Mining – India
1. Coal royalty revision: Govt in a tight spot
2. India To Open Uranium Mines And Increase Nuclear Power Capacity
3. Tata Steel looks to acquire mines for Corus
4. GMR eyes London listing for holding company
5. CII urges to scale up captive mining to augment coal output
6. Residents of Sattari submitted memo to Mamlatdar and Police
7. Eviction notice to Kuju families living along NH-33
8. Hike in coal prices sought
9. Coal mine plan shot down over green concerns
Mining – International
10. Gold mining stocks are going up
11. Chinese farmers halt Sino Gold's White Mountain mine
12. Military to be deployed to monitor illegal mining closure in Central Java
13. Astra Energy acquires mining licenses in West Africa
14. Tanzania to Table Mining Laws in October, Take Stakes in Mines
15. Twenty dead in Slovak mine disaster
16. Rio says seen no evidence for China detentions
Other News
17. Laws, Not Words, Urged on Indigenous Rights Day
18. Sign tribal peoples' law and help save rainforests - call for action
19. Govt. Failed to Give Food to 3 million Drought Hit Vidarbha Tribals
20. “Tinkering with NREGA will hit poor”
21. Current Status of Monsoon 2009 (1 June – 09 August)
22.PM for a “new deal” for Urban Street Vendors
Mining – India
Coal royalty revision: Govt in a tight spot
Express News Service
First Published : 10 Aug 2009 11:01:12 AM IST
BHUBANESWAR: The observation of Minister of State for Coal Shriprakash Jaiswal that there is no immediate need for revising the royalty on coal has come as a jolt for the State Government at a time when there is decrease in revenue receipts.
The State Government is losing crores of rupees as it has been discriminated against in the revision of the royalty on coal and other non-coal minerals also. Centre revised the royalty on ‘Grade F’ coal in 2007 from Rs 65 to Rs 75, an increase of 14 per cent.
But the revised rate was still far less than compared to other states. It is less compared to Uttar Pradesh- Rs 79, Chhattisgarh-Rs 78.5, Andhra Pradesh-Rs 89.05, Maharashtra-Rs 90.05 and West Bengal-Rs 174. Another demand of the State Government for fixing of royalty on ad valorem basis has also been ignored despite the recommendation of the Twelfth Finance Commission.
The royalty structure is primarily based on the quantity of minerals dispatched for sale, which results in a huge loss for the State exchequer.
Besides, a time limit of three years has been determined for revision of royalty in consonance with the recommendations of the Eleventh Finance Commission. However, there is always an irregularity in the implementation of these recommendations causing huge loss to Orissa.
Though coal royalty revision is due only in 2010, the Opposition as well as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) want that the State should be compensated for the discrimination towards it by the Centre last time.
Coal royalty was revised in 2002 after eight years as a result of which the State lost crores of rupees due to the delay. Subsequently, it was again revised on August 1, 2007. But the revision of royalty on non-coal minerals is long overdue.
Joining the State Government, the Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) also demanded rationalisation of royalty regime by a change over to full ad valorem basis or on the basis of global prices.
In a memorandum submitted to the Minister, the OPCC demanded timely revision of royalty of both coal and non-coal minerals, iron ore, manganese, chromite and bauxite.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Coal+royalty+revision:+Govt+in+a+tight+spot&artid=ru1QeYc4eg0=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=
India To Open Uranium Mines And Increase Nuclear Power Capacity
Published:10-August-2009
By Staff Reporter
Anil Kakodkar, chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, said India is embarking on opening new uranium mines and increasing nuclear power generation capacity as fuel supplies are estimated to get a major support from domestic and international sources, PTI reported. Kakodkar said that the uranium had been delivered under a long-term contract with Russia.
According to Kakodkar, India had already received the first consignment of 120 tonnes of uranium pellets, and the Indian government was engaged in a discussion with international vendor countries to get such additional supplies.
"They (Russia) will keep delivering and we will use it in the reactors, which we are putting under safeguards," Kakodkar said.
"We also had a contract with Areva (of France) and uranium has come from there too," said Kakodkar.
http://www.energy-business-review.com/news/india_to_open_uranium_mines_and_increase_nuclear_power_capacity_090810
Tata Steel looks to acquire mines for Corus
Press Trust of India / Mumbai August 10, 2009, 19:32 IST
Tata Steel is scouting for coking coal and iron ore mines abroad, including in Brazil and Australia, to ensure raw material security for its European operations.
"We are actively pursuing raw material interests in coking coal and iron ore either in terms of virgin sites with significant resource potential or in terms of smaller existing ventures which can be quickly aligned to the requirements in Europe," Tata Steel said in its annual report.
Tata Steel Europe, which controls Corus's operations, had imported around 22 million tonnes of iron ore and 11 million tonnes of coal in FY09.
While iron ore was imported from Australia, Canada, South Africa and South America, coal principally came from Australia, Canada and the US.
Uk-based Corus, which Tata Steel had acquired for $12 billion in 2007, does not have captive iron ore and coal resources.
The Tata Steel Group is self-sufficient to the extent of 25 per cent for its iron ore requirements, which is likely to go up gradually to 62 per cent by 2015 as its mines in Canada and Ivory Coast start production, the report said.
"Overall raw material security would reach around 50 per cent by 2015 (and) to around 60 per cent by 2018," the report said.
Tata Steel would need to make substantial investment in a phased manner to secure raw material from its overseas mines, it said, adding that the company was also evaluating several other mineral projects in Brazil and Australia.
Tata Steel India is self-sufficient in iron ore and with regard to coking coal, the company is self-sufficient to the extent of 52 per cent.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tata-steel-looks-to-acquire-mines-for-corus/70391/on
GMR eyes London listing for holding company
Nevin John / Mumbai August 11, 2009, 0:23 IST
Vedanta-style move aimed at building $10 bn global asset portfolio.
Infrastructure giant GMR group is considering listing its global holding company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as a step towards building a $10 billion global assets portfolio.
To this end, the group is consolidating its global assets under GMR Infrastructure International (registered in the Isle of Man) for a public issue in London, according to an executive who did not wish to be identified, in a move that largely replicates what metals behemoth Vedanta did six years ago.
The group’s overseas assets include a 50 per cent stake in Netherlands-based power generator InterGen, 40 per cent in Istanbul airport, an 800 Mw power plant under construction in Singapore, 38.5 per cent in South Africa-based coal miner Homeland Energy and a coal mine in Indonesia.
Other company sources added that the value of the overseas assets will surge to about $8 billion by 2014. A recent group presentation set an asset target of $10 billion in five years and the group aims to become a global top 10 brand in key sectors.
“We are also scouting for coal, power and airport assets that will enhance our global portfolio,” these sources said, adding that the listing would help the group generate money from the international market “where infrastructure assets are valued higher”.
GMR had acquired its 50 per cent stake in InterGen for $1.1 billion last year through the global holding company. The Singapore and South Africa assets will be transferred to the Isle of Man-based firm in the near future before listing on LSE, said the executive.
In 2003, billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources listed on the LSE after it raised over $1 billion through its public issue. The response was to the tune of $3 billion — three times Vedanta’s target. Though listed on LSE, most of Vedanta’s assets are based in India under subsidiary firms Sterlite Industries, Balco, Malco and Hindustan Zinc.
GMR has three listed entities in India, such as GMR Ferro Alloys & Industries, GMR Industries and the flagship GMR Infrastructure. The group is the developer and operator of two international airports in India — Hyderabad and Delhi. It is also developing six highway projects covering 424 km.
The group, which is also looking to list its power subsidiary GMR Energy on the Indian bourses, requires almost Rs 14,000 crore for its power, road and special economic zone (SEZ) projects. The company is constructing power plants of 4,000 Mw generation capacity in India, of which 2,000 Mw would require immediate funding of Rs 9,000 crore soon. The two road projects require Rs 3,000 crore, while the Krishnagiri SEZ will cost Rs 2,000 crore, said company sources.
GMR Infrastructure recently withdrew plans to raise Rs 2,500 crore through a qualified institutional placement issue owing to unfavourable market conditions. The company has decided to wait five to six months before raising funds from the equity markets, said sources.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/gmr-eyes-london-listing-for-holding-company/366594/
CII urges to scale up captive mining to augment coal output
Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009
The Confederation of Indian Industry has recommended that scaling up captive mining by allocating greater number of blocks for captive use by designated end users and addressing the constraints faced by the developers in commencing work on the allotted blocks can go long way in augmenting domestic coal production.
Coal is the largest source of electricity production in India and is likely to be the main fuel for power generation in the foreseeable future. Therefore augmenting the supply is vital to ensure that power capacity addition plans are not derailed due to inadequate internal coal production.
To bridge the increasing demand supply gap, CII believes that it is necessary to expeditiously identify coal blocks outside of PSU's immediate development plans and offer them to captive producers to augment coal production in the near future. The experience of the companies involved in captive mining portrays that uneconomical and difficult to work blocks are allocated to captive producers which restricts domestic production.
CII is of the view that increasing the production through captive mining would require that the exploration data is brought in public domain and the allocation made to serious developers through a transparent process. Therefore towards building transparency, CII strongly recommends that an independent regulator must be appointed at the earliest. The regulator could undertake both upstream allocation of captive coal blocks and monitor the development and production phases so that coal producers become accountable.
CII also believes there is also an immediate need to introduce streamlined, documented and time-bound procedures to speed up forest and environmental clearances and set reasonable time limits for various approvals, including mine leases.
According to CII, the regulatory intervention in near term is essential to mimic the market which is imperfect at the current juncture and there is a critical need to create a level-playing field where multiple producers irrespective of their size and scale can co-exist. Another concurrent measure, to provide impetus to the captive coal mining, will be to introduce the concept followed in Ultra Mega Power Projects where requisites inputs and clearances are put in place before the private developer takes over through a competitive selection process.
The Coal Sector is dominated by Public Sector Undertakings namely Coal India Limited together with its subsidiaries and Singareni Collieries Co Limited. Therefore increasing the number of players in the coal sector and opening up coal bearing areas yet to be explored are other important measures that CII believes must be adopted to ensure that supply is able to keep pace with the demand and reliance on imports is reduced.
Besides these interim measures, the main objective, in CII view, is to amend the existing laws to allow private and foreign companies to mine, produce and freely market coal. The Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1957 needs to be amended to introduce competitive bidding for coal blocks. In the interim, a points system allowing merit based allocation to developers with proven track record should be followed under the watchful eye of an independent regulator till the time the legislation is amended.
Mr Chandrajit Banerjee director general of CII said that "Coal production, modernization and efficiency improvement would depend on the level of competition in the industry. Encouraging private participation and FDI in the coal sector is instrumental."
(Sourced from www.news.oneindia.in)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/11/MTA2NjY3/CII_urges_to_scale_up_captive_mining_to_augment_coal_output.html
Residents of Sattari submitted memo to Mamlatdar and Police
Rajendra P Kerkar , TNN 11 August 2009, 07:54am IST
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SATTARI: A public hearing slated for Tuesday regarding a mining lease at Dhavem, situated within the Mahdei wildlife sanctuary, was cancelled on
Monday evening. The order was issued by member secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board Ashok Daiwajna.
Residents of Sattari, hailing from Nagargao and other villages, had submitted a memorandum to Sattari mamlatdar Satish Desai and Valpoi PI Shivram Vaigankar on Monday morning claiming that the public hearing organized by the GSPCB was illegal and should be cancelled.
Over the past 11 years, from August 15, 1998 to 14 July 2009 the Nagargao gram sabha had passed nine resolutions opposing mining in Dhavem and surrounding areas.
After reports on the site, mines and geology director Arvind Loliyekar in a letter dated August 3, 2009 had informed the GSPCB that this particular mining lease falls within Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and as such no mining activity could be undertaken at the site.
There was also a report earlier this month by senior hydrogeologist N Soma Sundaram of the water resources department which stated, "Open cast mining may have irreparable damage to water resources potential of surrounding villages due to effective removable of recharge area." He had further said, "There would be adverse impact on agricultural economy which is the backbone of livelihood of people in the region."
North Goa deputy conservator of Forests M Shembu said, "As per records, survey numbers 21 and 64 of Carambolim Brahma form part of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and survey numbers from 11 to 22, excluding 14 of Dhavem fall within one km of the sanctuary."
Meanwhile, villagers of neighbouring Gulelim, who have been opposing three mines within the buffer zone of Bondla wildlife sanctuary have decided to strongly pursue the matter with the government.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/goa/Residents-of-Sattari-submitted-memo-to-Mamlatdar-and-Police-/articleshow/4879882.cms
Eviction notice to Kuju families living along NH-33
Sanjay Ojha, TNN 10 August 2009, 11:23pm IST
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KUJU (Ramgarh): The district administration has issued notice to about 50 families living along the Ranchi-Patna Highway (NH-33) near Kuju
requesting them to vacate their houses at the earliest.
The notice has been issued as a precautionary measure as there are chances of outbreak of fire from new pockets and land subsidence.
A formal eviction notice to residents and diversion of the highway was issued after a 15-feet wide crater developed near Lohagate on Sunday and huge flames sprewed out at several places along the highway.
Movement of traffic has been stopped on the NH-33 and all vehicles have being diverted. Vehicles moving from Ranchi towards Patna have been diverted from Ramgarh towards Dhanbad, those coming from patna towards Ranchi have been being diverted from Barahi towards West Bokaro.
A district administration official said to avoid major disaster in the area, particularly when the fire has been sprewing out from different places villagers have asked to vacate the area and move to safer place.
Ramgarh deputy commissioner A K Sinha said residents had been asked to vacate their houses at the earliest.
"In case they do not follow the directive, the administration will be forced to take stern action," he warned.
However, most residents are not willing to follow the administration's directive as it will prevent them from illegal mining which was thire means of liveihood.
"We have been surviving by mining coal from abandoned mines for decades. I've been mining coal illegally since my childhood and if we move to some other place then we will lose our means of livelihood," said a middle-aged resident.
"If we move to a new place those already living there will not allow us to mine coal. We feel that it is better to continue living here and mine coal from places where fire has spread," he added.
Akhil Jharkhand Kisan Sabha secretary Sukhdeo Manjhi confirmed that villagers living in the area were reluctant to vacate their houses at it would deprive them of their liveihood.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/ranchi/Eviction-notice-to-Kuju-families-living-along-NH-33-/articleshow/4879105.cms
Hike in coal prices sought
Special Correspondent
CIL looking for tie-ups with global mining firms
NEW DELHI: Faced with massive investment target in various projects and the need to adjust prices, Minister of State for Coal Sriprakash Jaiswal on Monday said that he would approach the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, seeking his nod for a marginal hike in coal prices to protect the interests of the coal public sector undertakings (PSUs) which have lined up massive investment projects.
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference of State Coal Ministers here, Mr. Jaiswal also gave indications of competitive bidding being introduced for coal blocks in captive mining. “Our prices starting at about $16 a tonne are over 50 per cent cheaper than the prevailing global rates. We are seeking a marginal increase as we do not wish to lose the tag of provider of cheap coal to end users,” he said along with the Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman, Partha S. Bhattacharyya, said.
Mr. Jaiswal said the Rs. 4,000-crore coal-wage pact between CIL and its workers was also one of the factors behind the demand for a price hike.
CIL had reported a sharp drop in retained earnings because of the wage-built annual impact. A profit of Rs. 300 crore on a turnover of Rs. 45,000 crore was low. CIL had a pre-tax profit of Rs. 8,700 crore in the last fiscal.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bhattacharyya said CIL was looking for tie-ups with global mining firms such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Anglo American to mine coal abroad and had floated an expression of interest (EoI) for the same. “We have floated global expression of interest for a strategic partnership with global mining firms such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Anglo American. CIL is a great company in India but not a big name abroad and through this we are trying to make CIL a big name abroad,” he added. CIL is looking to mine coal assets in four countries — Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, and the U.S.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/11/stories/2009081156501500.htm
Coal mine plan shot down over green concerns
Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN 11 August 2009, 03:02am IST
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MUMBAI: In a major setback to Adani Powers, the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) has rejected its proposal for operating a captive
coal mine in the vicinity of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) for its 1000 MW power plant in Gondia, home town of civil aviation minister Praful Patel.
Additional chief secretary (revenue and forest) J P Dange on Monday confirmed that his office had received a comprehensive report from the PCCF, saying Adani Powers should not be allotted the 1750 hectare coal block. "We have received the report. It will be placed before the forest minister Babanrao Pachpute as well as chief minister Ashok Chavan for their opinion,'' Dange said.
A senior official said the PCCF has made it clear that if Adani Powers is granted permission to operate a captive open-cast coal mine for its proposed thermal plant, it will have an adverse impact on the environment, particularly on the TATR near Chandrapur.
As per the rules, once a proposal for allotment of a coal block is submitted to the Centre, it seeks the PCCF's opinion on its impact on the environment before further processing the application. In its proposal, Adani Powers has submitted a comprehensive mining plan, rehabilitation plan and wildlife conservation plan to the ministry of environment and forest.
A week ago, Pachpute had told TOI that till the PCCF submits the report, it will be premature to comment on the on-going agitation against the multicrore power project, while Praful Patel had taken the view that a right balance should be struck between environment and development. "We expect that the CM and Pachpute will take a decision on the PCCF recommendations within a week and submit the report to the Centre,'' a senior forest official said.
Barring Praful Patel, all MPs from Vidarbha led by Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar have opposed the proposal for allocation of the coal mine block on the ground that its operation would cause colossal damage to the rich biodiversity in and around TATR and seriously endanger the very existence of tigers in the reserve, rated as the best in India in terms of tiger population.
Significantly, even Union minister of state for environment Jairam Ramesh has also stepped in following the agitation. "The ministry of environment and forest has not received any proposal for clearing a coal mining project. As and when the proposal comes, we will take a decision keeping in view the relevant laws and regulations, which are there to protect the environment as well as the tiger reserve. I assure you that protection of the environment and the tiger reserve is my first priority,'' Ramesh said in a letter to environmental activist Bandu Dhotre.
In response to the issues raised, Adani Power submitted that a total 1,598 hectares of forest land will be acquired. On approval of the forest diversion plan, land having equivalent area will be handed over to the forest department for compensatory afforestation. "We will minimise environmental impact by good mining practices and execution of a wildlife conservation plan ,'' an official said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/mumbai/Coal-mine-plan-shot-down-over-green-concerns/articleshow/4879405.cms
Mining – International
Gold mining stocks are going up
2009-08-11 15:30:00
Parallel with the DOW, DAX, most of the stock markets & Gold, the HUI gold mining stocks have gone up as well during the last couple of weeks.
So far at 380 points the rally ended last Tuesday. Since then the HUI is slowly moving down. A failure of support around 360-365 would be a sell signal.
Until now the buy signal created by the MACD in early July is still in play. The upper Bollinger Band (US$383,95) makes higher prices in the coming week possible. The flat 50d MA (351,56) and the rising 200d MA Tagelinie (297,32) are running parallel like they do on the gold chart. Everything looks nice.
But the HUI did not confirm the last high in the Goldmarket on Thursday which is a clear warning sign. Most of the time the gold mining stocks are running ahead of gold itself.
As well I have to remember you again that gold mining stocks are moving parallel with the broad stock market. If we see a strong sell off in the stock market this autumn the HUI will be beaten down too. But in that case we will have a great buying opportunity
http://www.commodityonline.com/commodity-stocks/Gold-mining-stocks-are-going-up-2009-08-11-20303-3-1.html
Chinese farmers halt Sino Gold's White Mountain mine
Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:06am EDT
(Updates share price, adds villager comments)
SYDNEY, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Chinese farmers have forced Australian-listed Sino Gold Mining Ltd (SGX.AX) to halt operations at its White Mountain mine in northeast China in a dispute over alleged water contamination.
Sino Gold said on Tuesday that about 20 farmers had blocked road access to the underground mine in Jilin province, and were demanding compensation which the company felt was unjustified.
The farmers, most of whom live along the stream that carries discharge from the mine, complain that it is no longer clear, impeding their ability to do laundry and other daily tasks, said the village party secretary, who gave his family name as Gao.
The number of farmers blocking the road had dwindled to about a dozen by Tuesday afternoon, Gao said.
The company said independent tests of the water had refuted the farmers' allegations.
"Sino Gold is working with the relevant authorities to resolve the situation and is optimistic that full gold production will resume shortly," it said, adding that it is taking a "non-confrontational and patient approach."
White Mountain, owned 95 percent by Sino Gold, started production in January and is scheduled to ramp up over the course of this year to a full production rate of 65,000 ounces a year.
Sino Gold shares closed up 3.2 percent at A$5.80 on Tuesday in a flat overall market .AXJO. The gold price was steady at above $946 an ounce. (Reporting by Mark Bendeich and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Lucy Hornby)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSPEK19458020090811
Military to be deployed to monitor illegal mining closure in Central Java
Suherdjoko , The Jakarta Post , Semarang | Tue, 08/11/2009 5:06 PM | National
Military officers will be deployed to monitor the closure of an illegal mining site in Mt. Merapi, Central Java, a legislator said on Tuesday.
This course of action is expected to ensure that local miners will not commit further actions that destroy their environment.
"Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo has asked the legislative council for funds to shut down illegal mines, which damage the environment," legislator Kamal Fauzi said. "Local miners who now find themselves unemployed will be trained in farming.''
Governor Bibit said there were 3,000 local miners whose livelihoods depended on the mining site, as quoted by kompas.com.
In February, Bibit shut down an illegal mine in Kertek, Wonosobo, which was the primary revenue source for 719 miners. Some miners decided to take up farming, while others were offered jobs in an oil palm plantation in Kalimantan.
Kamal commented that it was difficult to prevent locals from perpetuating hazardous mining as it is their life'
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/11/military-be-deployed-monitor-illegal-mining-closure-central-java.html
Astra Energy acquires mining licenses in West Africa
Tuesday, 11 Aug 2009
Austral Coke and Projects Ltd said that its sub subsidiary Astra Energy Ltd SARL has acquired 16 mining licenses in Guinea in West Africa.
Austral Coke in a statement said that Astra Energy has acquired 1,263,000 acres of land for mining iron ore, bauxite and manganese. It added that the contract term is for 30 years with an expandable term of another 30 years.
Initially, the company plans to extract 5 million tonnes of Bauxite and Iron ore and 0.1 million tonnes of Manganese from these mines. Also, the company plans to mine coking coal in 6 licensed areas of Mozambique which is expected to have reserves of 300 million tonnes.
Austral hopes to start mining from 2010.
(Sourced from Reuters)
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/11/MTA2Njcw/Astra_Energy_acquires_mining_licenses_in_West_Africa.html
Tanzania to Table Mining Laws in October, Take Stakes in Mines
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By Ray Naluyaga
Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Tanzania will this October table mining laws which will allow it to take stakes in mines, Minerals & Energy Minister William Ngelejasaid.
The legislation will give government power to acquire a stake of between 10 percent and 15 percent in strategic gemstone mining, Ngeleja said at a seminar on mineral resources development in Dar es Salaam today.
“This will not be something automatic; it will very much depend on the government’s decision on whether a particular gemstone is strategic in government’s view or not,” he said.
Tanzania is Africa’s third-largest gold producer, after South Africa and Ghana, and holds the only known deposit of tanzanite, a precious gemstone. Barrick Gold Corp., the world’s largest producer of the metal, and third-rankingAngloGold Ashanti Ltd. are among companies with mines in the country.
A panel appointed by the nation’s president in 2007 suggested higher royalty rates and fewer tax breaks to help boost revenue from Tanzania’s mineral wealth. Mining companies want government to reconsider, saying this will lower profits.
“We do not want to enact prohibitive tax laws; we want them to be attractive to investors but where there are shortcomings we will definitely address them, Ngeleja said, declining to provide more detail.
Tanzania’s mining legislation hasn’t been reviewed for 12 years, he said. Government intends addressing compensation to those who will be required to leave areas identified for mining activities, and wants to introduce laws to enforce local procurement of goods and services.
“We want investors in the mining industry to buy locally those things which can be found in our local market, but also we will make sure that the local market meets the required standards,” he said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aEX1FW7xr.sg
Twenty dead in Slovak mine disaster
(AFP) – 14 minutes ago
HANDLOVA, Slovakia — Twenty miners were killed in Slovakia's worst mine disaster on record after an explosion at a mine in Handlova, central Slovakia, a government minister said Tuesday.
"From now on, it is clear that no one could survive. It's an immense tragedy," Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said Tuesday after 24 hours of resuce work.
"The rescuers found another body, which makes seven victims so far," mining company CEO Peter Cicmanec said at a press conference in Handlova, 190 kilometers (120 miles) from the capital Bratislava.
The government was due to meet Tuesday to declare a period of national mourning.
The explosion occurred at about 9:30 am (0730 GMT) on Monday as the miners were putting out a fire in the mine some 330 meters (1,100 feet) underground.
Officials had initially indicated 18 miners were missing in the blast at the 'brown coal' or lignite mine.
Nine miners who escaped the blast with minor injuries were treated in a hospital and released Monday.
The mining accident is the worst on record in Slovakia, a country of 5.4 million people that joined the European Union in 2004.
In November 2006 four miners were killed when a shaft caved-in at the central Slovak Novaky coal mine in what was Slovakia's largest mining accident until Monday.
With a work force of some 4,100, Hornonitrianske Banke Prievidza is Slovakia's top brown coal producer, supplying fuel to the nearby Novaky heating plant.
The mine produces some 2.2 million tonnes of lignite per year and has plans to open new mines in the region after the discovery of deposits of some 7.2 million tonnes.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jdMCub6jc5LGPe2gPejexiintVmg
Rio says seen no evidence for China detentions
Tue Aug 11, 2009 3:52pm IST
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By Rob Taylor
CANBERRA (Reuters) - Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto said on Tuesday it had yet to be presented with any evidence to support the detention of four of its China-based staff on suspicions of stealing state secrets.
The mining giant said it had also not been informed of any charges against its detained staff, which include Rio Tinto's top iron-ore salesman in China, Australian Stern Hu.
Hu and three Chinese colleagues were detained a month ago on suspicion of spying on Chinese steel mills. Rio, the world's second-largest iron ore producer, and Anglo-Australian firm BHP Billiton, the third-largest producer, are currently locked in iron ore price negotiations with China.
"We are still not aware of any evidence that would support their detention," said Rio's iron ore division chief Sam Walsh.
"We continue to be concerned for the health and welfare of our three other employees detained at the same time as Stern Hu," Walsh said in a statement, noting that the Australian government had informed the company that Hu was well.
The Rio detentions have cast a shadow over Australia-China trade, worth $53 billion in two-way terms in 2008.
In a growing war of words between Australia and China, Smith delivered a veiled warning on Tuesday for Beijing to rein in its diplomats after its embassy tried to block a speech in Canberra by an exiled leader of China's Uighur Muslim minority.
An online article published in a magazine run by China's state secrets agency at the weekend said Rio spied on Chinese mills for six years, resulting in the mills overpaying $102 billion for iron ore, Rio Tinto's biggest earner.
The Australian government on Tuesday brushed off the Chinese report accusing Rio of overcharging and spying on Chinese steel mills, saying it had not been officially sanctioned.
"It is now quite clear, given that the article has been taken off the website, that it was essentially the opinion of the individual writer, and not if you like officially sanctioned," Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said.
Rio Tinto's shares were some 2.2 percent lower at A$57.22 at midday on Tuesday, continuing a 3 percent slide the previous day amid investors nerves over the miner's relations with China.
AUSTRALIA-CHINA TIES
Australian diplomats had made a fresh appeal for China to grant legal representation to China-born Hu after they were allowed only their second visit to his Shanghai detention centre late last week, Smith said.
"We were very pleased to see that his health and welfare continues to be in good order," Smith told state radio.
Jiang Ruqin, the author of the article that laid out the allegations, said the claim of losses came from Chinese media reports, including his statement that indications that Rio had been spying for six years came from seized computers.
"I don't have any special knowledge. I am not a steel industry insider," he told Reuters.
The website (www.baomi.org) was inaccessible on Tuesday, but the article could be found on other Chinese-language websites.
The figure of $102 billion appeared to derive from an academic assessment of how much more the steel industry has paid for iron ore since 2003, but that higher cost was more than offset by rising steel prices as China's economy grew.
David Kelly, a professor of Chinese studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, speaking in Beijing, said it was unclear how much Chinese government weight was reflected in the article.
"I would suggest that at least it reflected a powerful view of at least part of the bureaucracy," said Kelly.
In a further sign of brittle relations, the Chinese embassy's political counsellor, Liu Jing, asked management at Canberra's National Press Club last week to drop an invitation to Rebiya Kadeer to speak on Tuesday, the club said.
Kadeer is blamed by Beijing for instigating last month's ethnic riots in Xinjiang province, which left 197 people dead, mostly Han Chinese, and wounded more than 1,600.
"Embassies, diplomats, officials are entitled to put views in Australian society, but when they put those views, those views have to be put appropriately," Smith said.
(Additional reporting by Chris Buckley and Lucy Hornby in BEIJING and James Grubel in CANBERRA)
http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-41683420090811?sp=true
Other News
Laws, Not Words, Urged on Indigenous Rights Day
August 10, 2009
Oxfam America, OneWorld US, Oxfam International, Survivor International, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
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WASHINGTON, Aug 10 (OneWorld.net) - Commemorating yesterday's UN Day of Indigenous Peoples, an international rights group is urging all the world's nations to ratify an international law recognizing and protecting the land rights of indigenous people.
Indigenous Peruvians © gekgraphics (flickr)What's the Story?
ILO Convention 169 guaranteesindigenous peoples' right to land ownership, equality, freedom, and involvement in the decision-making processes of projects that affect them.
"Tribal peoples are among the most marginalised and vulnerable peoples in the world," notes Stephen Corry, director of the UK-based advocacy group Survival International. "When their land is taken from them, often in the name of development, they lose everything. If world leaders are serious about human rights, and about saving the rainforests, they will ratify this law." [See the full statement from Survival International below.]
The Convention was first adopted in 1989 and ratified by 20 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, The Netherlands, Norway, and Spain.
Today, indigenous people constitute about 5 percent of the world's population and possess the legal rights over about 6 percent of the planet's land, but theyaccount for about 15 percent of the world's poor.
Most indigenous communities live very traditionally, relying heavily on the land for their sustenance and cultural vitality. But in recent decades, many have found themselves fighting regular battles against governments and corporations that want to take posession of these ancestral lands to extract natural resources like gold, oil, and timber.
UK Foot-Dragging Targeted
Many nations that have not ratified ILO 169, such as the United Kingdom, cite their country's lack of indigenous populations. But other nations without significant indigenous populations, like Spain and the Netherlands, have stepped forward to ratify the law.
Like many countries that have not ratified the agreement, the United Kingdom operates development projects and countless other operations across the world. ILO 169 would ensure the government's legal obligation to consult tribal peoples whenever such projects affect them, including those undertaken by British companies based abroad.
The UK government also points to its support of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples, an assertion of international standards regarding the treatment of indigenous, as evidence of its goodwill. But because the Declaration has no legal provisions, it establishes no international law.
Currently, the British government has no official policy regarding the impact of its work overseas on indigenous people, notes Survival International, adding that simply ratifying ILO 169 would rectify that omission.
Mining the Niyamgiri Hills
This past May, protests were held in Britain against the mining company Vedanta's plans to build an open-pit bauxite mine in the Niyamgiri Hills, a mountain range in eastern India that is home to over 8,000 Dongria Kondh people.
According to reports by Survival International, the Dongria were never consulted by the company or informed of the plan's environmental impacts.
The bauxite mine would pollute streams and destroy forests that the Dongria depend on for sustenance, endangering the tribe's health and a mountain considered sacred in local religion. The nearest community lies just 12 km from the mine site, a distance which Vedanta said will cause "some persons...to lose their land fully or partially."
India's Supreme Court gave the mine the go-ahead in August 2008, but local people responded by erecting regular roadblocks to keep construction vehicles off the mountain.
"There was no Vedanta government earlier, we are used to the Indian government," said Lodu Sikaka, a Dongria Kondh. "Vedanta government has come and devastated so many people. It is not letting us live in peace. It is killing so many people and it is also wiping out our Gods and trees and hills."
Creating a Global Framework for Justice
A series of summits in Peru in May 2009 affirmed that international legislation such as ILO Convention 169 is vital to establish precedents that protect the sovereignty and rights of indigenous peoples.
In Latin America alone there are an estimated 400 indigenous groups, amounting to about 45 million people. These groups suffer from extremely high rates of poverty and lower life expectancy, and the encroachment of oil and gas projects on their land represents a threat to their voluntary isolation.
Indigenous tribes in South America must deal with mining, logging, and other extraction activities now covering over 688,000 square kilometers of the Amazon -- an area nearly the size of the enormous U.S. state of Texas.
Human rights groups say such encroachment will doubtlessly continue to threaten native ways of life unless a firm legislative framework is constructed to protect indigenous communities across the globe -- and ILO Convention 169 represents one of the most basic forms of protection, they say.
- This article was compiled by David Iaconangelo.
Sign tribal peoples' law and help save rainforests - call for action on UN Indigenous Peoples' Day
From: Survival International
8/6/2009
As the UN Day of Indigenous Peoples approaches on Sunday, Survival is renewing its call for countries to sign up to the international law for tribal peoples.
ILO Convention 169, which marks its twentieth anniversary this year, is the only international law to recognize and protect the land rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. It is also a key instrument in the battle to save the world's rainforests, putting control of the land back in the hands of the people who have looked after it for generations.
Davi Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman from the Brazilian Amazon dubbed ‘the Dalai Lama of the rainforest', says, ‘I'm asking all governments to sign ILO 169 to guarantee our rights.'
To date, just twenty countries have ratified ILO 169, only three of which are members of the EU.
The UK refuses to ratify ILO 169 on the basis that there are no tribal peoples in the country, ignoring the impact of British-run projects on tribal communities. So far, 93 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion in parliament calling on the government to ratify the Convention without delay.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, ‘Tribal peoples are among the most marginalised and vulnerable peoples in the world. When their land is taken from them, often in the name of development, they lose everything. If world leaders are serious about human rights, and about saving the rainforests, they will ratify this law.'
http://us.oneworld.net/article/365962-on-day-indigenous-rights-a-call-action
Govt. Failed to Give Food to 3 million Drought Hit Vidarbha Tribals
Only 5% vidarbha tribals getting khawati benefits-Voilation of High court Directives-
Nagpur -11th August 2009
In Maharashtra food grain in the name khawati karz-foodGrain loan being implemented since 1989 by tribal dept. has hit hard this year as even after state Govt. has as per order of dated 19th June 2009 has waived off all pending food grain loan popularly known kawati amounting Rs.185 crore benefiting more than 9.6 lacs tribal families but all eligible families after this food grain loan waiver has not been given fresh food grain under scheme and they are now facing starvation as tribal belt of Maharashtra. In fact after repeated directives by the Nagpur Bench of Mumbai high Court, the Tribal Welfare Ministry has not taken steps to check rising malnutrition and tribals in Vidarbha.
Though the government has started distribution of khawati to the tribals in the form of food and finance, only 5% of the eligible tribals are being offered the aid, specially in tribal areas in Amravati, Yavatamal, Gadchiroli districts alleged Vidarbha Jan Aandolan Samiti.
Due the government’s decision, as many as 9,60,000 tribals in the region will be deprived of the khawati scheme benefit.Under khawati scheme, 70% aid is provided in the form of food grains while 30% is given in cash. “ This reflects the government’s anti-tribal policy” said VJAS’ president Kishore Tiwari.
District-wise tribal beneficiaries under Khawati scheme
District Eligible tribals Actual Benificiaries
Amravati
Yavatamal
Bhandara
Chandrapur
Gadchiroli 1,81,113
1,96,000
1,82,000
1,92,000
2,60,000 9,460
13,216
8,530
8,400
11,510
Total 10,11,116 51,116
A division bench consisting of Justice Dilip Sinha and Justice A.P.Bhangala while hearing a letter petition filed by VJAS regarding implementation of khawati schemes in tribal areas, has given the verdict. However due to failure of official machinery to supply adequate food grains before onset of rainy season, malnutrition deaths have occurred in the districts. The Court had fixed May 31 as the deadline for distribution of the benefits under the scheme. Since not even a single penny was distributed under the scheme well-past the deadline, the Court slammed the government and it latter sprung to action.
VJAS has submitted the memorandum to Maharashtra chief minister ashok chavan to arrange to provide khawati karz that food garin in the loan under fund avaialble tribal sub plan to these dying tribals of vidarbha as it's nessesary for state to protect life innocent tribals under severe drought condition . 3 million Tribals of vidarbha who are elligible but till not getting the food grain under khawati karz scheme will boycott the forth coming assembly election if demands are not fulfilled.
http://kishortiwari.blogspot.com/2009/08/govt-failed-to-give-food-to-3-million.html
“Tinkering with NREGA will hit poor”
Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Fourteen organisations have opposed the manner in which the United Progressive Alliance government has been rushing through the restructuring of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which they say is against the spirit of the law and to the detriment of Dalits and the poor.
Outlining the opposition registered by 14 organisations at a meeting recently, the People’s Action for Employment Guarantee on Monday accused the government of subverting democratic institutions by allowing NREGA works on private land of small and marginal farmers without any consultation.
Aruna Roy of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Jean Dreze, a visiting professor of Allahabad University, Dunu Roy of the Sanjha Manch, Arundhati Dhuru of the National Alliance for People’s Movement, Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women, Nikhil Dey and Kiran Shaheen said the Ministry of Rural Development did not care to go through the consultative process before taking a major decision in respect of the NREGA.
Underscoring the major change in the government’s approach post-elections, the activists demanded that it withdraw the decision forthwith, as the NREGA was in the main meant to benefit the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Dalits, below poverty line households and land-allottees. They alleged that it would lead to subsidising semi-agricultural activity of the more powerful vested group. Furthermore, monitoring the work on private fields was not easy for government agencies.
The activists said they were at a loss to understand the government’s decision to freeze wages. It was the prerogative of the State governments to decide the issue, and none could be denied the minimum wage, they reasoned. They demanded the withdrawal of the order and hoped the Congress would keep in mind its poll promise of increasing the NREGA wage to Rs.100, linking it to the price index, and providing each adult with a job. They also condemned the decision to allow the use of machines for works in violation of the law that makes labour component mandatory in expenses.
The proposal for convergence of schemes with other departments was another attempt at usurping the powers of gram sabhas. Without the necessary safeguards, they said, this would only allow contractors and machines to dominate the scheme, to the disadvantage of the poor.
The Ministry will outline the new features of the NREGA at a function scheduled for August 20. It will be attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.
These leaders hoped the government would not announce any decision at the meeting, and instead put forward proposals to facilitate debate. They sought a law for guaranteeing employment in urban areas, providing for living wages and social security.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/11/stories/2009081160881100.htm
Current Status of Monsoon 2009 (1 June – 09 August)
________________________________________
13:54 IST
Following is the Current Status of Monsoon-2009 issued by India Meteorological Department:
The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole during 1 June to 09 August 2009 has been 28% below the Long Period Average (LPA). Progressive week by week cumulative rainfall departure from LPA during monsoon season 2009 for the country as a whole and over the four broad homogeneous regions of India are given in Table 1.
Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions, the cumulative rainfall during 1 June to 09 August has been excess/normal over 9 and deficient over 24 and scanty over three (West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi and Telengana) sub-divisions.
Table 1. Week by week progress of monsoon rainfall
Period ending Country as a whole Northwest India Central India South Peninsula North East India
03.06.09 -32 -40 -50 -14 -32
10.06.09 -39 -31 -56 -15 -44
17.06.09 -45 -26 -72 -21 -46
24.06.09 -54 -49 -73 -38 -55
01.07.09 -46 -45 -59 -31 -41
08.07.09 -36 -50 -40 -18 -34
15.07.09 -27 -43 -15 -12 -40
22.07.09 -19 -38 03 -6 -43
29.07.09 -19 -33 01 -15 -39
05.08.09 -25 -40 -13 -18 -36
09.08.09 -28 -42 -19 -22 -36
2009The sub-divisions with deficiency of 50% or more include West Uttar Pradesh (-67%), Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi (-64%), Telangana (-60%), East Uttar Pradesh (-53%) andRayalaseema (-50%).
Current Situation
The southwest monsoon activity is likely to improve during current week as the axis of monsoon trough has shifted southward and currently lies near its normal position running tonorth Bay of Bengal.
An upper air cyclonic circulation lies over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoiningGangetic West Bengal and north coastal Orissa, extending upto midtropospheric levels.
With the above scenario, fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy falls is likely over central and eastern India during next 2-3 days. The rainfall activity is also likely to increase over plains of northwest India and adjoining Rajasthan from 12th August 2009 onwards for subsequent two to three days.
Updated Monsoon Forecast
In view of prevailing rainfall scenario and inputs from statistical and numerical weather prediction (NWP) models based on latest data, forecast of rainfall during the month of August is revised to 90% ( ± 9%) of normal against earlier forecast of 101% and seasonal forecast (June to September) is revised to 87% ( ± 4%).
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51758
PM for a “new deal” for Urban Street Vendors
________________________________________
16:34 IST
The Prime Minister has impressed upon the Chief Ministers to take "personal" interest to ensure that the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors 2009 is vigorously and sincerely implemented by the state governments.
The following is the text Prime Minister’s letter to the Chief Ministers:
“As you are aware, Government of India has revised the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors formulated in the year 2004. The revised National Policy on Urban Street Vendors 2009 aims at ensuring that urban street vendors are given due recognition at national, state and local levels to pursue economic activity without harassment and at the same time, locations on which such activity is to be pursued are earmarked in zoning plans.
The revised Policy underscores the need for a legislative framework to enable street vendors to pursue a honest living without harassment from any quarter. Accordingly, a. Model Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2009 has also been drafted. The revised Policy and Model Bill have already been forwarded by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation to the States/UTs.
I would earnestly seek your personal intervention with regard to the following:
i) Implement the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors 2009 and taking into account the Model Bill take proactive action to enact a legislation to enable street vendors to ply their trade without harassment.
ii) Take steps to restructure Master Planning laws and City/Local Area Plans to make them 'inclusive' and address the requirements of space for street vending as an important urban activity. Suitable spatial planning "norms" for reservation of space for street vendors in accordance with their current population and projected growth may be devised.
iii) Ensure the demarcation of 'Restriction-free Vending Zones', 'Restricted Vending Zones', 'No-vending Zones' and 'Mobile Vending Areas' in every city/town, taking into account the natural propensity of street vendors to locate in certain places at certain times in response to patterns of demand for their goods/services or the formation of "natural markets", traffic congestion and other factors in view.
iv) Take steps for convergent delivery of various Government programmes for the benefit of street vendors such as Swarna Jayanti Shahri Rojgar Yojana, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme, Skill Development Initiative, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, National Social Assistance Programme and other welfare schemes.
I hope you will take steps to accord a new deal to the urban street vendors as a group who need space and facilities for their legitimate activities.”
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51728&kwd=
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