the east side of Crawford's land.
"To mine to the east would substantially set back this project," Crawford told the board.
Other conditions include hours of operation.
The board told Crawford the gravel mining could run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
They also limited the permit to five years.
In the case that Crawford would begin the operation but then abandon it midway through, the board required he either secure a $62,000 cash bond or buy a $125,000 insurance policy. That money would be used to return the land to a natural, non-industrial state.
Crawford is also required to plant a screen of fast-growing trees between the mine and the residential neighbors to the north. The trees must be planted to the specifications of a landscaper and must be maintained, the board agreed.
Any noxious weeds must also be controlled on Crawford's land.
The board unanimously approved the permit with all the conditions.
Originally, Crawford's plans included mining 20 acres on the 62-acre industrial lot, rezoned last month, for gravel. He planned to use a clamshell dredge, which would lift the sand out of the pit and drain the water from it.
"Very little" water would be pumped to the Floyd River, Crawford said.
He said there might be 12 or so trucks a day, and he worked with a contractor to provide dust control on the entrance to the gravel mining pit and the gravel road around it.
The mining operation, he said, would run from about April through October, weather permitting.
After Monday's meeting, Crawford chose not to comment on whether he planned to continue with the mining operation at this time.
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1526412.html


Supreme Court Considers Landmark Environmental Case
Tuesday, March 31, 2009





Lower Slat Lake (photo: Brian Wallace/Juneau Empire)
The fate of a little known lake in Alaska, and potentially the practices of the mining industry in the United States, may be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the coming weeks. The case involves a tiny body of water known as Lower Slate Lake, into which the mining operation of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. wants to dump tons of effluent from gold mining. Environmental lawyers have filed suit to stop Coeur, and the ruling by the high court could alter the practice of mining companies that use natural lakes as dumping grounds for toxic refuse.

Coeur’s decision to use the Alaskan lake was made possible by regulatory changes implemented during the Bush administration in 2002 that allowed companies to use lakes as receptacles for tailings. The company has been supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which says the tailings Coeur wants to dispose into Lower Slate Lake are as harmless as beach sand.

Tom Waldo, an environmental attorney involved in the case, disagrees with the Corps’ assessment, saying the pulverized rock from the mine would be treated with chemicals to help skim off gold and then pumped into the lake at the rate of 200,000 gallons a day. Waldo insists the runoff will have a “pH level equal to ammonia, which is toxic to aquatic life.”

http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Supreme_Court_Considers_Landmark_Environmental_Case_90331

AngloGold Ashanti to revive gold mines in Colombia
2009-03-31 15:40:00
By Geena Paul
Colombia is a country with a lot of natural treasures. It is the fourth largest nation in South America. Colombia’s economy is mostly depended on agriculture and mining.

Colombia is rich in natural resources, and its main exports include petroleum, coal, coffee and other agricultural produce, and gold.

Colombia’s gold mines are now much talked about in the world. One of the major gold mines in Colombia is La Colosa, which was closed for some months due to environmental issues.

However, Colombia will issue a permit in April to allow AngloGold Ashanti to start work on its La Colosa gold mine. AngloGold Ashanti, one of the world's leading gold producers, has a portfolio of long-life, relatively low-cost assets with a variety of orebody types in key gold-producing regions around the world.

AngloGold Ashanti produced 5.5 million ounces of gold in 2007 - an estimated 7% of global production - making it the third largest producer in the world. The bulk of its production came from deep level underground operations (40%) and surface operations (3%) in South Africa. Contributions from other countries were Ghana (10%), Mali (8%), Australia (11%), Brazil (7%), Tanzania (6%), USA (5%), Guinea (5%), Argentina (4%) and Namibia (1%). Today, AngloGold Ashanti has 20 operations located in 10 countries on four continents, together with a substantial project pipeline and a focused, global exploration programme. AngloGold Ashanti currently operates in South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, the Republic of Guinea, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania and the United States.

Greenfields exploration from AngloGold Ashanti is underway in Western Australia, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and through exploration partnerships and joint ventures in Colombia, Russia, China and the Philippines. In 2007, 378,014 metres of greenfields exploration drilling was completed.

Environmental officials had stopped exploration work on the large mine prospect in Colombia a year ago, saying drilling threatened forest reserves.

The project in Colombia has estimated reserves of more than 12 million ounces. Production could start within five years once given the go-ahead and La Colosa’s future output is estimated at 700,000 ounces of gold a year. This will give a significant boost to the country’s economy now. With La Colosa reopening, mining companies from across the world may throng Columbia for more projects.

Columbia’s path to growth was due to the mines. Economic performance has been aided by liberal reforms introduced in the early 1990s. In 2008, the Heritage Foundation assessed the Colombian economy to be 61.9% free, an increase of 2.3% since 2007, placing it 67th in the world and 15th out of 29 countries within the region.

Colombia has been the world’s leading exporter of emeralds. It also produced a significant amount of gold (ranking second in the region), was Latin America’s only producer of platinum and third-largest producer of cement, and was a leading producer of nickel.

In 2002, cement, gold, coal, and emeralds were among the country’s leading industries, and petroleum and coal were, respectively, the first-and third-leading export commodities. Colombia also produced sizeable amounts of common clay, kaolin, dolomite, gypsum, limestone, hydrated lime and quicklime, magnesite, nitrogen (content of ammonia), rock and marine salt, sand, gravel, marble, feldspar, phosphate rock, and sodium compounds (sodium carbonate), as well as small quantities of sulfur (native, from ore), asbestos, bauxite, bentonite, calcite, diatomite, fluorite, mercury, mica, talc, soapstone, prophyllite, dolomite, and zinc.

The country’s substantial copper, iron, nickel, and lead reserves were of major importance to the future development of the economy. The El Roble copper mine, all of whose output was exported to Japan, was expected to be depleted in the very near future.

A copper deposit with reserves estimated at 625 million tons was discovered at Pantanos, Antioquia, in 1973. Cerro Matoso SA, a subsidiary of BHP Billiton PLC, was the country’s sole producer of nickel and ferronickel, near Monetlíbano, Córdoba.

Reserves of the lateritic nickel mine were estimated to be 39.9 million tons with a 2.3% nickel content. A second production plant, completed in 2001, ahead of schedule, was set to double Cerro Matoso's ferronickel production capacity to 55,000 tons per year of nickel.
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/AngloGold-Ashanti-to-revive-gold-mines-in-Colombia-16502-3-1.html

Other News – India

Child labour key to economic growth: Scientist
Karri Sriram
First Published : 01 Apr 2009 03:05:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Apr 2009 08:16:18 AM IST
In a rapidly growing economy like India, with an average of over nine percent growth in GDP over the last decade, one of the most significant factors that has been responsible for this amazing turnaround since the days of the Hindu rate of growth, is the stellar though unrecognised contribution of child labour, a social scientist, after years of groundbreaking study and arduous research, reported to Sedition today.
“We urgently need to recognise this vital link to economy so that our economic growth can be fuelled further, and all contradictions in this area are removed, replaced by a comprehensive policy,” he exhorted.
“There are no awards whatsoever for the best child employees. Given the fact that they put in 12 hours a day, often without holidays, breaks, sometimes even without food and water — how mean and cruel can we get?” he demanded of powers that be.
“Similarly, because of lack of relevant legislations in the country, these critical-to-economy contributors don’t even get recognition by formal banking and financial services sector — no toy loans, no once-a-month good meal loans, facilities they actually deserve.” In the detailed research report, now made available to both Sedition and Perdition, confusing and contradictory legislations and unclear policy takes the biggest flak. “We have to immediately debate and remove all archaic clauses, including the terribly irrelevant and counterproductive Directive Principle mandating that the State provide free and compulsory education to all children till the age of 14 years.” “Imagine what loss of motivation it provides, sending such confusing signals and a huge loss to possible addition to the overall talent pool. Middleclass parents not only forgo their morally due share of under-aged children’s salary as potential bidi rollers or matchbox packers, but actually end up spending on their wards’ education. Imagine, millions of middle-class children, instead of wasting time drawing, painting, signing, dancing, learning karate at expensive schools, would be at their rightful places — dingy exploitative factories and unventilated small-scale units, marching on their way to productivity?” the reports argues.
The lack of proper formal training is another facet highlighted in the report, entitled, Bridging Gaps in Fullest Exploitation of Child Labour for Greater Economic Growth, already being planned for release as a book.
“If instead of wasting critical years teaching them silly nursery rhymes, sissy and completely irrelevant-to-industry skills like PT and National Anthem singing, if they were quickly taught to pick rags, roll bidis, pack matchboxes, or even more hazardous works, how quickly they would contribute to society.” “Nothing does so much good to the esteem of little Srinu, Javed or John as earning those three to four rupees a day after 12 to 14 hours of backbreaking work. The government has no business denying them such hard-earned esteem.” Dismissing concerns that child labour was bad, the professor argued that those who seek for its ban, or severe restrictions, are pessimists who don’t see the fullest picture or rosy future that lies ahead for child labourers.
“What about the buck-tooth kid who earned more than his parents ever can by acting in that movie Taare Zameen Par? What about Sachin Tendulkar who could not formally finish his studies but began playing for the country since he was 15, even having to miss the original schedule of his Class X exams?” the report challenges.
However, all is not gloomy and there is a strong silver lining in the cloud. “Thousands of parents are beating their reluctant tiny-tots into learning tennis to replicate the success of Sania Mirza, or practise singing to get selected for those tasteless TV reality shows.” “However, it is not enough and we must ensure every child earns his or her rightful place in society.
But with right government policies, cruel and indifferent parents, adequate counselling by prochild labour NGOs, and a willing to employ children industry, we can also replicate the success of China to emerge as a leading manufacturing alternative, making the cheapest goods in the world,” the report concludes.
There are unfounded rumours that the professor’s work will be made into a documentary by a leading intellectual filmmaker and might be in the running for this year’s Nobel Prize for economics, or peace, or whatever.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Child+labour+key+to+economic+growth:+Scientist&artid=jkAR4/9CUQY=&SectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=m3GntEw72ik=&SEO=Sania%20Mirza


Restricted fiscal benefits for sea ports in SEZs

Rituparna Bhuyan / New Delhi April 01, 2009, 0:48 IST

Govt releases guidelines for operating sea ports in SEZs.
The commerce ministry has come out with guidelines for operating sea ports inside Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
Under these guidelines, sea ports located within the tax-free industrial enclaves would enjoy fiscal benefits only for their construction and not for maintenance and consumables needed for day-to-day operations.
Besides, the new guidelines specify clear demarcation of the sea port within an SEZ, and also division of work between the revenue department and SEZ officials.
Several SEZs proposed in the coastal areas have plans to build sea ports. The SEZ Act of 2005 provides for port-based SEZs but the Department of Revenue under the finance ministry has expressed concern that duty-free goods from such ports could find their way to the Domestic Tariff Area outside the zones.
Developers like Kakinada SEZ Pvt Ltd in Andhra Pradesh as well as Kandla Port Trust in Gujarat have got in-principle approvals to build port-based SEZs.
The new guidelines clear all ambiguities in this regard. They were finalised by the commerce ministry after extensive discussions with its finance counterpart.
However, the guidelines specify that the ports inside SEZs will have to be built outside the processing area that is designated for the core industrial activity. This means that the ports will be able to get the duty-free benefits to source materials for construction, and not for operation.
The SEZ Rules of 2006 extend fiscal benefits, like duty-free access to inputs and raw material needed for construction and operation, only to units located inside the processing area. For any establishment located in the non-processing area of the zones, the fiscal benefits are allowed only for construction.
The new guidelines mandate demarcation of the port from the rest of the SEZ, which will be jointly done by officials of the commerce and revenue departments.
Moreover, there has to be a separate entry and exit routes for goods meant for SEZs and users outside the DTA. Also, cargo meant for the zones and the factories located outside will have to be isolated and stored separately.
Customs officials will be handling the cargo meant for the DTA, while SEZ officials would be responsible for the goods meant for the zone.
This system has been bought in place to ensure proper monitoring of goods entering the SEZ port. The required changes in SEZ Rules will be carried out soon, the guidelines say.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/restricted-fiscal-benefits-for-sea-ports-in-sezs/353591/

Call for action on Broads threat

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Clive Doarks, of Natural England, says the effects of climate change are already being seen on the Broads
The Norfolk Broads face severe damage from climate change unless more is done to help habitats recover, a report by Natural England said.
The study into the future of the Broads recommends new wetlands are created and species given more support before sea levels rise further.
The report authors found climate change will lead to the Broads becoming salty.
They said coastal defences will come under more pressure, while wetlands face harm from floods and drought.
'New policies needed'
Natural England said changing conditions would also lead to the loss of some plants and animals.
They risk being replaced by non-native and "invasive" species, it said.
Shaun Thomas, Natural England's East of England director, said: "There is a clear need for Natural England to continue its work with government, organisations with a stake in the Broads and local communities to develop integrated responses to climate change in this, the UK's premier wetland."

The organisation said the Broads would become more brackish. Pic: Mike Page
Mr Thomas said new policies were needed to determine how the Broads could adapt to climate change.
Stephen Johnson, chairman of the Broads Authority, said the research emphasised the "need to get our habitats robust and resilient".
Natural England also confirmed its support for the current policy to maintain the line of defence on the stretch of coast between Eccles and Winterton for at least 50 years.
The Environment Agency said it would study Natural England's report and give "careful consideration" to what action it takes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/norfolk/7973640.stm