Mining – India 1
1. Seeking a balance in iron ore usage 1
2. India to amend mining law to address iron ore issues 2
3. Over 250 coal mines in forest land 3
4. Mindless mining continues in Jharkhand 3
5. Illegal mining rears ugly head in state, officials mum 4
6. Coal mining in degraded forest area 5
7. Centre warns Haryana, Rajasthan on mining in Aravali hills 6
8. Rise in Mining Projects 7
Mining – International 7
9. Jindal S&P in talks to buy SA coal mine for Rs 350-400 cr 7
10. Mine accident kills two, traps eight 8
11. Qld uranium mining 'inevitable' 9
12. Chinese Xiyang Group announces plans for Chita mine in Russia 10
13. 17 arrested in connection with Freeport mine shootings in West Papua 10
14. Ban Set on Mining Claims Adjacent to Grand Canyon 11
Other News 13
15. Catch-22 situation for tribes 13
16. Fishermen celebrate CMZ proposal 15
17. The Unfinished Agenda – Jean Dreze on NREGS 16
18. 43 industries get pollution notice 18
19. Pollution and emission of gases 19
20. Dam 'MoU virus' threatens Arunachal Pradesh 20
21. Many projects will not need environmental clearance any more 21
Mining – India
Seeking a balance in iron ore usage
Kunal Bose / New Delhi July 21, 2009, 0:15 IST
A debate that refuses to die away is whether irrespective of its being richly endowed with minerals, the country should persist with exports of iron ore. The subject is once again getting clouded as steel minister Virbhadra Singh is seeing merits in local steel makers’ demand that instead of exporting iron ore, India should be conserving the resource for future local use.
Singh says “If exports are to be made, it will be preferable to add value to iron ore and then sell steel products in the world market. Isn’t the US protective of its crude oil or China of its coking coal? There is a lesson for us in all this.” That the domestic steel industry has got Mr Singh’s ear is confirmed by reports that the steel ministry wants the government to reimpose 15 per cent duty on iron ore exports.
But according to R K Sharma, director general of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, “This will be a recipe for disaster. Pressured by steel makers, the government put a duty of that order on iron ore last year which saw rapid fall in exports. The levy caused anguish among importers of iron ore of Indian origin. The duty has since been withdrawn except for a 5 per cent ad valorem export levy on lump ore.” +Sharma thinks the majority of merchant iron ore mines will collapse if the government takes “punitive steps” to scale down exports. He wonders since our steel makers without mines linkages have the comfort of abundant supply of lump ore – usage of fines is miniscule here – what could be the provocation to once again come down on mine groups.
India’s two leading steel producers SAIL and Tata Steel get all the ore from their hugely rich captive mines. There are also some other steel makers who enjoy similar advantages. At the same time, the country has about 250 independent operating mines with areas ranging from a few hectares to 250 hectares. After meeting the requirements of fines and lumps of domestic steel makers without mines linkages, these mines export their surpluses.
If any proof is needed, our 2008-09 production of ore and its domestic use will show how without exports most of the merchant mines will face inevitable closure leading to loss of thousands of jobs. The location of mines being in distant centres virtually beyond the pale of civilisation, closures will deprive indigenous people of their livelihood.
India produced 220 million tonnes (MT) of ore in 2008-09 of which about 90 MT were used locally to make 54.52 MT of crude steel. Out of the exportable surplus of 130 MT, the country sold 105 MT in the world market. The year’s surplus does not include nearly 45 MT of fines accumulated over time at mine head.
No doubt, India’s export performance would have been better had not the government unadvisedly kept the 15 per cent export duty on ore for some months last year to the annoyance of importing countries, mainly China. Can exception be taken to exports when fines constitute nearly 90 per cent of overseas Indian ore shipments? In the absence of sufficient ore sintering and pelletisation capacity here, steel makers are mainly using lumps. Mr Sharma’s logic, therefore, is fines exports should not be resisted by the local steel industry and not discouraged by the government.
On the other hand, industry officials say India has an ambitious programme to lift steel capacity from 65 MT to 124 MT by 2012 and 300 MT by 2020. The attraction of building steel capacity in India is its high quality deposits of iron ore and this should not be bartered for some immediate gains.
Apparently, this is a convincing argument. But the fact also is, the country has iron ore resources of over 25 billion tonnes. The ballpark figure is for making one tonne of steel 1.6 tonne of ore is to be processed. So why should the country be worrying about shortages occurring in the next few decades? The size of Indian deposits will automatically go up as the government is considering a proposal to lower the cut off grade of ore from 55 per cent iron content to 45 per cent.
Mr Sharma says the government instead of discouraging exports should give a push to exploration and prospecting, including reconnaissance mission to find out deposits in still virgin ore-bearing centres. Banning exports is certainly not Singh’s case. Exercising control certainly is. SAIL chairman Sushil Roongta’s prescription that a balance is to be struck between steel industry’s long-term requirements and miners’ export compulsion is worth a close look. Mining being a sensitive subject, Roongta disapproves of doing anything in haste.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/seekingbalance-in-iron-ore-usage/364426/
India to amend mining law to address iron ore issues
Tuesday, 21 Jul 2009
With iron ore allotment to steel industries becoming a major concern, the Centre is all set to amend the mines minerals act to incorporate aspects like value addition to boost steel production in the country.
Mr PK Rastogi secretary in the union ministry of steel said “The ministry of mines is preparing the proposed amendments to be tabled in Parliament within 100 days.”
Stating that some steel manufacturing units are facing raw material problems, he said the amendment bill is likely to be tabled during the winter session of Parliament.
Mr Rastogi said ''Encourage value addition and discourage export of iron ore will be the policy as the country aims at producing at least 120 million tonne steel by 2012.''
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.”
(Sourced from Press Trust of India)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/07/21/MTAzMjAz/India_to_amend_mining_law_to_address_iron_ore_issues.html
Over 250 coal mines in forest land
Ians
July 20th, 2009
NEW DELHI - Two hundred and fifty-four proposals to divert 50,818 hectares of protected forest land have been approved by the government since the Forest (Conservation) Act was passed in 1980, parliament was informed Monday.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh informed the Rajya Sabha in response to a question that the maximum amount of protected forest land, 12,579.12 hectares, had been diverted for coal mining in Chhattisgarh, followed by Andhra Pradesh (12,709.62 hectares), Madhya Pradesh (10,980.37), Jharkhand (7,545.33), Orissa (2,899.99), Uttar Pradesh (1,984.83) and Maharashtra (1,815.09).
http://blog.taragana.com/n/over-250-coal-mines-in-forest-land-114775/
Mindless mining continues in Jharkhand
20 Jul 2009, 2259 hrs IST, Navtan Kumar, ET Bureau
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RANCHI: To survey or not to survey? That is the question that is now being hotly debated in Jharkhand. At a time when most experts feel that
getting a comprehensive survey/mapping done of the state’s vast mineral resources is the need of the hour, there are still others who differ, or indeed, feel that it is a task that cannot be undertaken by the state government. The situation thus remains in Jharkhand as it has for some time now — a classic case of “the blind leading the blind” as the state is yet to fully assess its wealth of natural resources.
Confusion had always reigned about Jharkhand’s mineral reserves. The state government has no exact database as to the quantum of natural resources in the state, especially in the virgin areas, and their exact locations.
In an ideal situation, the state should have formulated its mineral policy soon after its inception in 2000. But what happened in fact was that it took six years to formulate the policy during the Arjun Munda regime. Then too, it could not be notified as his government fell. End result: mindless mining continues without any real assessment of how much minerals the state actually has.
Little wonder then that two companies which were allotted iron ore mines in West Singhbhum, had to return them as they could not find ore there. Another company allotted iron ore mines got a shock when it discovered that the area actually falls under Orissa! All this has led to a realisation that there is an urgent need to get an exhaustive mapping done for Jharkhand’s vast mineral resources.
As per the last survey done in the late 80s, the state has a proven iron ore reserve of 3.7 billion tonne. And ever since its formation, the government has signed MoUs with as many as 62 steel companies! It’s not surprising that the government is now finding it a huge challenge to cater to their needs.
Senior BJP MLA Saryu Roy says it’s a pity the state does not have a mineral policy. “Recommendations are being made on the basis of eye estimations of junior-level geologists. References are taken from an old book dating back to the early 70s. Moreover, the mines and geology department does not have technically competent and qualified people, who can provide vision,” he says.
A senior official of a steel company says: “The government should also assess availability of land and water and then come out with a comprehensive database.”
Former chief minister Arjun Munda, who was instrumental in getting a large number of MoUs signed, strongly feels that the government should immediately get a detailed mapping done by Geological Survey of India (GSI) or some other potent agency.
However, there are others who still strike a discordant note. According to one stakeholder, there is no need for a fresh survey as GSI has already covered all the major reserves. “One should not expect a major change in the last few years. But yes, virgin areas should definitely be surveyed,” he observes.
According to the state’s mines secretary SK Satpathy, while the government has indicative reserves, the exact details should come from the companies which get prospecting license (PL) of a particular area. “Of course, mining leases should be given only to those companies which carry out the prospecting because they have invested so much into it. The Centre is making necessary amendments in the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in this regard,” he says.
Till then, the debate continues...
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods-Svs/Metals-Mining/Mindless-mining-continues-in-Jharkhand/articleshow/4800379.cms
Illegal mining rears ugly head in state, officials mum
;Statesman News Service
ROURKELA, 20 JULY: Mining is a big business and illegal mining is even bigger in the state. The mining belt in Sundergarh district is notorious for this trade. Day in and day out tons of precious minerals are lifted illegally in the district and ferried out under the nose of all those empowered to stop such activity.
Ever since the mining scandal has been exposed by the Opposition, the Naveen Patnaik government has been in firefighting mode ordering inquiries and promising action. But the fact remains that every mining officer, every transporter and political leader of the region was aware of the multi-crore illegal theft taking place across the mining belt of the state.
Official meetings had discussed the menace and even departmental probes had established the charge, alleged reliable sources. One of the allegations is that when a private player, who had applied for a mine, had drawn attention of the government to the ongoing illegal mining activity in the area, an inquiry was conducted. The allegation had been proven and on the basis of the report the private firm was allowed to guard the area. Now, it is being said that forest department officers had also reported about illegal mining activities on a regular basis. The Koira and Tensa region~ prominently known for the iron ore mining is the hot bed of illegal mining.
The situation is such that just adjacent to Koira region illegal excavators, both from Orissa and Jharkhand, are taking land on lease in the Badjamda area. In Tensa and surrounding regions too the situation is no different. According to some of the transporters, “to every 5 legal trucks there are two illegal trucks carrying the goods across”.
Policemen posted in such mining areas confided that it is extremely difficult to guard the area with its proximity to forests. Hundreds of tribals are engaged as labour and the police does not venture into such areas, he admitted. At times they simply stockpile the ore inside the forest area and transport it at night, he added.
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=261440
Coal mining in degraded forest area
________________________________________
15:28 IST
Rajya Sabha
So far, 254 proposals involving diversion of about 50,818 ha of forest land including degraded forests have been approved by the Central Government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Andhra Pradesh has diverted 12709 hactre forest land for 43 proposals whereasChhatisgarh has diverted 12579 hactre forest land for 49 proposals. Madhya Pradesh stands 3rd in this category diverting 10980 hectare forest land for highest number of 60 proposals.Jharkhand gave 7454 hectare of land for 57 proposals. The State-wise details are enclosed at annexure.
The Forest Survey of India classifies forests into Very Dense Forest (all lands having tree cover with canopy density more than 70%), Moderately Dense (all lands having tree cover with canopy forest density between 40% and 70%), Open Forest (all lands having tree cover with canopy density between 10% and 40%), and Scrub (all forest lands with poor tree growth mainly of small or stunted trees having canopy density less than 10 percent). The last two categories, namely, Open, and Scrub having forest canopy density less than 40% are commonly categorized as degraded forests. These forest areas have been identified by the Forest Survey of India.
Annexure
State-wise number of proposals, pertaining to coal mining, approved during 25.10.1980 and 16.07.2009 under the forest (conservation) act, 1980.
Case Status: Approved + In-Principle As on :16/07/2009
STATE / UT Number of Proposals Total Land Diverted (Ha.)
Andaman & Nicobar island 0 0.00
Andhra Pradesh 43 12709.62
Arunachal Pradesh 2 43.57
Assam 0 0.00
Bihar 0 0.00
Chandigarh 0 0.00
Chhattishgarh 49 12579.12
Dadar & Nagar haveli 0 0.00
Daman & Diu 0 0.00
Delhi 0 0.00
Goa 0 0.00
Gujarat 0 0.00
Haryana 0 0.00
Himachal Pradesh 0 0.00
Jammu & Kashmir 0 0.00
Jharkhand 57 7545.33
Karnataka 0 0.00
Kerala 0 0.00
Lakshdeep 0 0.00
Madhya Pradesh 60 10980.37
Maharashtra 13 1815.09
Manipur 0 0.00
Meghalaya 0 0.00
Mizoram 0 0.00
Nagaland 0 0.00
Orissa 23 2899.99
Pondichery 0 0.00
Punjab 0 0.00
Rajasthan 0 0.00
Sikkim 0 0.00
Tamil Nadu 0 0.00
Tripura 0 0.00
Uttar Pradesh 4 1984.83
Uttaranchal 0 0.00
West Bengal 3 260.03
Total 254 50817.949
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge)Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri K.E. Ismail, Shri R.C. Singh and ShriSyed Azeez Pasha in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=50624
Centre warns Haryana, Rajasthan on mining in Aravali hills
Published: July 21,2009
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New Delhi, July 20 The government today warned action against Haryana and Rajasthan if they did not take adequate measures to stop illegal mining in Aravali hills.
" There is a Supreme Court order that mining in Aravali hills is illegal. We have repeatedly asked Haryana and Rajasthan governments to stop it. I will speak to both the state governments and if nothing happens, we will take action," Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha.
To a supplementary on rampant construction of resorts and hotels in forest areas, Ramesh said,"as per the Forest Conservation Act 1980, Supreme Court&aposs sanction is required for use of forest area other purposes.
"However, no notice has been brought to my knowledge about any such activity taking place in forest areas. But, if I get information that forest cover is being removed for construction of hotels and resorts, then I will take action,"he warned.
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/628695/Business/4/20/4
Rise in Mining Projects
________________________________________
18:20 IST
RAJYA SABHA
The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri B.K. Handique said that his Ministry has accorded prior approval to 272 mineral concession proposals during the calendar year 2008 in comparison to 230 prior approvals during 2007. Eight States namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Orissa account for the largest number of approvals, numbering 260 in 2008.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Handique informed that since the enunciation of the National Mineral Policy in 1993, mineral sector has been opened up for private sector investment including foreign direct investment for non-fuel and non-atomic minerals, and there has been an increase in the number of applications as well as approvals.
The Minister added the New National Mineral Policy was announced in March, 2008. Consequential amendments in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Rules framed there under have not been carried out yet and as such the impact of the new Mineral Policy on the rise in the mineral concession approvals cannot be assessed.
The Government is committed to taking all necessary steps to encourage mineral exploration and mining activities in accordance with the National Mineral Policy, 2008.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=50666
Mining – International
Jindal S&P in talks to buy SA coal mine for Rs 350-400 cr
19 Jul 2009, 0118 hrs IST, Pramugdha Mamgain, ET Bureau
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NEW DELHI: Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) is acquiring a thermal coal mine in South Africa, a top company executive said. The
mine has reserves of more than 50 million tonne of thermal coal, which is mainly used in power generation. Though the deal size could not be ascertained, mining experts feel it could be between Rs 350-400 crore depending on the quality and grade. JSPL has interests in steel, power and mining.
“We have acquired a partially operational coal mine, which has proven reserves of around 30 million tonne. If explored further, total reserves could surpass 50 million tonne,” JSPL CEO Vikrant Gujral said. The mine was acquired from South African mining firm ESF, which has more thermal coal mines in its portfolio. The transaction is likely to be funded through a mix of debt and internal accruals.
The acquired thermal coal mine will enable JSPL to secure long term raw material requirement of its proposed power plant in Chhattisgarh while providing an option to sell the surplus coal through open access at spot prices. JSPL’s team in South Africa has already started identifying areas in the mine that have not been explored yet.
Jindal Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSPL, is setting up a 1,000-mw thermal power plant at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh with an investment of over Rs 4,500 crore. The parent company already owns open cast coal mines at Raigarh, which have reserves of around 100 million tonne. The mines meet coal requirement of the company’s existing captive power plant in Raigarh.
Several Indian steel firms, including JSPL, have been seeking coal assets in countries such as Canada, South Africa and Indonesia for the past several years due to lack of high quality coal in India. In 2007-08, India imported about 50 million tonnes of coal. The Planning Commission has estimated that demand-supply mismatch in coal may reach 200 million tonne by 2012, increasing country’s import-dependence.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News-by-Industry/Jindal-in-talks-to-buy-SA-coal-mine/articleshow/4794068.cms
Mine accident kills two, traps eight
Kea’ Modimoeng Published:Jul 21, 2009
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THE total number of mine deaths in South Africa since January is nearing the 100 mark after two fatalities at Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg operations yesterday.
Excluding the latest Impala fatalities, the official number recorded by the department of minerals and energy yesterday was 95.
According to earlier reports by the National Union of Mineworkers yesterday, eight workers were trapped underground at Implats Impala platinum after a “fall of ground” incident.
The incident occurred at about noon. The mining company later announced the death of two workers.
David Brown, Implats’ chief executive, said: “We are deeply shocked by this major incident and our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the people who lost their lives.”
By yesterday afternoon, rescue teams were still at the scene of the accident searching for seven employees who were unaccounted for.
All operations were immediately suspended at 14 Shaft.
Lesiba Seshoka, NUM spokesman, said the union was “very angry” and was eager to know the official cause of the accident.
“There are contradictions around the cause of the fatal accident as some are saying it is the fall of ground and some say it was due to the collapsing of the roof.”
He said the NUM will keep a close eye on the report.
“We believe that mines should carry responsibility for what happens in their operations.”
Last year, there were 168 fatalities in the mining industry from 221 recorded in 2007.
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1037207
Qld uranium mining 'inevitable'
By Paul Robinson and Maria Hatzakis
Posted 9 hours 24 minutes ago
• Map: Rockhampton 4700
Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says it is inevitable that uranium will be mined in Queensland.
Labor changed its long standing three mines policy in 2007 but the Queensland Government has stood firm in its opposition to uranium mining.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett last week approved a new uranium mine in South Australia.
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says he believes mining will eventually be allowed in Queensland.
"Just as there's going to be uranium mining on an increasing basis in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, we'll see uranium mining in Queensland in due course," he said.
Mr Ferguson has told a Resources Conference in central Queensland, uranium mining is no different to developing coal or liquefied natural gas.
"It's about supplying the energy needs of other countries," he said.
"We are energy rich, we do not need nuclear power, our responsibility is to mine uranium with safe hands and to guarantee that our uranium is used by countries that are only prepared to guarantee that it is used with safe hands."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/21/2631570.htm?section=business
Chinese Xiyang Group announces plans for Chita mine in Russia
Tuesday, 21 Jul 2009
China Securities Journal reported that private Chinese metals company Xiyang Group plans to develop a huge Russian iron ore mine from April 2010.
Mr Zhou Furen Xiyang chairman said the mine, located in Chita has proven reserves of 747 million tonnes and potential reserves of more than 1 billion tonnes.
He said that “Mine conditions are good for exploitation, with an average grade of between 40% and 55% and at the highest grade, 65%.”
Mr Zhou said Xiyang Group planned to build a steel mill close to the mine with a production capacity of 4 million tons of steel slab per year. He said that the integrated mining and steelmaking project was expected to be complete by the end of 2012, adding that the company would invest CNY 3.3 billion in the first phase.
According to the report, the company, which is based in the northern Chinese province of Liaoning projected 70% of the mine’s ore could be accessed through opencast working
(Sourced from China Securities Journal)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/07/21/MTAzMjEy/Chinese_Xiyang_Group_announces_plans_for_Chita_mine_in_Russia.html
17 arrested in connection with Freeport mine shootings in West Papua
July 21, 2009 02:55pm
UPDATE 3.45pm: POLICE have arrested 17 people near a massive gold mine where Melbourne man Drew Grant died in a hail of bullets.
As a private funeral was held for the Australian miner in Brighton in Melbourne’s southeast today, a police official has been quoted by Associated Press as saying 17 suspects had been held in connection with the attack at the world’s biggest gold mine. West Papua police chief Bagus Ekodanto told the agency the suspects were questioned in relation over the ambushes last week at Freeport's operations.
Mr Ekodanto said the suspects had been arrested on Monday not far from the mine.
At least 15 people, mostly police officers, were killed or wounded in attacks over a five-day period from July 11.
Grant, 29, of Melbourne, worked for the US-based mining giant Freeport McMoRan.
He was shot as he travelled in a car with four others, including another Australian, on a road between Tembagapura and Timika early on Saturday.
It is understood Mr Grant was heading with colleagues for a golf game.
A mate has told of the terrifying attack at a West Papua gold mine.
Lukan Biggs was driving the car when rebels opened fire.
Police said Mr Grant, who became a father nine weeks ago, was shot five times in the neck and chest from about 25m.
Mr Biggs has told friends the rebels opened fire without warning on Saturday.
"He (Mr Biggs) is pretty shaken up," a friend said.
"I know he is physically OK, but he was very worried. He just wants to sort things out over there with the police and everything."
An armed clash yesterday near the same spot left one security guard dead and five injured.
Mr Ekodanto has previously said rebels using military-issue weapons planned the ambush that killed Mr Grant, a project manager at Freeport, reputed to be the world's biggest gold mine.
Indonesian authorities have denied suggestions military or police officials may have been involved in the attacks.
"The shooting was planned," he said. "(It's) clear they were using weapons belonging to the police or the military."
Mr Grant's Melbourne family were in shock yesterday. He had only been back in Indonesia for a week after visiting his nine-week-old daughter.
He was a doting father to baby Ella and a devoted husband to Lauren, his brother Nick said, adding that Drew loved his job.
"Everyone's just in shock because it's so sudden. I don't think they've comprehended yet what's actually happened."
Mr Biggs is an electrician at Freeport. A popular cricketer who once played for Templeton in the Ringwood league, he has been working at the US-owned mine for five years.
He was driving to a golf club on Saturday with his Indonesian wife and three others when ambushed. Only Mr Grant was struck by bullets.
Two Australian Federal Police officers have joined 40 Indonesian police and forensic specialists investigating the ambush.
Freeport has been a source of friction, with locals angered at the outflow of profits to foreign investors, while they remain poor.
The mine has been targeted by arson, roadside bombs and blockades in the poor and remote mountain region since the ‘70s.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25814541-663,00.html
Ban Set on Mining Claims Adjacent to Grand Canyon
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By FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: July 20, 2009
In a modest victory for environmentalists, the Obama administration said Monday that it was designating nearly one million acres of Arizona land near the Grand Canyon off limits to new uranium mining claims for two years.
In a statement, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said his department was acting “to ensure we are developing our nation’s resources in a way that protects local communities, treasured landscapes and our watersheds.”
Environmental groups like the nonprofit Grand Canyon Trust in Flagstaff, Ariz., have argued that extensive mining operations could contaminate the watershed around the canyon, particularly streams that flow directly into the canyon or into the Colorado River.
Last year the House Natural Resources Committee voted to put the acreage off limits to new mining claims. But the Bush administration disputed the committee’s authority and said it would continue to leave the lands open to new claims.
Mr. Salazar’s decision will not block development of mines whose claims have already been validated.
Some of the 10,600 existing claims within the acreage could thus end up as mining operations if the ore can be profitably extracted. Many of the current claims were filed when the price of uranium soared in 2006 and 2007.
In 2007 the price reached $130 a pound; today uranium is selling for about $50 a pound. From 2005 through 2008, about 3,000 new mining claims were filed in areas near the Grand Canyon.
New mining claims will be barred in three sections of land: one to the north of the canyon, stretching near the Utah border; another bordering a Navajo reservation and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument; and a third south of the canyon in the Kaibab National Forest.
Roger Clark, a land-use expert with the Grand Canyon Trust, called Monday’s decision “a good first step” and said he hoped the moratorium would become permanent. That is the goal of legislation pending in Congress called the Grand Canyon Protection Act.
A House subcommittee hearing on the bill is scheduled on Tuesday.
Mr. Clark also called on the government to take a second look at the environmental reviews that justify existing claims, some of which he said were years out of date.
Ron F. Hochstein, the president of the Denison Mines Corporation, a Canadian company that is about to start three mining operations in the excluded areas, said the decision would have no immediate practical effect on its operations. “We are planning to move forward,” Mr. Hochstein said.
He said the impact of the decision on the mining industry was “more psychological,” reinforcing what he called “an absolutely incorrect impression” of the environmental impact of uranium mining.
Board Approves Drilling Leases
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A federal appeals board has cleared the way for oil and gas drilling around prehistoric ruins in southern Utah.
Rejecting an appeal filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Interior Board of Land Appeals ruled that the federal Bureau of Land Management had taken appropriate safeguards in granting leases in 2006 for drilling in the Monticello area.
The area is near crumbling cliff houses, eroded pit houses and cave sites with prehistoric storage boxes made of stone slabs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/us/21mining.html?_r=1
Other News
Catch-22 situation for tribes
Adivasis and forests: Karnataka is home to over 50 indigenous groups. But the adivasis find themselves in a piquant situation today. Loss of tenural rights over forests, lack of food security and a high degree of dependency on wage labour have left them languishing at the lowest strata of society, writes Kunal Sharma
Forests across the state have a significant percentage of adivasi population dependent on natural resources for their livelihood. These diverse communities have had a symbiotic relationship in the past, but are now fragmented and few in number yet strung together culturally. The more than 50 indigenous groups who reside in the forests of Karnataka have lived in these regions for countless years.
Often, forests mean many things to many people. They are sources of food for some, trove of medicinal plants for others and valuable economic sources of timber for many.
All these are traditional demands that have been met by the forest since life began on earth. There would infact be very few forests that do not provide benefits to either man or animal, in one way or the other. This role of the forest as a mutual agent of assistance is acknowledged by millions countrywide.
Adivasis began using forest resources many centuries ago, as a result of which, their indigenous and ethno-botanical knowledge of their surroundings is immense and diversified.
Numerous instances have been documented wherein the adivasis show precise knowledge with respect to the properties of a particular plant.
Traditionally, they used to harvest species based on a time tested schedule resulting in minimal harm to the harvested species. Besides, adivasi paintings and oral tradition continually make a mention of their relations with the forest.
Traditional vaidyas (doctors) are still the mainstay for indigenous people and their services made great use of.
Need to preserve NTFP resources
This reciprocal relationship underscores the importance and need to preserve Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) resources.
They collect NTFPs for trade, honey being one of the major items.
Other items collected for trade are mainly resin, gooseberry, myrobalans, soapnut, eecham grass, wild pepper and nutmeg, etc. The collection is a major source of seasonal livelihood for the people.
Traditional and cultural uses of the forests are also high for most adivasi communities. Their deities live in the forests, with the ensuing protection often resulting in large tracts being nurtured as ‘sacred groves’. The rules for the use of such forests are strictly governed by the community and punishments meted out to those who violate the unwritten law.
However, the indigenous tribes of the state find themselves in a piquant position today. From the hitherto generations-old custodians of the forest to being frequently branded as the single biggest reason for resource degradation – most members of the various forest dwelling tribes wonder where are they going to end up in the coming few decades.
Material poverty
In spite of living in resource rich areas, they suffer from what can be termed material poverty.
Surrounded by relatively prosperous communities of outsiders, indigenous people feel a deep sense of apathy at their present condition and often tend to blindly follow the ways of the dominant and richer communities.
This has had an impact on their culture, food and overall lifestyle. The vicious cycle including factors like loss of tenural rights over forests, lack of food security and a high degree of dependency upon wage labour has led to a breakdown in their community governance systems and to an increase in indebtedness to money lenders.
Hemmed in by all sides, adivasis continue to languish at the lowest strata of society. Their present skills leave them ill-equipped to work in the normal structure of mainstream society and poor education levels often mean that all they end up with work as wage labourers.
It is a catch 22 situation and life has gone haywire for most members of these communities. The tenuous links with ancient forests is weakening rapidly, but they are ill at ease with the modern world.
Just as it is necessary to provide a safe refuge to diverse fauna, it is also difficult to ignore the communities who have traditionally lived by the forests and accessed it for their livelihood.
Can they be made partners in forest management and continue to protect its resources, undertaking the least damaging activity of NTFP collection, rather than large scale mutilation of forest regions? These are a few questions that beg serious discourse as involving them in forest protection is seemingly the best way ahead, as opposed to their ever-increasing dependence upon wage labour – a highly exploitative occupation.
The indigenous tribes of the state, if made modern day guardians, will result in them being the pre-eminent defenders of the forest, augmenting the efforts of the solitary forest guard, significantly.
(Kunal Sharma is a published author)
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/14857/catch-22-situation-tribes.html
Fishermen celebrate CMZ proposal
;Biswabrata Goswami
DIGHA, 20 JULY: After voicing their protests for years against the Union environment and forest ministry’s alleged attempt to replace the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification with a more corporate-friendly Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification, the fishing communities living along the coastal areas (in the photograph on right) are now enjoying victory.
The fishing community here had feared displacement from their territory, but the Centre on Friday said that it would soon frame a ‘reformed and scientific version’ of the Draft Coastal Management Zone 2008, which would be allowed to lapse on 22 July.
Dr MS Swaminathan, chairman of the expert committee on the draft CMZ notification, in his letter to the Union environmental minister Mr Jairam Ramesh, said: “We urge that the Coastal Management Zone Notification of 2008 may be allowed to lapse. Keeping the CRZ Notification, 1991 as the basic framework, suitable additions or amendments may be made taking into account the new challenges likely to arise from the rising of the sea level, due to climate change and the growing pressure of the population on coastal resources and biodiversity. The lives and livelihoods of nearly 25 per cent of our population are living within 50km of the shoreline, and nearly 10 million fisher-folk will depend upon the decisions we take now to develop enforceable regulations for integrated attention to both ecological and livelihood security. We thank you and the officials of the ministry for the support extended to us to complete this task within a month.”
Mr Harekrishna Debnath, chairman of the National Fish Workers Forum who led the series of protests of the fishermen across the nation against the alleged attempted CMZ implementation, said: “This is a victory of our unified movement against the CMZ. The government has realized that the introduction of a CMZ will not be fruitful unless it respects the basic rights of fishermen. We are happy now because the ministry has agreed to make necessary amendments to the existing CRZ that will ultimately benefit the fishing community.”
According to the reports submitted by Dr Swaminathan, within the next two months, five public hearings at five coastal points would be held across the country to discuss areas of improvement of the existing CRZ enacted in 1991 to protect the ecosystem and habitat of India's coast for conservation and livelihood security.
“The reform would not interfere with the traditional and customary rights of fishing communities. We have suggested upping checks on violations of the CRZ through improved space technology-enabled enforcement,” Dr Swaminathan highlighted in his report.
Mr Bakul Bar, a fisherman at Haripur in Contai, said: “All us fishermen here were very happy when were informed about the report by our leaders. As the concept of the CMZ has been cancelled, the proposed nuclear plant at Haripur and illegal constructions at Mandarmoni will also not be implemented.”
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=22&theme=&usrsess=1&id=261515
The Unfinished Agenda – Jean Dreze on NREGS
Development economist Jean Dreze, an Indian of Belgian origin, was a key influence in the original design of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). Here, he talks about the idea behind the scheme and the loopholes that need to be plugged
by Udit Misra | Jul 20, 2009
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"NREGA is significantly different from schemes of cash transfers which are sometimes advocated as an alternative"
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What led to the idea of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)?
There are two important ideas behind NREGA. One is that assured employment is an important form of social security for a country like India. In Western countries, social security is based mainly on unemployment allowances, something that would be difficult to do in a country like India.
But there is a rich experience of social support through public works programmes in India, especially in the context of drought relief in states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra. NREGA builds on this experience of employment-based social assistance.
The other idea was to place employment schemes in a rights framework. One that gives legally enforceable entitlements and enables people to put pressure on the system to deliver on matters such as employment on demand, payment of minimum wages and so on. This process has been very crucial for the success of NREGA.
Why was there a need for NREGA?
The need for social assistance cannot be denied. More so now, when the Indian economy has been growing very rapidly with increasing inequalities… because a lot of this growth is going to the richer sections of the population. There is an urgent need for some kind of redistribution mechanism in the economy and NREGA serves this purpose very well.
What is the central idea behind NREGA? Is it providing social security or is it providing employment?
It is more than both. Although NREGS is primarily aimed at providing social security, it is not just about income support. Fundamentally, it is a multi-purpose programme aimed at creating productive assets, empowering women, reviving the local economy, strengthening institutions of local self governance, reducing distress migration and protecting the environment, among other goals. It is important to see the multi-purpose aspects of the programme.
This is one reason why NREGA is significantly different from schemes of cash transfers which are sometimes advocated as an alternative. If it was only a matter of income support, then there might be an argument for cash transfers, but when you acknowledge the multiple purposes of the programme, I think the case for NREGA becomes much stronger.
The performance of the NREG Scheme (NREGS) has been varied over the states. There are many examples of non-Congress ruled states performing better. Similarly, one finds that many states, like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, which rank low on social-economic development and are expected to make better use of NREGA, haven’t really done so. How do you explain the variance in performance across the states?
I don’t think there is a simple correlation between the ruling political party and the quality of implementation of NREGS. For each party, we can find some of the states governed by them doing well and some others doing not so well. For example, BJP has done well in Rajasthan but not in Gujarat. Congress has done well in Andhra Pradesh but not in Maharashtra and CPI (M) has done well in Tripura but not in West Bengal. So, there is no simple association.
But there is an issue of preparedness of the system. Rajasthan has benefited greatly from a very long experience of implementing drought-relief programmes, almost every year for more than a century.
Then of course, there are issues of local politics which are not connected in a simple way with political parties. The fact is that some states showed a strong commitment to NREGA early on, owned the programme and tried to make it work, for instance Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Some states initially had no interest and more or less rejected the programme, like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. These are also states that have high levels of corruption and poor governance. These factors are obviously big hurdles in the implementation of a complex programme like NREGS.
But over time most state governments and political parties learned to recognise the value of the programme and its popular appeal. So, we are beginning to see a convergence in terms of political interest in the programme.
Overall, are you happy with performance of NREGA?
I don’t think my happiness matters. I'll be happy when the workers are happy. And I don’t think they are happy yet, even though NREGA has wide popularity.
The last few years were bound to be a learning phase. And it has led to major improvements in the implementation of public works programme across the country. As long as there is sustained improvement, there is hope in the possible success of NREGA.
Of course, the standards of implementation are still very low in many states and to varying extents in almost all states. But the experience of the last few years has confirmed the fundamental soundness of the programme and the possibility of implementing it in letter and spirit. And where this has happened, NREGA has made a big difference to people’s lives.
You have travelled across the states and witnessed ground level implementation of the scheme. As the UPA government starts another term, what are the main lessons?
The most important thing to focus on at this time is the need for stronger grievance redressal mechanisms. The whole vision of NREGA will collapse if people have no means of enforcing their entitlements under the Act, whether it is the right to work on demand, or to minimum wages, or to payment within 15 days. Unfortunately, all the grievance provisions of the Act have been quietly sidelined. For instance, with rare exceptions, the unemployment allowance has never been paid, penalties have never been imposed on officials who don’t do their duty and workers have never received compensation for delayed wage payments — all of which are mandatory under the Act. Neither the central government nor the state governments have shown much interest in making themselves accountable to the workers.
So, taking grievance redressal seriously is an important part of the unfinished agenda of NREGA. For example, there have been massive delays in wage payments in recent months, but people don’t know what to do and where to go when there are delays. Under the Act, they are entitled to compensation of up to Rs. 2,000 if wages are not paid within 15 days. We were able to activate this compensation clause in one isolated case in Jharkhand, but this should actually become the routine. The state governments get away with long delays because the compensation clause has been quietly ignored. Workers are certainly not aware of it.
How do you ensure that grievance redressal is taken seriously?
It is the government's responsibility under the Act to formulate and enforce strong grievance redressal rules, including, for instance, penalties against officials who don’t do their duty. It is also important to create greater consciousness about legal rights among NREGA workers because they have the strongest stake in fair implementation of the Act. For example, before, NREGA minimum wages existed only on paper. In reality they were never paid. Now, the payment of minimum wages is becoming a matter of routine because NREGA workers are not willing to take less. So, this is one area where workers’ awareness has helped. The same can happen with other entitlements, including for instance, basic facilities at the worksites.
What about monitoring NREGS?
The Act includes certain provisions for independent monitoring but they have been quietly ignored. For instance, the Central Employment Guarantee Council was supposed to act as a national watchdog for NREGA, with a substantial degree of autonomy, wide powers and a broad mandate. But, in fact, the council is treated as a toothless advisory body. So, it has been very ineffective.
At the moment, most of the feedback comes from the official monitoring and information system, which is very useful but has severe limitations. It is just a compilation of official statistics, which needs to be validated through independent investigations such as household surveys and worksite inspections. Again, there are provisions for this in the law, but they haven’t been taken seriously.
http://business.in.com/interview/magazine-extra/the-unfinished-agenda/2632/1
43 industries get pollution notice
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar July 21, 2009, 0:30 IST
The Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) issued show cause notice to 43 mines in the state for violation of environmental norms during 2008-09.
These environmental violations were recorded under various norms of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said.
The errant industries included both the public sector and private sector entities. They were Orissa Mineral Development Corporation (OMDC), Ferro Alloys Corporation (Facor), Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), Essel Mining Industries, Shiv Cement, Tata Refractories, Pattanayak Minerals, United Minerals to name a few.
OMDC was issued the show cause notice for Belkundi iron amd manganese mines located in Keonjhar in April last year. MCL was served notice for Basundhara open cast project (OCP) in Sundergarh and Balaram OCP located at Angul. Similarly, OMC was served notice for violation of the environmental norms at Daitari iron ore mines in Keonjhar district.
Tata Steel was issued the notice for its Chromite mines at Sukinda in Jajpur district in June last year. The notice on Facor was issued on 15 July 2008 for violation of the water and air pollution act.
Essel Mining and Industries was issued notice in November last year for Jilling Longlota iron and manganese mines located at Jajang in Keonjhar district. Other lessees who were issued show cause for violation of water and air act included Pattanayak minerals, AMTC Private Ltd, K C Pradhan, O M & M private Ltd, United Minerals and Basudev Agarwal.
On the other hand, the pollution control board granted consent to 96 mines lessees from 2001 till date. The consent was given either for raising the existing capacity of the mines or start new mining operation.
ICCL chromite mines, Sukinda chromite mines at Sukinda, Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Orissa Cement Ltd., Rungta Mines, Balasore Alloys, Bolani ore mines, Ostapal chromite mines of Facor, Kalinga Mining Corporation, Idcol Kalinga Iron Works Ltd, Bharja minerals, Patabeda iron and manganese mines, Guali iron ore mines, Kaniha OCP of MCL, Nayagarh iron ore mines, OMC and Unchabali iron and manganese mines were granted consent to establish at different times by the pollution control board.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/43-industries-get-pollution-notice/364421/
Pollution and emission of gases
________________________________________
15:10 IST
Rajya Sabha
The concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere are leading to global warming and the govt. is aware that due to pollution and emission of gases the climate is changing in general all over the country. The analysis of data for the period 1901-2008 by IMD suggests that annual mean temperature for the country as a whole has risen by 0.52oC over the period. Spatial pattern of trends in the mean annual temperature shows significant positive (increasing) trend over most parts of the country except over parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar, where significant negative (decreasing) trends were observed.
India is signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, and also has various partnerships with other countries under the UNFCCC. While India does not have any Green House Gases (GHG) abatement commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, a range of policies and programs have been followed that include improving energy efficiency & conservation as well setting up of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, power sector reforms, promoting hydro and renewable energy, promotion of clean coal technologies, coal washing & efficient utilization of coal, afforestation and conservation of forests, reduction of gas flaring, use of cleaner and lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport, encouraging mass rapid transport systems and environmental quality management. These measures help achieve better energy intensity while addressing climate change as co-benefit.
As per Geological Survey of India, majority of the Himalayan glaciers are melting (receding) at varying rates during the twentieth century. Recession of glaciers is a complex phenomenon which may result due to several factors including rise in temperature, amount and time of snowfall in the catchment, higher temperature during summer, less severe winter or a combination of all of them. Thus, it is not possible to specify the role played by the rise in temperature alone in this shrinkage. The recession of glaciers may lead to reduction in the ice reserves of the glaciers, besides changes in the river hydrology, enhanced silt and debris production, ecological disturbances, rise in sea level, etc.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri O.T. Lepcha in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=50614
Dam 'MoU virus' threatens Arunachal Pradesh
The MoU virus took speed in the five months preceding the Lok Sabha polls and major private players who signed MoAs in this period include the Jindal and Reliance. Jindal signed agreements for two projects totaling 4500 MW in December 2008.
CJ: Nanda Dewan ,
Tue, Jul 21, 2009 11:04:07 IST
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Arunachal Pradesh News :
Juguar-like animal found in Arunachal Pradesh
ARUNACHAL CITIZENS' Right (ACR) have raised concern about the rapid pace at which the state government has signed Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) with hydropower companies in recent times. As per an RTI reply to the Arunachal Citizens’ Rights (ACR), the state government has signed MoAs for 103 hydropower projects for a total of 30,000 MW since February 2006. Thirty one of these MoUs/MoAs were signed in just five months before the Lok Sabha polls, each accompanied by huge monetary advances. The state plans to sign a total of 135 MoAs for 57,000 MW.
The former minister of state for power, Jairam Ramesh, had referred to this phenomenon as a ‘MoU virus’ in May 2008. But the state government has only speedened up the process since, while New Delhi has been rapidly granting central clearances. For example, in the last two years the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given pre-construction clearances to 33 projects and final environmental clearance to one project in the state, not rejecting even a single project! Arunachal is an ecologically and geologically fragile, seismically active and culturally sensitive state.
Two out of the three global biodiversity hotspots, which cover India traverse the frontier state: Himalaya and Indo-Burma. The state is home to a diversity of small populations of indigenous (tribal) communities, whose rights have been protected through constitutional and legal protection, particularly with respect to land rights and restricted entry of outside persons in the culturally sensitive indigenous territories. However, local communities’ feel that the large dam juggernaut is in contradiction to these safeguards.
A major concern is the influx of 4-500,000 outside workers to build 135 dams, which is likely to upset the demographic and socio-cultural fabric of the tribal state. Since these mega dams are long gestation projects, presence of such a large work force for long periods will also put a severe pressure on the rich forests of the state, huge areas of which will also be lost due to submergence.
Compensatory mechanisms put in place will also involve converting large areas of unclassified state forests (under community control) into protected forests (under state control). Thus indigenous communities will see a major undermining of their rights over the entire landscape. Public consultation and green clearances have been reduced to a farcical cosmetic exercise as project developers have already paid huge advances at the time of signing agreements. Cumulative upstream and downstream impacts of so many large projects have also been ignored.
The MoU virus took speed in the five months preceding the Lok Sabha polls and major private players who signed MoAs in this period include the Jindal and Reliance. Jindal signed agreements for two projects totaling 4500 MW in December 2008 and paid an advance of Rs 297.5 crores to the state government.
Other Articles by Nanda Dewan
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Reliance Energy Ltd signed agreements for four projects totaling 2520 MW in March 2009 and paid Rs 98 crore as advance. Reliance had already signed two agreements earlier in 2006, one of which (1000 MW Siyom) was taken away from state-owned NHPC Ltd and given to the private company. The two projects worth 4500 MW signed by Jindal were also earlier awarded to state owned NTPC, but were taken away as they could not pay upfront advances demanded by the state government.
Conflicts over the dams (including in downstream areas) have exploded in the last two years. Youth asking for ecologically and socially sensitive development in the state have been at the forefront of local movements. Activists have appealed to the citizens’ of this country to intervene before the dam ‘MoU virus’ destroys the peaceful state. They have also appealed to the state and Central governments for a moratorium on new agreements and clearances to large dams in the state.
http://www.merinews.com/article/dam-mou-virus-threatens-arunachal-pradesh/15776549.shtml
Many projects will not need environmental clearance any more
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) The government is finalising a bill to set up a National Green Tribunal (NGT), Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh informed parliament Monday.
"The NGT intends to reduce the load of environmental cases, of civil nature, pending in higher courts and to help in speedy disposal of such cases," Ramesh informed the Rajya Sabha in response to a question.
"Since the NGT is proposed to have judicial as well as expert members, it is likely to result in effective disposal of environmental cases which involve multi-disciplinary issues," he added.
MP A.B. Kshatriya had sought to know the number of environmental cases pending in courts around India. In reply, Ramesh wrote: "As environmental cases are inter-sectoral and cross-cutting in nature, it is difficult to exactly quantify the same."
New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Many projects will no longer need environmental impact assessment (EIA) and clearance from the government, according to amendments to EIA rules proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh informed parliament Monday that the proposals included:
* Threshold limits of construction projects (that require clearance) would be raised from 20,000 to 50,000 square metres
* Modernisation and expansion projects without increase in pollution load would be exempt from EIA provisions
* Prospecting of minerals would be exempt
* Biomass based power plans up to 50 MW would be exempt
Ramesh informed the Rajya Sabha in response to a question that the amendments envisaged more involvement of civil society groups in environmental clearance.
IANS
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=136098
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