Mining – India 1
1. CDM projects of NALCO under Kyoto protocol cleared 2
2. “Walk the talk”: Hindus tell Church of England 3
3. Where there is a will, there is a mine! 4
4. Anglican Church in India mine row 5
5. Goa to close all illegal mines 6
6. SAIL to invite fresh tenders for Tasra coal mine, washery 7
Mining – International 7
7. PNG mining chief halts nickel operations 8
8. PNG mining chief halts nickel operations 9
9. AngloGold Studying A$520 Million Gold Mine Venture in Australia 9
10. Stage set for uranium mining to begin, says Ngeleja 10
11. Zim withdraws mining bill 11
12. China, Australia to develop mine 12
13. LIFE WITHOUT BAUXITE 13
Other News 15
14. India not to commit to legally binding climate change agreement 15
15. 795 795 Projects covering 1.58 million hactare approved in 28 states for nap schem 16
16. Employment for economically weaker sections 16
17. Death of Tigers in Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve 17
18. National Mission on Empowerment of Women 18
19. Welfare of Girl Child 18
20. Measures to check domestic violence and child marriage 19
Mining – India
Necessary environmental safeguard measures stipulated while granting environmental clearance to mining projects
________________________________________
15:21 IST
Rajya Sabha
Policy to maintain environmental balance in view of arbitrary exploitation of minerals from hills and rivers is under implementation in the country.As per the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, mining projects with lease area of 5 ha and above are also required to obtain prior environmental clearance. These projects are appraised by a multi disciplinary Expert Appraisal Committee constituted for the purpose, based on the detailed environment impact assessment study carried out by the project proponent, which inter-alia include the likely impacts of the proposed project on different components of the environment and the requisite Environment Management Plan. The necessary environmental safeguard measures are stipulated while granting environmental clearance to such projects for their implementation during the project cycle for ensuring sustainable development. Further, mining of minerals is carried out as per the approved mine plan.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri Ganga Charan in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51016
Coal Mining in Reserved Forests
50,818 Hactare Forest Land Diverted for Coal Mining in Country
________________________________________
15:18 IST
Lok Sabha
The coal is extracted form the Coal Bearing Areas irrespective of reserve/protected forests, degraded forest or non-forest lands as per the requirement of the nation and economic viability of extraction. However, prior approval of the Central Government is required for mining of coal in the forest areas under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. So far, 50,818 ha of forest land including reserve forest has been diverted for coal mining in the country. A State-wise list of such diversions is enclosed as annexure. The diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes is permitted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 after stipulating mitigative measures such as compensatory afforestation to reduce the adverse impact of the mining and other developmental activities on environment and ecology of the area.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51013
CDM projects of NALCO under Kyoto protocol cleared
Monday, 27 Jul 2009
Kalinga Times reported that 4 environment oriented projects proposed by National Aluminium Company Limited under Clean Development Mechanism have been cleared by central ministry of Environment and Forests. NALCO will make total investment of INR 11 crore in these projects.
Acceptance of MoEF is 1 of the requirements for registration of CDM projects. NALCO has taken steps for engagement of designated operational entity, which will validate the CDM projects for submission to UNFCCC.
NALCO has taken up numbers of CDM projects in its smelter, captive power plant and refinery units, wherein better technology would be used to further reduce GHG. It said that all these projects have been accorded consent by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests last week.
Kyoto Protocol is a global cooperative attempt to address threat due to increasing growth of Green House Gas emissions and per capita GHG emission correlated with economic prosperity. The protocol encourages industries to earn Carbon credits through measures taken to reduce green house gas emissions and to be more environment-friendly.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, located at Bonn, Germany is the executive body for registration of such projects for availing benefits of carbon credits.
NALCO can earn carbon credit through these CDM projects by reducing GHG, which can be sold in international markets.
(Sourced from Kalinga Times)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/07/27/MTAzOTE3/CDM_projects_of_NALCO_under_Kyoto_protocol_cleared.html
“Walk the talk”: Hindus tell Church of England
Ani
July 27th, 2009
NEVADA - Hindus have blamed Church of England for double standards over the issue of environment.
Indian American community leader Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams should clarify where he and the Church stood on the issue of bauxite mining by a company in remote tribal area of Orissa (India) in which Church of England reportedly had a financial stake and which the environmentalists described as devastating to the area environment.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that Church of England should practice what it preached. Its Environmental Policy stated: “The whole creation belongs to God. As human beings we are part of the whole and have a responsibility to love and care for what God has entrusted to us as temporary tenants of the planet. We are called to conserve its complex and fragile ecology, while recognising the need for responsible and sustainable development and the pursuit of social justice.”
It has said, “We are not consumers of what God has made; we are in communion with it”, and “…challenge itself and all members of the Church of England to make care for creation, and repentance for its exploitation, fundamental to their faith, practice, and mission…”
Rajan Zed pointed out that Church of England was member of Church Investors Group (CIG), an ecumenical gathering of 37 investors connected with the Churches of Britain and Ireland launched in 1973, which encouraged members to “formulate policies relating to investment that are based on Christian ethical principles” and which seeks to “reflect the moral stance and teachings of our faith in our investment portfolios”.
Zed also asked the CIG to investigate whether Church of England’s investment in this concerned multinational mining company (headquartered in London) met the “ethical principles and moral stance” set-up by CIG. The Church of England has reportedly about 4.1 million dollars stake in this mining company.
According to reports, area tribes view the mountain where mining is proposed as sacred and they have stressed that their traditional and sustainable lifestyle and culture would be disturbed by mining. Environmentalists have asked for a halt in this project arguing that the area is ecologically sensitive and mining would result in displacement, deforestation, affecting water sources, wildlife and ecosystems destruction, water pollution, complicity in human rights violations, etc. Area is said to be home of some endangered species. (ANI)
http://blog.taragana.com/n/walk-the-talk-hindus-tell-church-of-england-121653/
Where there is a will, there is a mine!
Express News Service
First Published : 27 Jul 2009 11:13:38 AM IST
BHUBANESWAR: There is more to it than meets the eye. The mining scam, which has rocked the Assembly, seems to have its roots spread across different agencies of the State Government.
A simple look at the case of Inganijharan Mines in Keonjhar’s Daduan wherein leaseholder was changed from MS Deb to BC Deb raises eyebrows not only about the role of the Steel and Mines Department, but also other agencies of the Government.
While the lessee MS Deb died in 1982, its licence was not renewed after 1972 but mining work was going on.
Given Clause 28 of Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 mines licence granted to a lessee will lapse if there is no operation for two consecutive years, but mining was still going on well after 1972 when it was to seek a renewal.
How could the Steel and Mines Department not detect it? Or did it allow it deliberately? It is anyone’s guess.
Interestingly, since the lease was in the name of MS Deb, how come the S&M Department’s website now puts it in favour of BC Deb? That is where the tale gets a twist.
BC Deb is believed to have produced a will by MS Deb before the Department to stake claim over the legal successor of mine. Bizarre as it may sound, the will was made the day MS Deb passed away in 1982. What’s shocking, MS Deb had, in the past, given an affidavit in which he had clearly said the mine was not entirely owned by him since his brothers too had claims over it. The question is was BC Deb ever adopted by MS Deb? Besides, the Steel and Mines Department has repeatedly been asking BC Deb to produce documents proving that he was the sole successor of MS Deb which meant the former never presented the same. How was he allowed to get away? In such a case, how could the leasehold be changed from MS Deb to BC Deb? In fact, two of BC Deb’s cousins, Siladitya Deb and Rob Roy Deb, have staked claim over the legal successor of mine but BC Deb continues to get his right and moolah. Giving the story a new turn, BC Deb’s another cousin, Sravan Deb, filed a petition before the then Secretary, Steel and Mines A K Dalwai. Later, he drew the attention of the State Vigilance. But the matter was referred back to the Mines Department.
The Central Vigilance Commission’s attention was drawn and the end result was same.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Where+there+is+a+will,+there+is+a+mine!&artid=D9Rq8ijHgNE=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=
Anglican Church in India mine row
By Alastair Lawson
BBC News
Bianca Jagger is supported by UK-based campaign groups
Environmental campaigner Bianca Jagger has called on the Church of England to rethink its investment in a company involved in an Indian mining project.
Ms Jagger says the operation is taking place on a mountain considered sacred by the tribe that lives there.
She has announced plans to hold a protest at the annual meeting of the UK-based company behind the mining project on Monday.
The Church said that it was "concerned" about the allegations.
A spokesman told the BBC it was reviewing its involvement with the company, Vedanta.
Vedanta insists the mining project in the remote and inaccessible Niyamgiri hills in the eastern Indian state of Orissa is ethically and environmentally sound.
'Totally unethical'
Ms Jagger is supported by UK-based campaign groups, including ActionAid and Survival International.
Church embroiled in mine row
Tribe takes on global mining firm
"I appeal to the Church of England to realise that this mining project not only endangers the culture and beliefs of the tribal community but is also extremely damaging to the environment," she said.
"It will have a severe impact on wildlife in the area - including leopards and tigers - in addition to destroying rivers, streams and plant life."
The Church has shares in Vedanta worth £2.5m ($4.1m).
Vedanta is about to start mining bauxite in the Niyamgiri hills, to be processed at a refinery that has already been built in the area.
Bauxite is used to make aluminium.
The company and its Indian partner have been accused of forcing people to move from the land.
Many tribal peoples in the area are animists and regard the Niyamgiri hills as sacred.
Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group spokesman Edward Mason said that he would meet tribal representatives and officials from Vedanta to discuss the project, which was a cause of concern.
"We are keen to use our influence as a shareholder to improve corporate behaviour," he said. "We work to a robust ethical investment policy... in areas where there are concerns we talk with the companies and hear what they have to say and what we expect from them."
A statement by Vedanta issued to the BBC said that the company was committed to developing the project "in line with the best international standards for environmental management" and in such a way that it benefited people living in the region.
"We are proceeding with the project on the basis agreed with the Indian Supreme Court, and we urge campaigning groups to respect the decision of the legitimate authority in India, the world's largest democracy," the statement said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8166937.stm
Goa to close all illegal mines
27 Jul 2009, 0546 hrs IST, ET Bureau
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PANAJI: The Goa government has decided to close all mining companies found to have involved in illegal iron ore excavation.
“We have appointed a special monitoring committee to check on the actual mining activities of all companies. Those which are found to be resorting to illegal means will be closed down,” chief minister Digambar Kamat, who is also the minister for mines, announced.
This is for the first time that state government has promised punitive action against the mining giants in Goa. A special monitoring committee headed by the chief conservator of forests will look for companies extracting ore from barred forested areas or at closed pits and whose licences have expired.
The state decided to act after it found a yawning gap between the iron ore exported from Goa and the tax collected on it. The state exports approximately 46 million tonnes of iron ore, which is nearly 40% of country’s entire iron ore exports.
However, one-fifth of it is not accounted for. “Our tax collection on iron ore exports doesn’t commensurate with the actual quantity of the mineral being exported from the state. Our collection is significantly low,” a state official explained. The leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar even claimed to know companies involved in illegal mining.
“What is the government doing about this?” Parrikar asked in the state assembly while pointing at the discrepancies in figures of the total royalty earned by the state as against the total quantum of iron ore exported. The rate of royalty calculated on extraction of iron ore fines is Rs 8 per tonne while it is Rs 11 per tonne on lumpy ore having ferrous content between 58% to 62%.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods-Svs/Metals-Mining/Goa-to-close-all-illegal-mines/articleshow/4823967.cms
SAIL to invite fresh tenders for Tasra coal mine, washery
Pratim Ranjan Bose
Kolkata, July 26 Steel Authority of India Ltd will invite fresh tenders for development and operation of the 4-million-tonne capacity Tasra open cast coking coal mine and a pithead coal beneficiation plant (washery).
According to sources, the company has invited separate expressions of interest for rehabilitation and resettlement (RnR) in the populated block in Jharia coalfield area in Jharkhand. RnR is a prerequisite for land acquisition and mine development.
Taken over from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) — a Coal India subsidiary — in 1995 by the IISCO, now under SAIL, the Tasra reserve contains prime and medium grade coking coal and is considered difficult to develop due to the high density of population.
Re-making plans
SAIL initially had planned development of one mt capacity mine at Tasra. Subsequently, however, it settled for developing the entire 100 mt reserve to produce four mt of coking coal a year for 25 years. It, accordingly, decided to entrust RnR, as well as mine development and operation, to a single contractor. The move faced hurdles right from the beginning.
First, not a single company could qualify for the norms stipulated for the submission of EoI. After due amendment to terms and conditions, the steel major floated a tender for the same in early 2009. The bidding process was over in June 2009. Of the total four bidders, two — Sainik Mining and G S Atwal — were shortlisted, with Sainik quoting the lowest rates.
Contract split
“However, it was found that both the companies had quoted abnormally high prices for the mine development and operation contract,” a source close to the development told Business Line.
“It is guessed that the bidders might have inflated costs to cover probable unforeseen expenditures in RnR. However, the bids were found unacceptable considering the prevailing mine development and operation costs in the country,” the source added.
Earlier this month SAIL decided to split the contract in two parts. “We have already received a few EoIs for facilitating RnR. The mine and washery development and operation part will be tendered separately,” a SAIL source confirmed.
The company is also planning to expand the existing Sitanala underground coking coal mine in the same coalfield though the tender document for the project is yet to be prepared.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/07/27/stories/2009072751260300.htm
Mining – International
Published: 12:06PM Monday July 27, 2009
Source: ONE News
• READ
Primary industry in New Zealand used the same amount of energy in 2008 as 1.5 million households.
Primary industry, which includes farming, forestry, fishing and mining, used 42,288 terajoules of energy last year, according to Statistics New Zealand.
This is the equivalent of filling up a 40-litre petrol tank of a small car 80,000 times every day for a year.
It constitutes around 9% of the total energy supplied to consumers in New Zealand.
Mining was the hungriest user, accounting for almost a quarter of total primary energy usage.
It was followed by the sheep, beef cattle, and grain growing industry with just under 20% of primary industry energy use.
The most popular form of energy was diesel, making up half of the energy used in the primary industry and around 19% of New Zealand's total diesel supply.
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The top consumer of diesel was forestry.
Electricity and petrol were also common choices, making up 20% and 10% respectively of energy in the primary industry.
Other types of energy used included fuel oil, natural gas, wood, and small quantities of liquefied petroleum gas, coal, and aviation fuel.
Statistics New Zealand found few of the businesses surveyed had a formal or informal energy policy in place.
Forestry had the lowest uptake of energy management practices while dairy farming had the highest.
Around 55% of dairy farms monitor energy use and cost, and 36% provided staff with information on how to save energy.
http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/mining-biggest-guzzler-in-primary-sector-2874043
PNG mining chief halts nickel operations
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Posted 1 hour 45 minutes ago
Papua New Guinea's chief inspector of mines has revealed that work at a $1.7 billion nickel mining project has been suspended because of health and safety concerns.
The chief inspector of mines, Mohan Singh, ordered a halt to construction work at the Ramu nickel mine in Madang Province last week.
Mr Singh went to the site to investigate an accident in May in which a worker was injured after being run over by a tractor.
He has not released the reasons for his stop work order.
The China Metallurgical Construction Group Corporation, the mine's majority owner, says it is working to address the issues and hopes construction will resume this week.
The project has been plagued by disputes with local workers.
After the accident in May, local workers bashed several Chinese employees and the project was temporarily shut down.
PNG mining chief halts nickel operations
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Posted 1 hour 45 minutes ago
Papua New Guinea's chief inspector of mines has revealed that work at a $1.7 billion nickel mining project has been suspended because of health and safety concerns.
The chief inspector of mines, Mohan Singh, ordered a halt to construction work at the Ramu nickel mine in Madang Province last week.
Mr Singh went to the site to investigate an accident in May in which a worker was injured after being run over by a tractor.
He has not released the reasons for his stop work order.
The China Metallurgical Construction Group Corporation, the mine's majority owner, says it is working to address the issues and hopes construction will resume this week.
The project has been plagued by disputes with local workers.
After the accident in May, local workers bashed several Chinese employees and the project was temporarily shut down.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/27/2637899.htm?section=business
AngloGold Studying A$520 Million Gold Mine Venture in Australia
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By Jesse Riseborough
July 27 (Bloomberg) -- AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., Africa’s largest gold producer, is studying a A$520 million ($426 million) mine development in Western Australia state with venture partner Independence Group NL.
AngloGold, owner of a 70 percent stake in the Tropicana project, and Independence have approved a study into the proposed development, which is expected to produce between 330,000 and 410,000 ounces of gold annually from 2013, the Johannesburg-based company said today in a statement to the Australian stock exchange.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jesse Riseborough in Melbourne atjriseborough@bloomberg.net
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aPHEFJRdc9Xk
Stage set for uranium mining to begin, says Ngeleja
THIDAY REPORTER
DAR ES SALAAM
TANZANIA has at least 53.9 million pounds of uranium oxide deposits and expects to start mining some of that by 2011, Energy and Minerals Minister William Ngeleja has said.
Although gold continues to dominate the country’s mining sector, there has been increasing interest in other metals like uranium and nickel.
Minister Ngeleja said two companies - Mantra Tanzania Limited, a unit of Australia’s Mantra Resources, and Uranex Tanzania Limited, a subsidiary of Australia’s Uranex - hope to start producing in two years.
’’Mantra Tanzania Limited is expected to start mining uranium by 2012, and Uranex Tanzania Limited expects to start producing the mineral in 2011,’’ he told parliament when unveiling his ministry’s 2009/10 budget proposals on Saturday.
Mantra is working on a project in Ruvuma Region, which it says has an inferred mineral resource of 35.9 million pounds of uranium oxide; while Uranex’s project in Dodoma Region has an estimated 6.7 million pounds of the oxide.
Ngeleja said the two are among 20 companies licensed to explore for uranium in the resource-rich country which also has diamonds, tanzanite, and coal in abundance.
He said work is in progress on a new mining law - after 10 years of review - aiming to increase the sector’s economic contribution, change ownership rules, and increase royalties paid on minerals like gold and diamonds.
’’We hope to bring this law to parliament in October (this year),’’ the minister said.
Mineral exports earned $1.08bn for the national economy in 2008, from $983m in the previous year, he added.
In the wake of encouraging surveys of the country’s uranium deposits, the government says it is developing a policy on nuclear energy.
According to officials, the uranium deposits already earmarked in Dodoma and Ruvuma Regions will be developed to allow for greater electricity generation in the country.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mohamed El Baradei, visiting Tanzania, said: ’’We have already proposed a nuclear policy and as I am talking now, it is being discussed at higher levels to set grounds on how it can be implemented.’’
El Baradei said even as his agency could provide technical guidance, African nations should pool their resources in surveying their deposits as well as on the technical issues of connecting electricity generated by nuclear power to their national grids.
’’Exploration of uranium and eventual production of nuclear energy is not an easy task. It may take as many as ten years and beyond and consumes huge resources. It is better that you join forces to implement that,’’ he added.
http://www.thisday.co.tz/News/6116.html
Zim withdraws mining bill
By Sherilee L Bridge, I-Net Bridge Published:Jul 27, 2009
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Zimbabwe’s new inclusive government has withdrawn from parliament the country’s controversial mining bill that would have forced foreign-owned mining firms to cede a controlling stake to Zimbabweans.
Citing Zimbabwe’s Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Thankful Musukutwa, The Zimbabwe Guardian said on Monday that the draft law had been withdrawn to allow for stakeholder consultation.
The withdrawal of the bill is in line with promises made by Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last month.
Tsvangirai, who had then just ended a three-week tour of western capitals where he pitched for fund to help rebuild the ailing Zimbabwean economy, said Zimbabwe’s indigenisation law would be amended to lure foreign investors into the mining sector.
Under the draft law, foreign firms mining strategic minerals such as coal and coal-bed methane would have required to sell 51% shareholding to the government, with the state taking 25% of that stake free.
Government would also take 25% shareholding in precious minerals such as gold, diamond and platinum while another 26% would go to locals.
"We are reviewing it. Fifty-one percent is far, far too high. The new coalition government hopes to agree a new local ownership level that is comfortable for investors, but still beneficial to the mineral-rich nation," said Tsvangirai at the time.
The changes to the Mines and Minerals Act were approved by the cabinet in 2006, but never signed into law.
"There has been realisation that in its present form the bill would not be able to attract meaningful investment. Zimbabwe competes with other countries for investors," said Musukutwa.
"What would go into the new bill is dependent on the consultations and input stakeholders would have put forward," he added.
http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1040467
China, Australia to develop mine
(China Daily/Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-27 12:53
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Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corp, the country's third-largest steel maker, signed an agreement with Australian Centrex Metals Ltd (CXM) last week to jointly develop iron ore mines in southern Australia.
Under the agreement, which has yet to be approved by the two countries' governments, CXM's listed company will issue 15 percent more shares to Wuhan Iron and Steel, making the Chinese company the second-largest shareholder of the Australian company.
Wuhan Iron and Steel will pay A$216 million ($172 million) to gain 60 percent of the interests of the jointly operated mine area, according to the agreement.
The iron ore mine covers about 600 sq km in southern Australia.
Deng Qilin, general manager of Wuhan Iron and Steel, said the pending deal was a win-win under the current financial crisis.
At the end of last year, Wuhan Iron and Steel paid Centrex Metals Ltd as much as A$180 million ($127 million) for a share in iron ore projects in Australia to secure supplies of the raw material, according to an earlier Bloomberg News report.
According to the report, Wuhan Iron and Steel would also pay A$9.7 million for a 15 percent stake in Centrex, the Adelaide-based company said in a statement.
The two companies also agreed to develop a deepwater port for exports on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Chinese companies offered at least $18 billion last year to buy mining assets around the world to secure supplies of raw materials.
Sinosteel Corp, China's second-largest iron ore trader, won control of Australian ore producer Midwest Corp last year with a A$1.36 billion offer.
"Wuhan Iron and Steel is committed to the rapid development of the Eyre Peninsula deposits," Centrex Chairman David Lindh said in a statement to the Australian stock exchange.
Business recovery
In March, Wuhan Iron and Steel cut production by at least 15 percent as the economic slowdown crimped demand, Deng of Wuhan Iron and Steel said.
Wuhan Iron and Steel, Baosteel Group Corp and Anshan Iron and Steel Group have idled four furnaces, Deng said.
Deng said earlier this year that weaker demand might force his company, which has 30 million metric tons in capacity, to delay its Fangcheng Port project.
Related readings:
Mainland iron ore miners plan HK listings
Talks on iron ore rate cuts continuing
Strategy against Rio & BHP iron ore monopoly
Industry confused with surging iron ore imports
However, thanks to government stimulus packages for the steel and auto industries, Wuhan Iron and Steel saw both sales and profits swelling rapidly.
The company is a major domestic supplier of automotive steel products.
Wuhan Iron and Steel is targeting sales of at least 120 billion yuan ($17.57 billion) for the year, Deng said.
A statement posted on the State Council's website on March 20 said that taxes on steel imports and exports would also be reviewed.
The government will also encourage local steelmakers to buy assets overseas, according to the statement, as it seeks to boost competitiveness and purchasing power for raw materials.
Canadian mine
Meanwhile, Wuhan Iron and Steel has finalized the terms of a $240-million investment agreement with Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines of Canada.
According to the agreement, Wuhan Iron and Steel will buy 38.7 million common shares of the Canadian company at a price of C$2.72 per share, which represents a 19.99 percent stake in the company.
Consolidated Thompson will receive aggregate proceeds of C$105.2 million.
The two companies will also establish a limited partnership in which Wuhan Iron and Steel will hold a 25 percent interest, and to which Consolidated Thompson will contribute its Bloom Lake property.
Located in Duplessis County in Quebec, Bloom Lake is a development-stage iron ore project with a 34-year mining life.
The move is expected to help the Chinese company secure its overseas iron ore supply at a time when the country's steel industry is largely depending on the world's top three iron ore miners: BHP, Rio Tinto and Vale.
Richard Quesnel, president and CEO of Consolidated Thompson, said the agreement will help the Canadian company offset debt and provide it with more financial flexibility.
(For more biz stories, please visit Industries)
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2009-07/27/content_8476727.htm
LIFE WITHOUT BAUXITE
Industry execs snub much-touted seminar
By Rhoma Tomlinson Sunday Finance reporter
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Mandeville, Manchester - Representatives from the island's beleaguered bauxite companies appeared to have boycotted the Manchester Chamber of Commerce's much-touted 'Life After Bauxite' seminar, held to push agriculture as a major alternative to fill the bauxite vacuum in the parish.
Manchester residents, farmers and business people packed the halls of the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville this past Wednesday to hear how farming could become the next big industry, following the closing of Alumina Partners of Jamaica (ALPART) and the winding down of Windalco, two bauxite giants which employed thousands from across Manchester and St Elizabeth.
A packed auditorium at the Gold View Hotel in Mandeville during Wednesday's 'Life after Bauxite' seminar hosted by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Alvin Murray, President of the Christiana Potato Growers Association speaks at the podium about greenhouse technology. (Photo: Clive Williams)
Presentations by President of the Christiana Potato Growers Association Alvin Murray on the potential of greenhouse farming, and an update from Parish Manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Donald Robinson on the parish's improving agricultural performance, seemed to have done little to appease farmers from South Manchester, particularly, who had come to hear what the bauxite companies would do to offset the environmental damage that mining had caused to their agricultural livelihood.
The South Manchester constituency has been most affected by bauxite mining and residents from these communities have been complaining for years about the environmental fallout caused by bauxite mining in the area.
Numerous bauxite-related questions fired at the panel could not be addressed, as no bauxite company representative was on hand. Manchester Chamber chairman Winston Lawson said the bauxite companies had been invited to "help us with answering questions". He promised to make note of the bauxite-related concerns and pass these on to the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), the organisation which monitors the island's bauxite operations.
The only official from the sector present at the function was Keith Smith, first vice-president of the Manchester Chamber, who was recently appointed to the board of the JBI. Smith assured residents that the JBI was concerned about the slow pace at which bauxite companies were handing over titles to persons they had resettled. He said the JBI had asked for reports from the bauxite companies as to why the process was taking so long.
But a number of persons interviewed by Sunday Finance said if agriculture was to become the parish's mainstay, then the bauxite companies would have to do something about the lands they had mined, which had left numerous farming communities with little hope of returning to agriculture on a large scale.
A visibly upset Sheila Clarke, from the Ellen Street Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) branch in South Manchester, said a seminar on 'Life after bauxite' was irrelevant if there were no bauxite representatives there to answer questions.
"I wanted to hear more about life after bauxite in terms of what is going to happen to our farmers who are still using some of the farmlands. Some of them have already been pushed off the land. If the bauxite people were here, you could ask them certain questions, and you have this big thing about life after bauxite. This topic was not dealt with," she said.
Clarke said that although the lands used by farmers in her area were owned by the bauxite companies, "...if farmers are occupying lands for so long, shouldn't there be something put in place for these people to keep going? We keep saying eat what we grow, but we have nowhere to grow what we eat, so how we going to eat what we grow?"
She said when the bauxite companies do reclaim lands and return them to the community, the quality is so poor that few crops can grow. "They're only giving you six inches of earth; most crops have to go deeper than that."
She had scathing criticism for calls at the seminar for farmers to get into greenhouse technology, which specialist Alvin Murray admitted would cost at least US$15,000. "If you going into greenhouse, you have to find US$15,000. How many of our farmers are even going to be able to find $100,000 to put up?" Clarke asked. She said much of the seminar's focus seemed to be on Christiana and its greenhouse project, and not on South Manchester, which has been most affected by the fall in bauxite production.
Another South Manchester farmer, Norman Bailey, said mining operations by JAMALCO had wiped out over 90 per cent of farming in his Harmons community. "They've been there for nine years, and there's nothing to show. Our area was a 99 per cent farming area, and its been reduced to five per cent. All arable lands are being mined out, leaving gaping water-filled holes," he said.
He shared similar sentiments with Sheila Clarke that the reclaimed lands which the bauxite companies returned to the community were of poor quality. "The topsoil so small in quantity that it cannot sustain the farming that we're used to. We used to plant yams, potatoes; we can't do that now. They're talking about 'Life after Bauxite' and they're talking about agriculture, but where do we fit in? There'll be few people left in this community, if this is allowed to continue. What will our life be like after bauxite?" he asked.
The MCC-hosted seminar was the first in a series of four being held to explore the possible economic alternatives. The three upcoming seminars will focus on community tourism, health tourism and knowledge-based industries for the parish.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20090725T210000-0500_156130_OBS_LIFE_WITHOUT_BAUXITE.asp
Other News
India not to commit to legally binding climate change agreement
www.chinaview.cn 2009-07-27 15:49:24
Print
NEW DELHI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- An Indian minister said on Monday that India will not succumb to any international pressure on committing to a legally binding agreement on cutting greenhouse emissions but will deal with climate change issues according to its own plans, reported the semi-official Press Trust of India.
India's Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh said that under no international agreement will India accept "legally binding mitigations" of greenhouse gas which could hamper the country's development and progress, said the report.
Speaking to Parliament, the minister said that during a meeting with eight industrialized nations, or G8, in Italy early this month, India refused to make any commitment to cutting emissions, according to the report.
The G8 countries agreed at the meeting to cut climate change emission to 50 percent of the level of 1990 by the year 2050.
"There is no mention of pressuring developing countries like India to cut emissions," the report quoted him as saying.
Ramesh also said India has categorically stated that its per capita carbon emission will at no stage exceed the per capita carbon emission of developed nations, according to the report.
Special Report: Fight against Global Warming
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/27/content_11780714.htm
795 795 Projects covering 1.58 million hactare approved in 28 states for nap schemes
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15:14 IST
Rajya Sabha
The Ministry is implementing National Afforestation Programme scheme for regeneration of degraded forests and adjoining areas in the country. As on 31.03.2009, about 795 such projects have been approved in 28 States to cover a project area of 1.58 million ha.Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change announced by the Central Government, a National Mission for a ‘Green India’ has been mooted as one of the eight missions to, inter-alia, help counter the effects of climate change through afforestation programme.
So far, about 13.04 lakh hectare of land including 7.5 lakh hectare of degraded forest land and 5.54 lakh hectare of non-forest land has been identified for raising compensatory afforestation in lieu of diversion of 11.82 lakh hectare of forest land for non-forest purposes. So far, compensatory afforestation has been achieved over 5.35 lakh ha area only.
During the period from April 2005 to March 2009, about 1.05 lakh ha of forest land was identified for compensatory afforestation. No Compensatory afforestation could be carried out from April 2007 to March 2009 due to non-release of money earmarked for the purpose. However, compensatory afforestation has been carried out over 5.35 lakh ha of land during the period 25.10.1980 to 31.03.2007. To resume the compensatory afforestation in the States/UTs, comprehensive guidelines have been framed and communicated to them.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Dr. Gyan Prakash Pilania in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51010
Employment for economically weaker sections
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15:33 IST
Lok Sabha
Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Organization. The last such survey was conducted during 2004-05. As per this survey, details of unemployment rates on usual status basis amongst the various social groups such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Others are given below:-
Unemployment Rate (%)
Social groups Rural Urban
Male Female Male Female
SCs 1.7 1.4 5.5 4.6
STs 1.1 0.4 2.9 3.4
OBCs 1.5 1.9 3.3 6.7
Others 2.0 2.9 3.7 8.5
All 1.6 1.8 3.8 6.9
The Eleventh five year Plan aims at creating 58 million of additional job opportunities in normal growth process and through various special employment generation programmes. In order to address the problem of unemployment that the country is facing, Government of India has been implementing various employment generation programmes. Some of the important ones are Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP); Swarnajayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY); Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
One of the monitorable targets for the Eleventh Plan is to ensure that at least 33 percent of the direct and indirect beneficiaries of all government schemes are women and girl children. The target for population under Swarnajayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) is the urban poor living below the poverty line (BPL) and also lays special focus on women, Scheduled castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The percentage of women beneficiaries under urban self employment programme (USEP) shall not be less than 30%. SCs and STs must be benefited at least to the extent of their proportion of strength in city/town population. Similarly Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) provides financial assistance to members of the BPL families of the rural areas for creating income generating assets to the mix of bank credit and subsidy.
Special safeguards have also been provided to the vulnerable sections by way of reserving 50% benefits for SCs/STs, 40% for women and 3% for disabled persons. The economically weaker sections of the society are, therefore, participating in the additional employment generated in the normal growth process and special employment programmes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Harish Rawat in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51022
Death of Tigers in Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve
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15:19 IST
Lok Sabha
During the last year, mortality of one tigress on 01.09.2008 has been reported by the State in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, due to territorial infighting.
So far three tigers have been relocated in the Sariska Tiger Reserve from Ranthambhore on 28.6.2009 (male), 4.7.2008 (female) and 25.2.2009 (female) as per the recovery plan suggested by the Wildlife Institute of India. The State has informed that further translocation of tigers would be done in accordance with the said recovery plan. The last estimation of tiger population in Ranthambhore and Sariska Tiger Reserves was conducted by the State in May, 2009. As reported by the State, at present there are 41 tigers in Ranthambhore and 3 tigers in Sariska.
The State Government is taking conservation initiatives for protecting the tiger as per the guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, vis-à-vis the provisions contained in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger, funding support is provided to the State for in-situ conservation of tigers in the said Tiger Reserves based on the proposals received. Further, 100% funding support is being provided by the Government of India for creation of the Special Tiger Protection Force in the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve for antipoaching activities.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in two different written questions by Shri Om Prakash Mathur in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51014
National Mission on Empowerment of Women
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15:35 IST
RAJYA SABHA
The Government plans to set up a National Mission on Empowerment of Women for implementation of women-centric programmes. The overall aim of the proposed Mission is to strengthen the processes that promote economic and social development of women. Convergence of activities of multi disciplinary nature and cross cutting holistic sectoral policies is an important ingredient in Mission mode approach. It is envisaged that the proposed Mission would set goals and monitor achievements while participating Ministries and State Governments will continue to implement the programmes and schemes.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51024
Welfare of Girl Child
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15:30 IST
RAJYA SABHA
The Ministry of Women & Child Development is implementing a number of schemes for the welfare and development of the girl child. “Dhanalakshmi” – a Scheme for conditional Cash Transfer for the Gird Child is being implemented on a pilot basis in eleven blocks in seven States since 2008-09. This was informed by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister said that the scheme provides for cash transfer to the family of a girl child on fulfilling certain conditionality relating to registration of birth, immunization, enrolment and retention in school till class VIII; and an insurance coverage if the girl remains unmarried till the age of 18. The 79,555 girls are expected to benefit under the scheme during 2008-09.
The Scheme of Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) is being implemented in 6118 Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) projects for adolescent girls (11 to 18 years) using the infrastructure of ICDS for addressing the needs of self development, nutrition and health status, literacy and numerical skills, vocational skills, etc of adolescent girls.
The Scheme of Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) is being implemented on a Pilot Project basis in 51 districts in the country. Undernourished adolescent girls in age group of 11-19 years are provided free food grains @ 6 kg. Per beneficiary per month.
During the year 2009-10, Rs.10.00crore has been allocated for Dhanalakshmi Scheme. Total funds earmarked for States for Kishori Shakti Yojana is Rs.71.30 crores for 2009-10. Funds are released at the rate of Rs.1.1 lakh per project per annum to be the States/UTs. Total funds earmarked for Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls for 2009-10 is Rs.162.77 crore and State wise allocations are based on expected number of beneficiaries in each state.
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NCJ/SR
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51019
Measures to check domestic violence and child marriage
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15:34 IST
RAJYA SABHA
In order to protect the rights of women who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected therewith, a legislation “The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005” (No.43 of 2005) was enacted and brought into force w.e.f. 26th October, 2006.
In order to prohibit child marriages and to make the provisions of the Act more effective and punishment more stringent for offenders, a new legislation “The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006”(No.6 of 2007) was enacted and notified on 11th January, 2007.
Also awareness generation and advocacy measures are continuously being undertaken by the Ministry of Women & Child Development in this connection.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Smt. Krishna Tirath in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51023
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