Mining – India 1
1. Mining: HC asks Government to probe 1
2. Minister admits illegal mining 2
3. Centre to amend mining law to address iron ore issues 3
4. Naveen rules out CBI probe into mining scam 3
5. Coal India invites EOI for coal mining in foreign countries 4
6. Mittal says Indian projects stuck due to delay in govt approvals 4
Mining – International 5
7. Jindal Steel sets up office in Mongolia for mining activities 5
8. Bring U.S. mining law into the 21st century 5
9. NO ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR MINING & ENERGY MINISTRY 7
10. Rays of recovery - Anglo sees great signs of mining comeback 7
11. Capstone Mining says will meet 2009 production outlook 8
12. China Copper Demand May Rise in October, Nippon Mining Says 9
13. New U-mine under insider scrutiny 10
14. Indonesia to send more police to Freeport mine 11
Other News 12
15. Climate Change | Shift in stance could redefine India’s growth strategy 12
16. Challenges remain before climate change conference:UN official 14
17. UN urge world to seal the deal on climate change 15
18. Work productivity can lessen by 30 percent in Delhi: Climate report 15
19. Water cuts hit JNNURM infrastructure works 16
20. Social audit of schemes under NREGA 17
21. Can India's tigers be saved or are they now doomed to disappear? 17 18
Mining – India
Mining: HC asks Government to probe
Express News Service
First Published : 16 Jul 2009 08:36:33 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Jul 2009 12:10:43 PM IST
BANGALORE: The High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to take stringent action against three top bureaucrats for renewing mining lease to a Tumkur based mining company, in forest land extending 90 acres in Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk. While disposing the petition filed by M/s Jyothi Brothers, a mining company, the division bench headed by Chief Justice PD Dinakaran had directed the state to take action against the then director of mines and geology, deputy commissioner of Tumkur district and Tehsildar of Chikkanayakanahalli Taluk, all three officers were working in the mentioned posts during 1992-1993.
The petitioner had obtained a renewal of the mining lease in the forest area by fraudulent methods, colluding with the three officials, the court observed.
However the court has quashed the demand notice issued by the government on March 28, 2009, demanding Rs 38.30 crore as damages from the petitioner for conducting mining activities in notified forest area. The court has remitted the matter to the government and directed the government to give an opportunity to the petitioner before assessing the amount to be paid as damages.
According to the petitioner’s claim,in 1950, the petitioner had taken a mining lease, for the area which expired on 1992. He then approached the tehsildar of Chikkanayakanahalli for renewal of license.
Considering the recommendations of the then tehsildar and the deputy commissioner, the director of mines and geology renewed the license.
However the revenue department had conducted a joint survey in 2005 and 2006 and had declared that the petitioner’s mining area was in forest land. After the joint survey report, the government had directed the petitioner to pay damages and the had been challenged by the petitioner in the court.
HC accepts Yogishwar’s petition
The High Court has quashed the notice of assistant commissioner of Ramanagara district seeking explaination from CP Yogishwar, former MLA with regard to filing false affidavit during 2004 Assembly elections.
While hearing the petition filed by CP Yogishwar, Justice Anand Byrareddy has observed that once elections are over the assistant commisioner who was the returning officer(RO) during the election has no authority to seek explanations from the petitioner.
“Once elections were over only the Election Commissioner can initiate enquiry against the petitioner” the court observed.
RO Ravindra Belyur had complained before the Election Commission of India(EC) alleging that in 2004 Assembly elections, CP Yogishwar had filed a false affidavit regarding his assets .
The EC had issued notice to Yogishwar on October 19, 2006 and he had filed a reply to the commission denying the allegation.
The Election Commission had forwarded the reply to the RO along with complaint copy and directed the RO to conduct fresh enquiry into the matter. The RO had issued fresh notice to the petitioner which was challenged in the court.
HC orders CoD enquiry
The High Court has directed corps of detectives(CoD) enquiry regarding the alleged assault by the jail officers of a under trail prisoner in Parappana Agrahara Central jail.While hearing the suo moto petition, justice K Shridhar Rao, directed Director General of CoD to conduct enquiry into the matter and file a report within one week.
Wife of Dinna, the under trial prisoner in Central Jail had filed a complaint to the High Court alleging that her husband is tortured by the jail officers. Court had treated her letter as suo moto petition and directed the CoD to enquire into the matter.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Mining:+HC+asks+Government+to+probe&artid=R2ncB28KW9U=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=
Minister admits illegal mining
Express News Service
First Published : 16 Jul 2009 11:06:00 AM IST
BHUBANESWAR: Minister for Steel and Mines Raghunath Mohanty today admitted in the Assembly that there is illegal mining of iron and manganese ore in Keonjhar district.
Replying to a question from Subama Naik (BJD), the Minister said cases of illegal mining and smuggling of iron and manganese ore have increased in the last five years. He said 167 cases of illegal mining were detected in the district in 2005-06 while 13,477.73 tonne iron ore and 198.4 tonne manganese ore worth Rs 1.05 cr were seized.
The value of illegally mined ores, which were seized, increased to Rs 1.97 cr in 2006-07 and Rs 3.65 cr in 2007-08. During 2008-09, it went up to Rs 7.6 cr. The department also seized 319 vehicles which were used for transportation of illegally mined ores, he said. Flying squads and enforcement squads have been formed to check the activities specially in mineral rich districts like Keonjhar and Sundargarh.
Meanwhile, normal business started in the Assembly after the lunch recess on Wednesday following a statement by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the mining scam during the pre-lunch session.
The House could run for only three minutes as it met this morning before pandemonium broke out with the Opposition demanding a CBI probe into the alleged mining scam. The House had to be adjourned five times till 1.15 pm after which the Chief Minister made a statement on the issue.
But Naveen ignored the Opposition demand for CBI or a House committee probe maintaining that the State Vigilance Department will inquire into the allegations with due seriousness. He assured the members that stern action will be taken against those found guilty.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Minister+admits+illegal+mining&artid=RSZ0BydNe9w=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=
Centre to amend mining law to address iron ore issues
Press Trust of India / Bhubaneswar July 15, 2009, 18:05 IST
With iron ore allotment to steel industries becoming a major concern, the Centre is all set to amend the Mines Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act to incorporate aspects like value addition to boost steel production in the country.
''The ministry of mines is preparing the proposed amendments to be tabled in Parliament within 100 days,'' said P K Rastogi, secretary in the union ministry of steel.
Stating that some steel manufacturing units were facing raw material problems, he said the amendment bill was likely to be tabled during the winter session of Parliament.
''Encourage value addition and discourage export of iron ore will be the policy as the country aims at producing at least 120 mt steel by 2012,'' Rastogi told reporters on the sideline of an international convention on clean, green and sustainable technologies in iron and steel making here.
He said allotment of raw materials like iron ore and coal to existing industries was a priority for the government while the proposed units could wait for the raw material linkage.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/centre-to-amend-mining-law-to-address-iron-ore-issues/67839/on
Naveen rules out CBI probe into mining scam
15 Jul 2009, 1953 hrs IST, Nageshwar Patnaik, ET Bureau
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BHUBANESWAR: As expected, Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday ruled out any possibility of ordering a CBI probe into the alleged Rs 4,500-crore mining scam and said the state vigilance department was capable enough to investigate into the matter.
“During the last few days, the issue of illegal mining of manganese ore by M/s. RBT Limited has been agitated by members on the flood of the House. Steel and mines minister has indicated that there will be an inquiry by the secretary, steel and mines into the matter and that appropriate action will be taken against all those who are found guilty and no one will be spared,” the chief minister said while making a statement in the Assembly.
For the last four days, the House has failed to transact its business smoothly due to the protests by the opposition Congress and BJP members.
The Opposition claims that only a CBI inquiry can nail the culprits who have shown favour to the RBT Limited belonging to the ruling BJD and a section of bureaucrats.
In fact on Tuesday, separate delegations of the Congress and BJP had met Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare and submitted memoranda urging him to direct the government for a CBI probe into the mining scam.
The Opposition alleged that precious iron ore and manganese mines at Rugudi, Katasahi and Rudukela near Joda in the mineral rich Keonjhar district were given on lease to RBT Limited although the latter has gone into liquidation on July 31, 2008. They pointed out that some powerful and influential politicians as well as senior officials had connived to lease out the mines to the aforesaid company to make easy money.
The House, however, returned to normalcy in the afternoon session debated on expenditure relating to rural development.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Naveen-rules-out-CBI-probe-into-mining-scam/articleshow/4781198.cms
Coal India invites EOI for coal mining in foreign countries
15 Jul 2009, 1907 hrs IST, PTI
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MUMBAI: Coal India, a leading PSU with a status of Navratna, today, invited Expression of Interest for selection of strategic partners for
undertaking coal mining activities in foreign countries.
The EOI said it is looking for, "strategic partners in Australia, USA, South Africa and Indonesia for undertaking joint business initiatives in coal mining".
Like ONGC which has formed a separate division called ONGC Videsh to oversee oil and gas exploration activities in foreign countries, Coal India also has a division called Coal Videsh to facilitate its foreign operations and enhance energy security of the country.
Coal Videsh would be dealing with potential strategic partners for coal mining in the four identified countries.
According to the company's website, Coal Videsh would look for acquisition of virgin coal blocks, opening of new mines and export the produce to India.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods-Svs/Metals-Mining/Coal-India-invites-EOI-for-coal-mining-in-foreign-countries-/articleshow/4781018.cms
Mittal says Indian projects stuck due to delay in govt approvals
15 Jul 2009, 2251 hrs IST, PTI
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NEW DELHI: World's biggest steel maker ArcelorMittal's chief L N Mittal today said various projects of the company are stuck in the country
mainly because of delay in land and mining approvals by the government.
"These (delays in approvals) are disappointments ...in our steel industrywe are stuck at the land approval stage...mining licences also get delayed," ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO Mittal told private news channel CNBC TV18, and added that "we hope that these things get accelerated".
ArcelorMittal and another global steel giant Posco, which have proposed to set up three plants of 12 million tonnes each with a combined investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, are facing delays in acquiring land and environment and mining approvals to give shape to their plans.
ArcelorMittal has proposed setting up two 12-million tonnes plants, one each in Jharkhand and Orissa.
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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods-Svs/Steel/Mittal-says-Indian-projects-stuck-due-to-delay-in-govt-approvals-/articleshow/4781766.cms
Mining – International
Jindal Steel sets up office in Mongolia for mining activities
Thursday, 16 Jul 2009
PTI reported that Jindal Steel and Mesco Steel have shown a keen interest in mining activities in Mongolia.
Mr Voroshilov Enkhbold ambassador of Mongolia said "Several Indian companies namely Jindal Steel and Mesco Steel have showed a keen interest in mining projects in Mongolia. Jindal Steel has already set up its office in Mongolia.”
Mr Enkhbold said “Mongolia is one of the 10 richest countries having coking coal and iron ore reserves. The Mongolian government has recently drafted and finalized its mining policy.”
He said “In recent fast, overall economic growth in India and liberalization of the Mongolian economy create a favorable environment for strengthening bilateral trade and other economic links.”
He added that Mongolia's bilateral trade with India is expected to double to USD 32 million in the current year, adding that the steel mining projects may increase the trade to USD 100 million in the next 2 to 3 years.
He further added that the Mongolian economy is based on a stronger performance in the mining and quarrying, agriculture, hunting and forestry, retail trade, transport, storage and communications sectors
(Sourced from Press Trust of India)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/07/16/MTAyNTAy/Jindal_Steel_sets_up_office_in_Mongolia_for_mining_activities.html
Bring U.S. mining law into the 21st century
Federal lawmakers need to update the 1872 General Mining Act, which was written when the West was first being settled.
By The Denver Post
POSTED: 07/16/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
The nation's long-standing 1872 mining law is a relic, as the year it was enacted would suggest, and it needs to be revised to reflect modern times.
But the law has powerful protectors in Congress, whose opposition is going to have to be overcome.
We were glad to see Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Tuesday throw the weight of the Obama administration behind reform efforts. That support, along with backing from Western lawmakers, will be critical to efforts to bring this law into the 21st century.
The General Mining Act of 1872 was written in an era when the government was trying to encourage greater settlement of the vast Western frontier.
It allows mining companies to take hard rock minerals such as gold, copper and silver from public lands without paying royalties.
It also elevates mining above other uses, including watershed protection and recreation. Furthermore, it doesn't include adequate environmental protections.
Colorado has been among the states that have suffered the ill effects of abandoned mines that have polluted rivers and streams.
On Tuesday, Salazar went before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and said he sees "an emergence of bipartisan pressure to get this done."
It will take a powerful, bipartisan coalition to get around influential industry allies, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The senator's home state of Nevada has more mining than any other, and mining interests have been among Reid's campaign supporters.
Recently, Reid has signaled he is flexible to some revision. The key will be just how much he's willing to bend. This battle has been waged for decades, and once revisions are made, it would be exceedingly difficult, we think, to muster a coalition for another revision.
In other words, there likely will be just one bite at this apple.
The two major issues for mining interests are royalty rates and the ability of federal officials to essentially veto mining in environmentally sensitive or recreationally valuable areas.
But those who extract coal, oil, gas and even gravel from public lands already pay royalties, and hard-rock mining interests ought to pay their fair share. Existing mines ought not be exempted from paying royalties, as one bill proposes.
Mining reform also has to include reasonable protections for environmentally valuable land, and should put an end to the pollution caused by abandoned mines.
The political stars finally may be aligned for a much-needed update to this antiquated law. Now, our federal lawmakers need to step up and make sure the changes go far enough and make a real difference.
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_12845852
NO ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR MINING & ENERGY MINISTRY
BY ERICA VIRTUE, Observer writer virtuee@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
THREE months after Prime Minister Bruce Golding promoted James Robertson, and set up the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Permanent Secretary Marcia Forbes is lamenting the absence of an organisational structure.
Making her debut presentation to Public Administration and Appropriations Committee of Parliament, Forbes said failure to approve the structure of the ministry has prevented the hiring of staff.
"In fact, we moved from the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications, without an approved structure, into the Ministry of Mining and Energy, with still not an approved structure.
"This is something that gives me grave concern because we are substantially below staff in every area and if the member of parliament could help me to get this to be addressed quickly, I will be eternally grateful."
Forbes said this in response to a question from committee member Dr Morais Guy (Opposition).
Robertson was promoted after the reshuffling of the Cabinet, which did not find a space for then energy minister, Clive Mullings who held the portfolio for energy, and Derrick Smith, who had responsibility for mining and telecommunications.
Robertson previously served as minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Forbes said if the structure is approved, the bodies could be put in place ". and the work of the ministry can proceed as smoothly and as efficiently as possible".
And Forbes, in responding to committee member Ronald Thwaites (Opposition), said a part of the problem in the ministry had to do with timing.
"The ministry to my understanding has been desegregated quite a bit over recent times over the last several years. Posts are not clearly established.
Even as we speak, I am trying to get a handle on the exact posts that are under establishment for this new ministry, so it is work in progress; the ministry is three months old and even though I would like it to go quickly I understand the other demands that the Ministry of Finance faces," Forbes said.
Staff members, she added, have been working overtime to "keep things from falling apart".
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20090716T020000-0500_155513_OBS_NO_ORGANISATIONAL_STRUCTURE_FOR_MINING___ENERGY_MINISTRY_.asp
Rays of recovery - Anglo sees great signs of mining comeback
Thursday, 16 Jul 2009
Mining Weekly cited Mr Ben Magara ED of Anglo American as saying that there are great signs of a recovery in the mining sector with the copper price rising 76%, platinum 25% and oil 54%.
Mr Magara said that the mining sector was the right place for investors to be in general and the emerging markets in particular.
He added that although the coal price had fallen from USD 130 per tonnes, the current price of USD 60 per tonnes was the third best price in the last 10 years.
Mr Magara said that the fundamentals that had given rise to the recent mining boom were still in place and some USD 22 trillion was being budgeted for expenditure on global infrastructure, China alone contributing 43%. Mining represented 35% of the market capitalization of the JSE and 50% of South African rail use was mining based.
He said that Africa’s mineral resources positioned the continent well for taking part fully in mining growth.
(Sourced from miningweekly.com)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/07/16/MTAyNDc1/Rays_of_recovery_-_Anglo_sees_great_signs_of_mining_comeback.html
Capstone Mining says will meet 2009 production outlook
Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:48am EDT
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More Business & Investing News...
* Six-month production of 49.2 mln pounds of copper
* Sees Q3 to be below average production
* Sees Q4 to be above average production
* Genuity cuts Capstone to "hold"
July 15 (Reuters) - Capstone Mining Corp (CS.TO) said it expects to meet its full-year production forecast as production for the first six months from two of its mines was within its previously reported outlook for the year.
For the first six months ended June 30, the Canadian company reported total production of 49.2 million pounds of copper in concentrates, at an average cost of 93 cents per pound of payable copper, from its Cozamin Mexico-based mine and Minto Canada-based mine.
In May, the company had forecast 2009 production of 95 million to 105 million pounds of copper in concentrates at a total cash cost of $1 per pound.
Vancouver-based Capstone said it expects production to be below average in the third quarter but above average in the fourth quarter.
Separately, Genuity Capital Markets downgraded Capstone's stock to "hold" from "buy," while raising its price target on the stock by 30 Canadian cents to C$3.
"While we continue to like the Capstone story for its growth and exploration potential, the shares appear fairly valued at the current price level," analyst Nawojka Wachowiak wrote in a note to clients.
Shares of the company closed at C$2.90 Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Isheeta Sanghi in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel) ((isheeta.sanghi@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: isheeta.sanghi.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBNG50986520090715
China Copper Demand May Rise in October, Nippon Mining Says
By Masumi Suga and Yasumasa Song
July 16 (Bloomberg) -- China’s copper demand may rebound starting October as stimulus spending boosts economic growth in the world’s largest consumer,Nippon Mining & Metals Co. said.
Imports may recover to around 200,000 metric tons to 300,000 tons a month, after dropping during July to September, company President Masanori Okada, said yesterday, without giving a figure for the current quarter. The unit of Tokyo-based Nippon Mining Holdings Inc. holds a 66 percent stake in Pan Pacific Copper Co., Japan’s largest producer of the metal.
China’s copper imports may falter this quarter as state stockpiling slows and after record volumes boosted inventories ahead of the seasonally slow summer consumption period. Imports may drop to around 100,000 tons a month in July to December from an average 280,000 tons in the first five months, UBS AG analysts said in a July 6 report. The nation’s 4 trillion yuan ($585 billion) stimulus is helping to boost economic growth.
“China’s demand is expected to slow during the summer period after a sharp increase in the first half, but with the country’s huge stimulus package taking effect later this year, its imports will likely return to a normal pace,” said Yoshihiko Nagata, general manager at the Japan Mining Industry Association’s planning & co-ordination department.
China’s gross domestic product expanded 7.9 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier after a 6.1 percent gain in the previous three months, the statistics bureau said today.
Japan Exports
Japan’s copper cathode exports to China surged to 219,850 tons in January to May from 86,186 tons a year earlier, according to the Tokyo-based Finance Ministry. Total exports of the metal rose 87 percent to 323,587 tons in the period.
Three-month delivery copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.5 percent to $5,235 a ton at 1:01 p.m. in Tokyo curbing its gain this year to 71 percent.
Infrastructure spending and government subsidies to increase consumer spending on cars and flat-panel televisions would help boost China’s demand, Okada said in an interview.
“China has no choice but to stimulate domestic demand,” he said. “When they construct roads, electric wires are put up,” driving demand for copper, he said.
Refined metal imports were a record 337,230 tons in May, Beijing-based customs office data showed on June 22. Inbound shipments of copper and copper products increased to an all-time high of 475,999 tons last month, based on preliminary government data on July 10.
Metal Reserves
Imports of copper and copper products soared also as scrap supply plunged and the State Reserve Bureau probably boosted inventories. Caijing magazine reported in June that China has bought 235,000 tons of copper for strategic reserves this year, citing Yu Dongming, a Chinese government official. The country may not continue purchases of industrial metals after prices rebounded, the magazine said June 29, citing Yu.
Nippon Mining’s Pan Pacific smelting operations are close to settling mid-year copper processing fees with Melbourne-based BHP Billiton Ltd., the largest mining company, Okada said.
An offer from BHP of about $48.50 a ton for smelting and 4.85 cents a pound for refining was below the level required to make profits, Okada said.
Japanese smelters have tried to maintain the 2009 calendar contract level of $75 a ton and 7.5 cents a pound, Atsushi Yamaguchi, a Tokyo-based analyst at UBS said last month.
A deal with Pan Pacific would set a benchmark for Japanese smelters. The so-called treatment and refining charges usually drop when there is a shortage of raw material and smelters have to compete for deliveries.
Last year, Japanese smelters settled mid-year fees at around $42.50 a ton and 4.25 a pound, according to data compiled by the Japan Mining Industry Association.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a5KKbyjUXOvs
New U-mine under insider scrutiny
Meredith Booth
July 16, 2009 12:00am
AN INVESTIGATION is under way over possible insider trading activity in Alliance Resources shares before the Federal Government approved Australia's fifth uranium mine this week.
Alliance shares began rising before 2.44pm on Tuesday when Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced approval of the $90 million Four Mile mine in South Australia -- a joint venture between Alliance and US-owned Quasar Resources.
Unaware of the looming announcement, Alliance managing director Patrick Mutz later said he was "surprised, but pleased" with the outcome.
The company secured a trading halt on its shares at 2.59pm, saying it was "clarifying a recent news headline regarding the Four Mile uranium mine".
Those who bought shares at 68.5 after Mr Garrett's announcement, and before the trading halt was put in place, would have made a 43 per cent profit on their investment if they sold out at yesterday's peak of 98.
Alliance shares closed yesterday at 85 -- up 12, or 16.4 per cent, on the day.
Australian Securities Exchange spokesman Matthew Gibbs said the exchange would investigate "as a matter of course" possible insider trading activity in the stock before news broke on the mine's approval.
"We spoke to (Alliance) in the morning (pre-announcement) to seek their view on what could be moving the price but they were unaware of any news," Mr Gibbs said.
"This happens from time to time with third parties who aren't subject to our listing rules and make announcements that have a material effect on listed companies.
Four Mile is projected to be among the world's top 10 uranium mines.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25788082-664,00.html
Indonesia to send more police to Freeport mine
By NINIEK KARMINI – 10 minutes ago
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is deploying police special forces to U.S.-based Freeport's gold mine — the world's largest — after a wave of shootings at the remote facility, a police official said Thursday.
The attacks along a road to the mine that began Saturday mark the worst violence to hit Freeport's operations in restive eastern Papua province since the murder of three teachers, including two Americans, in August 2002.
At least 15 people, most of them police officers, have been killed or wounded along the 40-mile (65-kilometer) road from Freeport's sprawling Grasberg mining complex to the mountain mining town of Timika. Among those fatally shot was an Australian employee.
"We have decided to increase enforcement measures to restore security," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Sulistyo Ishak said.
Police special forces would be sent, along with army soldiers, but he did not say how many.
"The operation will be carried out by special forces with certain targets, for a specific period of time and with a special budget," he said, without elaborating.
Thousands of police and soldiers are already stationed in Papua, and community leaders around Freeport have been pressing for a smaller security presence, not a greater one.
Mindo Pangaribuan, a spokesman for the Indonesian subsidiary of Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., said the road where the attacks have taken place has been declared off limits to Freeport workers because of "security reasons." Around 20,000 people work at the mine, and many of their families live on site as well.
It was unclear how long the travel ban would last, but the company said it would not affect its business operations.
Since Saturday, assailants have shot and killed a 29-year-old Australian and a Freeport security guard, while a policeman fell to his death in a ravine as he sought cover.
On Wednesday, five police officers were injured by gunfire and taken to a Freeport-owned hospital, raising the number of wounded to 12, Papua's chief detective, Bambang Rudi, said Thursday.
They were shot in the stomach, hand and thigh when "they were sprayed with bullets," Ishak said, adding that they were all now in stable condition.
Investigators said they still do not know who is behind the shooting spree, but that the ammunition is standard military and police issue.
Authorities initially blamed the ambushes on Papuan separatists with the Free Papua Movement, OPM, who have waged a low-level insurgency for 40 years. But official statements now refer to "an armed group" of professional marksmen.
Several analysts have suggested that the violence is likely the result of a long-standing rivalry between paramilitary police units and soldiers competing for control of illegal multimillion-dollar protection and gold mining businesses around Freeport.
Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono asked people to refrain from speculating on police rivalry in comments to the Jakarta Foreign Correspondent's Club Wednesday. However, he said that "rouge elements" in the military might have a hand in the unrest.
"My own suspicion is there are criminal groups from within and outside Papua who have seen this as a lucrative business and it may be a battle over access," he said, estimating that illegal gold mining at the edges of Freeport's mining complex could earn a miner up to $3,500 per month — more than 35 times a minimum wage salary in Indonesia.
Papua, a desperately poor mountain province, lies some 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers) east of the capital, Jakarta. Since Arizona-based Freeport opened its operations under the U.S.-backed Suharto dictatorship in the 1970s, it has been targeted with arson, roadside bombs and blockades.
Many local activists are resentful because Freeport earns billions of dollars in profit from Papua's natural resources while the people remain overwhelmingly poor.
The province, known as West Papua during Indonesia's Dutch colonization, was gradually transferred to Indonesian rule in the 1960s after a stage-managed vote by community leaders. A highly militarized zone, it is off limits to foreign journalists.
Associated Press reporters Ali Kotarumalos in Jakarta contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Climate Change | Shift in stance could redefine India’s growth strategy
Padmaparna Ghosh
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New Delhi: The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has called for a high-level meeting next week to evolve a consensus to define a growth strategy for India that would also limit climate change.
The meeting was proposed after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after the recent Group of Eight meet in Italy that India, along with other countries, would have to be prepared to make some sacrifices so that the efforts to contain climate change are on course.
Singh was referring to the so-called business-as-usual (BAU) approach, where a country’s growth strategy does not take into account emissions and their impact on climate. This, he argued, was not sustainable.
The MoEF-initiated deliberations, due on 21 July, are critical not only because it will firm up India’s stand ahead of the crucial climate change negotiations scheduled in Copenhagen by the end of the year, but also because it would commit it to an energy consumption standard dictated by environmental concerns.
“Technically, BAU is your trajectory if you don’t undertake specific policy action on emissions. But just like when you are driving at constant speed, then that is your BAU. But if you accelerate, it changes immediately,” said Ambuj Sagar, Chaturvedi professor of policy studies at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
In other words, if a country accepts emission cuts, which is proportionately based on a committed growth trajectory, or BAU, then when the growth accelerates, it will have to commit to greater cuts in absolute terms. Experts maintain that for a developing country more susceptible to business cycles, such a commitment can be tricky.
“We have always had the problem of BAU. It is a difficult concept for developing countries; as demand changes, energy efficiency changes, choices change. So, how do we define what will happen?” asked a government official, who declined to be identified.
Experts are surprised at India’s change in stance, especially since the European Union, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has asked developing nations to commit to emission cuts of 15-20% below BAU levels by 2020.
India has steadfastly opposed emission cuts on account of climate change as it would retard its development and efforts to reduce poverty.
Several institutions and consultancy companies have projected various BAU scenarios. These include The Energy and Resources Institute, the World Bank, McKinsey and Co., National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and Integrated Research and Action for Development. Each of these is based on different assumptions and arrive at different conclusions on a desirable energy mix.
The NCAER model, for instance, says that India’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions will not exceed 2.77 tonnes in 2031 and a carbon tax will sharply increase poverty. The World Bank says that an integrated energy policy is the best and lowest-cost BAU level for India. McKinsey says solar energy will always be cost-ineffective.
“To do a long-term BAU is meaningless. Maybe for the next 10 years it makes sense, but not for 30 or 50 years. The approach of BAU remains a problem because it grandfathers the past, which is exactly why BAU might make India look good as India is becoming a more efficient economy but it makes the future tougher for us because it assumes continuing improvement in energy efficiency or carbon efficiency at the same rate,” Sagar said.
He added that he is sure the government is looking at other options as well. “You don’t need to necessarily look at deviation from BAU. You can also consider and pursue an approach of convergence to a certain level of energy intensity or per capita emissions. This should have been done five years ago.”
At the next big meeting of all countries in Copenhagen under the aegis of UNFCCC, the approach of BAU will be pursued as it gains traction with the developed world.
“But if the BAU does become a global standard then the world community will have to decide on a methodology,” the government official said.
padmaparna.g@livemint.com
http://www.livemint.com/2009/07/16003708/Climate-Change--Shift-in-stan.html?h=B
Challenges remain before climate change conference:UN official
Press Trust of India / United Nations July 16, 2009, 11:49 IST
With only 144 days left for the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen, a top UN official today said greater efforts are needed to ensure that countries "seal the deal" on a new pact to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing a press conference here, Director of the Secretary-General's Climate Support Team Janos Pasztor said the meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on July 9 made some headway on climate change but also highlighted areas where "we have a lot to do before we reach agreement" in Copenhagen.
Pasztor said the MEF meeting had agreed to establish a global partnership to drive transformational low-carbon, climate-friendly technologies, and promised to increase dramatically the necessary investments in research and development, with a view to doubling them by 2015.
Given the need for a significant scaling up of financial resources for both mitigation and adaptation, the MEF countries had also agreed to consider a "Green Fund" to that end, he said.
While having welcomed the G-8 agreement on a long-term goal of an 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050, the UN Secretary-General, he said, had cautioned that there was a need for ambitious mid-term targets and clear baselines.
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To that end, developed countries must reduce emissions by 25 to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, a requirement set forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Pasztor said.
The Secretary-General was disappointed that the mid-term emission targets announced by developed countries in MEF were not in that range, he noted.
Pasztor said the Secretary-General expected the high- level climate change event on 22 September to lay a strong and necessary foundation of trust among leaders. The Summit would provide a platform for Heads of State and Government to consider the key political issues to be addressed during negotiations leading up to success in Copenhagen.
The focus would be on interactive dialogue between Heads of State and Government during round table discussions. National statements would be delivered via pre-recorded video messages, he said.
Asked what the United Nations was doing to get developing countries to implement mid-term goals, even though countries like India and China had stated that they were awaiting action by the developed countries, he emphasised that the UN chief had stressed all along that all countries must make an effort on the basis of common but differentiated responsibilities.
He, however, said developed countries must be more ambitious in their emission targets and produce the financial and technological resources that developing countries needed.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/challenges-remain-before-climate-change-conferenceun-official/67891/on
UN urge world to seal the deal on climate change
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Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jul 15 (PTI) Five top UN officials have urged world leaders to "seal the deal" at Copenhagen in December on an ambitious new climate change pact aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
These officials yesterday signed the online petition, which will be presented to leaders at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gathering in Copenhagen, where negotiations are expected to wrap up on a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol, whose first commitment period ends in 2012.
The officials are - Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Michel Jarraud, Secretary- General of the World Meteorological Organisation, Kanayo F Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, and Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/174382_UN-urge-world-to-seal-the-deal-on-climate-change
Work productivity can lessen by 30 percent in Delhi: Climate report
Ians
July 15th, 2009
NEW DELHI - Among all other adverse effects that climate change can and has been bringing about is lessening work productivity, according to an Oxfam report which says the productivity in Delhi can drop by 30 percent because of the global warming.
The report, ‘Suffering the Science - Climate Change, People and Poverty’, said besides the more visible effects of climate change - the scanty rainfall these monsoons for instance - there are a whole lot of other implications that have been and will affect our lives.
The report estimates that climate change has contributed to an average of 150,000 more deaths than diseases per year since 1970.
It goes on to give examples of natural disasters like cyclone Aila which killed over 200 people in West Bengal and the drought like situation in Uttarakhand - the first time ever - as affects of climate change.
The report says: “People living in poor countries, particularly outdoor workers and agricultural labourers, are experiencing dramatic losses to their livelihoods and severe impacts to their health as temperatures rise across the globe.”
Agriculture and trade are also severely affected because of the shifting seasons, the report added.
Aditi Kapur of Oxfam India said: “The overwhelming bulk of evidence, from every corner of the globe, is right in front of our eyes and cannot be ignored. Finding a solution to climate change cannot be left to our grandchildren.”
http://blog.taragana.com/n/work-productivity-can-lessen-by-30-percent-in-delhi-climate-report-110314/
Water cuts hit JNNURM infrastructure works
TNN 16 July 2009, 06:26am IST
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PUNE: The 40 per cent cut in water supply has not only affected people residing in Pune, but has also affected the infrastructure works being
carried out under the JNNURM. All mechanical works that could damage drainage lines or water lines were stalled 15 days back.
After the irrigation department announced 40 per cent cut in water supply in the first week of July, the municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade announced that mechanical digging of roads or any other work related to infrastructure development will not be undertaken until the water crisis was resolved.
"We have put all digging work on hold as this could damage water pipelines and drains. With the prevailing water scarcity we wanted to avoid any leakage or damage to pipelines and waste water," said Vinay Deshpande, officer on special duty (JNNURM). He added that for the last fifteen days no digging work has been done.
"Majority of the works that have been stalled are road works. Even after water cut is withdrawn, we will have to wait till the monsoon is over," he said. However, Deshpande said that work on footpaths etc. would continue.
With the central government increasing the JNNURM fund allocation substantially by 87 per cent, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) now faces the challenge to acquire the sanctioned funds, complete pending projects and propose new ones.
Till date, the PMC has got Rs 2,440.65 crore sanctioned under the JNNURM. However, the actual funds received are only Rs 476.55 crore. The PMC has already utilised Rs 901.75 crore for completing the JNNURM projects and is now struggling to manage its accounts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Pune-Water-cuts-hit-JNNURM-infrastructure-works/articleshow/4782075.cms
Social audit of schemes under NREGA
TNN 15 July 2009, 11:16pm IST
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ALLAHABAD: In face of wide spread criticism regarding the effectiveness of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), district authorities
here have decided to carry out a social audit of all the schemes covered under NREGA. The audit would be carried out in order to bring about transparency in the expenditure incurred and the work carried out at the ground level.
The audit, slated to be conducted by senior district officials would also review whether the benefit reached directly to the job card holders or middlemen were involved in the practice.
District magistrate Rajeev Agarwal allotted 40 gramsabhas to various officers where they were expected to go personally and take into account every minute detail. He directed that officials should reach out to the masses and a video recording of the proceedings be prepared. During the course of the audit, it would be incumbent upon the officers carrying out the audit to read aloud the expenditures which had been made as per government records.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS-City-Allahabad-Social-audit-of-schemes-under-NREGA/articleshow/4781050.cms
The Big Question: Can India's tigers be saved or are they now doomed to disappear?
By Andrew Buncombe, Asia Correspondent
Thursday, 16 July 2009
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Officials at the Panna Nature Reserve in the state of Madhya Pradesh revealed this week that there were no longer any of tigers in the entire park
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Why are we asking this now?
This week officials at the Panna Nature Reserve in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the so-called tiger state, revealed that there were no longer any of the big cats in the entire park. After forest officials reported not sighting any of the animals for some time, a leading wildlife organisation carried out a survey. The state's forest minister, Rajendra Shukla, confirmed that the reserve, which three years ago had up to 24 tigers, no longer had any whatsoever. Almost all are believed to have been killed by poachers.
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Why is this so serious?
This is not the first time a prestigious reserve has reported that its tigers have disappeared. In 2005, it was revealed that all the tigers in the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan had also been killed by poachers. What makes this case different is that the problems faced by the park were regularly drawn to the attention of officials. A committee appointed by India's Supreme Court even warned of the potential peril facing the park and how Panna could see a repeat of what happened at Sariska. A report by the central government's forest ministry says "warning bells were sounded regularly for the past eight years" but that the local authorities did not take heed.
Dr Raghu Chundawat, an independent scientist who carried out an extensive tiger radio-collaring project in Panna and who repeatedly warned of their falling numbers, said: "We have been shouting about this for the past six years. There is a big problem. The state government is still refusing to listen."
What is the current strength of India's tiger population?
A census carried out on behalf of the government and handed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two years ago revealed that the total may be as few as 1,300 animals. The upper limit was put at 1,500. While there are no precise figures, some estimates suggest that the turn of the 20th Century, the population may have stood at 100,000. Some experts believe there may now be as few as two genetically viable populations of tigers in India, located in the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, which is said to have inspired Rudyard Kipling to pen The Jungle Book.
What is responsible for this decline?
The most pressing problem is the failure of the authorities to stop poaching. Tiger pelts and body parts still drive a huge market in China and elsewhere in East Asia where they are believed to have special medicinal powers. Campaigners say that a skin can fetch £5,300 while tiger penises, said to improve sexual prowess, can be sold for up to £14,000 per kilo. The authorities suffer from a lack of trained, properly-equipped forest guards. Salaries are low and motivation is often lacking. There are widespread suggestions of bribery and corruption.
Are there any other factors?
Another more long-term reason is the increasing lack of habitats for tigers. India's large, sprawling population is increasingly coming into contact with tigers, with often fatal results for man and beast alike. Without protected habitats, there is nowhere safe for these large, roaming animals to breed and live. Certain pieces of legislation, such as the Recognition of Forest Rights Act which grants some of India's most impoverished communities the right to own and live in the forests, only add to such clashes. Experts say all the evidence shows that tigers and humans cannot safely co-exist and unless there is a willingness to set aside designated, protected areas, than the tiger's chances are not good.
What else?
Another factor is the shortage of prey species. If deer and antelope are being poached, tigers may be tempted to kill livestock, something which pushes them into further confrontation with humans.
Is global warming playing a role here?
In the Sunderbans delta at the mouth of the Ganges there are reports of rising sea levels reducing the amount of land and driving the tigers northwards. This means they are increasingly moving into human settlements. Tigers have long been feared among the fishing and honey-collecting communities that survive in the delta. It's said that few will venture into the forest without wearing a human mask attached to the back of the head. It is believed that a tiger will never attack a human being face-on. Anecdotally, there are increased reports of tigers attacking humans in these areas.
What about tigers elsewhere?
It is not just in India that tigers are suffering. Over the past 100 years, tiger populations across the world have fallen by as much as 95 per cent and are now facing extinction within their last domains. Of the nine sub-species of tiger, three – the Caspian, Javanese and Balinese – are already gone. A fourth, the South China tiger, is already considered "functionally extinct" with perhaps fewer than 30 surviving in the wild. Elsewhere the Sumatran tiger is listed as critically endangered. The others – the Indochinese, the Malayan, the Siberian and India's Bengal tiger – all face massive threats.
What has the Indian government been doing to save tigers?
As far back as 1972 when then prime minister Indira Gandhi established Project Tiger, the value of saving this hugely symbolic animal has been recognised. Tens of millions of pounds has been spent in an often disorganised series of conservation efforts. Today there are more than 40 reserves. And some positive things are being done; last year, three tigers were airlifted into the Sariska reserve in an effort to try and restock the population. The government's National Tiger Conservation Authority – tasked with saving the animal – now wants to ban tourists from the centre of most of the country's reserves. Sab Prakash Yadav, the organisation's joint director, recently said: "Tourism creates a disturbance through vehicles, noise pollution, garbage and the need to provide facilities."
What is the mood among conservationists?
It is a mixture of despair and forced optimism. "This is a catastrophe," Belinda Wright, head of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said about the loss of the Panna tigers. "It just shows that have not learned any lessons from Sariska. The problem is the relationship between the central and state governments. It is pretty sordid story, actually."
So could the tiger population already be doomed?
Some experts say the small size of the population makes the future of the tiger scientifically unviable. However, such conservationists still chose to carry on their work in the hope of a miracle. Ashok Kumar, deputy chair of the Wildlife Trust of India, said it was essential that attention was paid to improving the training of forest guards, boosting their number and employing park directors who had the dedication to deal with the poaching problem. He said he was heartened by the government's current environment minister and that there were populations in several regions of India that were viable. He said: "The long-term future of the tiger can be saved."
Is there any chance of survival for the Indian tiger?
Yes...
* India knows the value of the tiger, and there appears to be determination to do something.
* Poaching has been stopped in other parts of the world.
* In the past couple of years, India has become educated about this. The census of 2007 may act as a wake-up call and lead to greater action.
No...
* Some experts believe the population is already too small for the animal to have a viable future.
* The authorities seem unable to stop poaching, either confronting poachers or those who trade in tiger.
* India's population is growing, putting more pressure on the natural habitats upon which the tigers rely.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/the-big-question-can-indias-tigers-be-saved-or-are-they-now-doomed-to-disappear-1748077.html
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