14-08-09

Mining – India
1. Orissa to respond to MMDR Act amendment in a month
2. Goa draft mineral policy allows mining near sanctuaries
3. Mining scam probe an ‘eyewash’
4. Gujarat urges to reserve 70pct of coal blocks for power sector
5. Orissa govt wants an IAS for the post of Director of Mines
6. Govt urged to check illegal mining
Mining – Intenational
7. Gold production milestone at mine
8. All 20 Bodies of Handlova Tragedy Victims Brought Above Ground
9. Sale of state mining assets suspended
10. Quadra to ship first copper from new Chile mine next month
11. Zim aiming to be mining investment destination of choice
12. Kenyan gang kills noted geologist in mine dispute
13. Osisko Mining raises $130 million more
14. Rio to sell North American coal mines
Other News
15. Central Government has so far stipulated compensatory AFFORESTATION OVER 13.04 LAKH HECTARE OF LAND
16. Government proposes to expand the Tiger Projects and Sanctuaries
17. Government propose to set up a venture capital fund to promote green technologies
18. Prior approval to proposals under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in two stages
19. President gives away National Urban Water Awards 2009
20. New CRZ Act to protect traditional rights of fisherman community
21. 223 tribal families to be shifted from Similipal Tiger Reserve core area




Mining – India

Orissa to respond to MMDR Act amendment in a month

Bishnu Dash / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar August 14, 2009, 0:47 IST

The Orissa government is likely to finalise its response to the proposed amendment to the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) in a month.
A preliminary meeting was held between the officials of the ministry of mines and the state mines department officials in New Delhi recently. State steel and mines secretary Ashok Dalwai attended the meeting.
The state mines secretaries were apprised about the amended act and were asked to send the comments of their respective governments at the earliest. The Centre plans to introduce the proposed amendment in the coming winter session of parliament.
“We will now work on framing the response to the proposed amendment in the MMDR Act, 1957. The response will be ready within a month”, Dalwai told Business Standard.
Official sources here said, the proposed amendment aims to promote value addition in the allotment mines to the existing players.
The units, which have already made investment on the ground, are proposed to be given preference. While discouraging export of iron ore, the new act intends to encourage use of iron ore inside the country. Besides, it proposes to reduce the time taken for disposal of mining applications to six months.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/orissa-to-respond-to-mmdr-act-amendment-inmonth/366931/

Goa draft mineral policy allows mining near sanctuaries

August 14th, 2009 - 12:33 pm ICT by IANS -
Panaji, Aug 14 (IANS) The Goa environment ministry ordered the closure of 12 mines last week for their proximity to wildlife sanctuaries, but the government’s new draft mineral policy allows mining in close vicinity of the protected areas.
The draft mining policy, which was tabled during the budget session of the Goa legislative assembly, clearly advocates mining near the state’s wildlife sanctuaries, which are a part of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
“Mining leases/prospecting licences within close proximity from already declared wildlife sanctuaries would be considered provided they adhere to additional safeguards and guidelines whilst operating so as to reduce any adverse effect on the environment,” the draft mining policy states.
On Aug 6, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira had ordered the closure of 12 mines, including one leased to mining giant Sesa Goa for their alleged proximity to wildlife sanctuaries.
The draft policy, however, does not permit mining within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks “for the time being”.
“The state government is also of the view that while it is necessary to earmark mining areas, presently no prospecting leases should be allotted in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Similarly, no prospecting leases on wetlands should be allowed for the time being,” the document states.
The draft policy also aims to evolve a mechanism to end dormant non-operational mining leases issued by the Portuguese government, which ruled Goa before the state was liberated in 1961.
“A number of mining concessions are being kept idle for speculative purposes and future mining… The state government is also concerned with issues of conservation of minerals as well as sustainable development and as such would discourage opening existing dormant leases uniformly,” the draft policy states, adding that no such dormant leases would be permitted to work without an environmental clearance and forest clearance, wherever required.
While the state government’s draft mining policy clearly advocates mining in close proximity of wildlife sanctuaries, it also speaks of maintaining the ecological balance in the state.
The draft mining policy is the brainchild of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is also the minister for mining.
“It would be the endeavour of the state government to ensure that mining activities do not create an adverse impact to the environment and ecology,” the policy states.
There are more than a 100 mining leases in Goa’s hinterland, which export nearly 30 million tonnes of iron ore annually.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/goa-draft-mineral-policy-allows-mining-near-sanctuaries_100232259.html

Mining scam probe an ‘eyewash’

;Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, 13 AUG: The BJP Legislature Party leader Mr KV Singh Deo today presented documents to hammer home his point that the government was aware of the multi-crore mining scam much before it was exposed by him in the Assembly and that the action taken by the vigilance over the last two days is an ‘eyewash’.
Addressing a Press conference here today, Mr KV Singh Deo alleged that the action taken by vigilance was to divert public attention and leave the door open for the real culprits to escape. He quoted letters and communication between a petitioner and the central vigilance commission to the government.
The director of mines had carried out raids on two companies and submitted a report to the government but nobody is talking about it, he observed.
"All that has happened over the last couple of days in terms of vigilance raids, the arrest of junior officers and their being charged under lighter sections is an attempt to cover up and protect the clean image of the chief minister," alleged the BJP leader.
He underlined the point that the CM had held the steel and mines portfolio for a certain period and he ought to have known about the fraudulent leases, power of attorney holders etc.
The CM is also in charge of the forest department and in this multi-crore mining scam, reserve forest has been mined illegally, stated Mr Singh Deo.
A senior IAS officer and a top officer of the mines department have also been left out of the purview of the vigilance probe only to complete the cover up operations, he alleged.
Justifying the demand for a CBI probe, he said all these persons cannot be probed by the state vigilance which is directly under the CM. Moreover, the directors of one of the companies, Ram Bhadur Thakur Ltd, are based in London and hence, he argued, the case should be handed over to the CBI.
The CM and the government cannot wash their hands of this, because in one of the mining cases, one Mr Shravan Kumar Deb had petitioned the state government, state vigilance and the central vigilance commission. The CVC had referred the matter to the chief secretary, so the government cannot plead ignorance as far as the MS Deb and BC Deb mines scandal is concerned, said Mr Singh Deo.
Replying to questions on why he felt that the vigilance was going soft on the culprits, Mr Singh Deo said: "They have gone after the small fish only and that too with lighter sections of the law like the Prevention of Corruption Act and Criminal Conspiracy." The crime attracts several other stringent provisions like Sections 201 ,379, 392, 409, 420, 468 and 506 of the IPC but these have not been included, he said.
The BJP leader said he had raised several aspects of the entire scam in the mining sector and what occurred with Ram Bahadur Thakur Ltd and a power of attorney holder Mr SR Das was only one of the instances. But strangely, the vigilance has probed into this single RBT case without enquiring into the Arjun Lada company, MS Deb mines etc despite their being raised by Mr Deo in the Assembly. The BJP will continue to agitate till the entire scam is unearthed and the culprits brought to book, he informed, adding that the party will launch a state-wide agitation on 17 August.

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=264680

Gujarat urges to reserve 70pct of coal blocks for power sector

Friday, 14 Aug 2009
It is reported that Gujarat has urged the central government to reserve 70% of coal blocks for the power sector.

As per report, Mr Saurabhbhai Patel energy and petrochemicals minister of Gujarat, in a meeting with Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal union minister for power, urged the central government that the present arrangement of allotting coal mines to state governments should be continued.

Mr Patel also urged that lignite mines should be kept in reserve for only state governments for power generation and distribution for small and medium industries. He said that lignite is available in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. All these states are located far from coal mines and transportation cost of coal is very high which justifies reserving lignite mines.

He further welcomed the proposed amendment for introduction for allotment of coal blocks through competitive bidding in order to promote private investments in coal mining sector for steel, cement and power. The state will participate with Coal India for overseas acquisition of coal mines in Indonesia, South Africa among other countries.

(Sourced from Times of India)

http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/14/MTA3MDc5/Gujarat_urges_to_reserve_70pct_of_coal_blocks_for_power_sector.html


Orissa govt wants an IAS for the post of Director of Mines

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Published by: Noor Khan
Published: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 at 23:08 IST
Cuttack, Aug 13 Orissa government has sought permission of the High Court to post an IAS officer as the Director of Mines and urged it to vacate its status quo order over seniority in the department.

The case moved by the state Advocate General Ashok Mohanty yesterday assumes significance in view of the current vigilance inquiry going on in the Keonjhar mining scam involving Rs 110 crore in which top officials including two joint directors of mines department are entangled.

One of the joint directors, Ganeswar Mohanty, who claims to be the senior most in the department to assume the charge as the Director of Mines, had approached the State Administration Tribunal (SAT).

But even as Mohanty's case was pending in SAT, the state government appointed the other Joint Director R N Sahu as the in-charge director of the department.

Challenging the government move, Mohanty then approached the High Court and obtained a favourable order.

Later on, upon Sahu's appeal, the High Court directed the government to maintain status quo in the matter leaving Sahu to continue as the acting director.

"As status quo order of the High Court is in force, the government is unable to make fresh appointment to the all- important post. Moreover, with top department officials coming under vigilance net and getting arrested too has made it necessary to immediately appoint a permanent director in the department," said the state advocate general after filing the case.

http://www.samaylive.com/news/orissa-govt-wants-an-ias-for-the-post-of-director-of-mines/646948.html

Govt urged to check illegal mining

TNN 13 August 2009, 10:31pm IST

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HUBLI: National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) has threatened to stage nation-wide protest if the government fails to take


immediate action on illegal mining in Bellary and in the border areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Environment activists from across the country discussed the matter at a meeting recently. Briefing reporters about the meeting here on Thursday, S R Hiremath said they have dashed off a letter to chief minister, asking him to check illegal mining.

He said the activists have raised serious concerns about the "biased stand" of the Andhra government, as reflected in their letters to the Centre. "The height is that the Andhra government has urged the Centre to accept its biased survey report, which sided with the Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by the Reddy brothers. It had also gone to the extent of protesting the survey conducted by the Survey of India," he claimed.

However, Hiremath welcomed the decision of ministry of environment and forests to dismiss the appeal made by the Andhra government. But the activists, raising objection to the ministry's remarks that the AP report should also be looked into, have asked it to uphold its earlier stand of conducting a survey by a central agency.

It has said that the survey by a central agency is a must for resolving the issues of illegal mining and the "alleged" encroachments of the borders of Karnataka by the OMC.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/hubli/Govt-urged-to-check-illegal-mining/articleshow/4891300.cms


Mining – Intenational

Gold production milestone at mine

MARCUS MARROW
14/08/2009 8:21:00 AM
Today marks a special anniversary for Stawell Gold Mines, who celebrate twenty-five years of continuous gold production in Stawell.
Mine management and staff will acknowledge the milestone with a special celebration throughout the day.
General manager, Troy Cole, said it was a significant day in the mine's history and was a thrill for the mine to be celebrating its 25th anniversary of continuous production.
``We are proud of the fact that Stawell Gold Mines has achieved such a significant milestone within its modern production era,'' Mr Cole said.
``Twenty-five years of continuous gold production makes Stawell Gold Mines one of the oldest and longest running operations of its kind in Australia.
``This reflects the World Class Ore Body in which it has been often referred. This achievement is a testament to the belief of both past and present employees, corporate entities and the community of Stawell.''
Mr Cole said news regarding the future of Stawell Gold Mines had continued to be positive.
He said the June 2009 Resource and Reserve figures had been released and showed an extension of mine life to the second quarter of 2012.
``These resource and reserve figures reflect 313,000 ounces of gold in reserve with a following 268,000 ounces of indicated resource reported,'' Mr Cole said.
The first modern era gold bar was poured by Western Mining Corporation on August 14, 1984, weighing a modest 150 ounces and worth $57,000 at the time of production.
Today's gold production produces bars weighing approximately 600 ounces, worth in excess of $700,000 pending market conditions.
During the 25 years of gold production Stawell Gold Mines has produced approximately 1,948,300 ounces of gold in 5330 bars.
At today's gold price this would be worth in excess of $2 billion.
Historically, a total gold endowment of 4.5 million ounces has been produced from the Stawell region since gold was first discovered in 1855.
Western Mining Corporation re-commenced mining operations in 1981, approximately 60 years on from the last of the historical mining activity.
A succession of corporate interests have managed the Stawell Gold Mine and is presently operated by Northgate Australian Ventures Corporation.
The mine conducted a special gold pour in late June to commence the milestone celebrations. The gold pour was attended by Brian Micke, who was Mine Manager at the time of the first gold pour 25 years ago. Mr Micke will not be present for the celebration today, so the mine decided to conduct a special pour in his presence.
How the past 25 years of continuous gold production in Stawell have unfolded:
Re-opened by Western Mining Corporation in 1981.
Operated by WMC 1981 - 1992, then from 1992 - 2002 by Mining Project Investors and Pittston Minerals.
2002 to 2004 operated by MPI.
2004 - 2006 operated by Leviathan Resources.
Perseverance Acquisition of Stawell Gold Mines took place in 2007.
Northgate Australia Ventures Corporation acquisition of Perseverance took place in February 2008. The company still successfully operates Stawell Gold Mines.

http://www.stawelltimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/gold-production-milestone-at-mine/1595919.aspx?storypage=0

All 20 Bodies of Handlova Tragedy Victims Brought Above Ground

Handlova, August 13 (TASR) - The bodies of all the 20 miners and firefighters who were killed in the explosion at Handlova Mine (Trencin region) on Monday have already been removed from the mine, Upper Nitra Mines Prievidza (Trencin region) spokesperson Adriana Sivakova told TASR on Thursday.
The bodies will now be transported to Martin Hospital (Zilina region), where autopsies will be carried out and the bodies identified via DNA tests.
During the night, a rescue team explored the Eastern Shaft where the explosion took place, neutralising the remaining dangers, and trying to get as close as possible to the epicentre of the fire that led to the blast. They were only able to get as far as 15 metres from the probable epicentre, however, due to the poor conditions and temperatures reaching 60°C.
The rescuers will continue their efforts to make the site of the tragedy accessible to inspectors from the Regional Miners Office in Prievidza and possibly also the police. In order to achieve this, the fire will have to be fully extinguished, the temperature reduced and the air made breathable again. "It isn't possible to say exactly how long this work will take. We suppose that it may take two to three months," said Sivakova.
The management of the mine has adopted special measures in other parts of the mine as well. Mining in productive shafts where brown coal is extracted has been put on hold. Employees are only carrying out essential reconstruction and maintenance work. Many of the 500 people who work at the mine have taken holidays.


http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20090813TBB00225

Sale of state mining assets suspended

August 14, 2009

By Donwald Pressly

THE Cabinet has approved a decision to delay the sale of mining assets held by state-owned entities pending the outcome of an audit.

The audit is designed to help the government decide whether to consolidate, sell or retain the assets and aims to establish how many parastatals own mining assets or have an interest in mining.

It is also intended to establish what to do with abandoned mines in the Gauteng and Free State, as new technology now allows for resources to be extracted from the old mines.

The director-general for minerals and energy, Sandile Nogxina, said the audit had resulted from a debate in government circles about establishing a state mining company that would embrace all forms of mining.

Nogxina noted that the state was already involved in diamond mining through Alexkor and it held mining rights through the Limpopo Economic Development Enterprise.

The existence of African Mining and Exploration, which was part of the Central Energy Fund group, had also been discovered, he said. The company was established in 1944, during the war years, by the Jan Smuts government "and is dormant right now". It held coal mining rights.

"We also need to establish whether Eskom has mining rights and also whether it is appropriate for them to continue having them," Nogxina said.

He said the audit would look at interests that were held by local, provincial and national government.

Both the Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty, who fielded questions at a cabinet briefing yesterday, and government spokesman Themba Maseko would not be drawn on what had motivated the cabinet's decision. Surty said the state's "strategic interests" had to be considered.



Time frames on the moratorium are not clear but the government said it needed time to carry out the audit.

Ministry spokesman Jeremy Michaels said Mining Minister Susan Shabangu would not make a statement but he pointed out that mineral assets were, in any case, the property of the state.

Nogxina said the department had not thought about time frames.

"It may take two weeks, it may take 12 months. What we need to do is sit down and look at the terms of reference and implementing those terms."

Fred Gona, an ANC MP and the mineral resources portfolio committee chairperson, has supported the proposal for a government-controlled mining company. He has suggested that this should mine coal, gold, platinum and diamonds which, at the discretion of the minister, could be classified as strategic minerals in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act.

DA minerals spokesman Hendrik Schmidt said he opposed this idea given "the dismal performances of parastatals such as Eskom, Denel and the SAA". Alexkor was not doing too well either, he noted.

Economists.co.za chief executive Mike Schussler believed it was inappropriate to place a moratorium on sales at a time when private capital needed to be injected into the operations to provide royalties to the state.

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5124262&fSectionId=561&fSetId=662

Quadra to ship first copper from new Chile mine next month

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By: Liezel Hill
14th August 2009
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TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed Quadra Mining has started harvesting cathode copper at its Franke operation, in Chile, and expects to make the first shipment from the mine in September, CEO Paul Blythe said on Thursday.
The Franke processing plant was designed with a capacity to produce 66-million pounds a year of copper cathode over its current 9 year mine life.

Quadra bought the asset earlier this year when it acquired Centenario Copper. Centenario had substantially completed construction, but ran into funding difficulties, which delayed mechanical completion and commissioning.

A senior management team has now been put in place at the operation and the mining contractor has resumed operations in the Franke pit, Blythe reported.

The crushing and agglomeration system has been commissioned and is delivering material to the leach pads and the SX/EW plant is receiving copper-bearing solution.

Unfortunately, the ramp-up schedule has been pushed back because of some design- and construction-related difficulties, including problems with the quality of the construction of the solution pond liner and the type and installation of the primary crusher feeder, he said.

The pond issues were essentially resolved during the second quarter, but the feeder remains a “work in progress”, Blythe said.

The modifications should be completed by the end of the year, and the company has installed a temporary crusher in the meantime.

While the crusher issues may cause delays in getting production to design capacity, the company still expects to produce between 10-million and 15-million pounds of copper cathode at Franke over the rest of the year.

DISAPPOINTING

Quadra also ran into operational setbacks at its other two mines, the Carlota operation in Arizona and the Robinson mine, in Nevada.

“We had several operational challenges during the quarter, which is always disappointing,” Blythe commented.

At the Robinson mine, production was lower than expected after the Mine Safety and Health Administration raised concerns about a pit wall, which limited the company's access to the hypogene ore zone.

Hypogene ore at Robinson is blended with supergene ore to improve metallurgical performance.

The company has since agreed with the regulator on measures to resolve the safety concerns, including some changes to the pit design, but has had to reduce its annual copper guidance for 2009 by 10-million pounds, or 7%.

Gold output remains unchanged, though.

At Carlota, the company has spent longer than expected on the pit wall above the Pinto Creek diversion, which has meant equipment has been reallocated to the diversion and resulted in lower volumes of fresh high-grade ore going to the leach pads.

This situation is expected to improve going forward, Blythe said.

At Carlota, Quadra has reduced guidance to 35-million pounds of cathode copper, from 50-million pounds.
The company reported a second-quarter net loss of $7,3-million, including a $17-million derivatives loss.

STRATEGIC PARTNER

After Franke, Quadra's next most advanced project is the Sierra Gorda asset, also in Chile.

The firm completed a scoping study in July, which indicated it could produce between 250-million and 400-million pounds of copper a year over a 25-year mine life.

Average cash costs are estimated at $0,79/lb, and the project also contains molybdenum, with moly output estimated at some 33-million pounds a year for the first eight years, and declining thereafter.

Quadra now plans to move the project into prefeasibility and feasibility study, which it expects should cost about $40-million altogether.

Blythe said the firm doesn't plan to finance the construction of Sierra Gorda alone and is looking for a strategic partner for the asset.

He would prefer to have a partner come on early in the process, so that everyone is on the same page when the time comes to make a production decision.

“We think now is the appropriate time to be looking,” he said.

The firm is looking first at entities that would be interested in securing offtake in exchange for bringing finance to the table for the construction of the mine.

Shares in Quadra gained 7% on Thursday, to C$12,51 apiece by 16:16 in Toronto.

The price of copper surged to its highest level this year, above $2,90/lb in New York futures trade, driven by better economic and demand growth outlook in the US, France and Germany.
Edited by: Liezel Hill

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/quadra-to-ship-first-copper-from-new-chile-mine-next-month-2009-08-14

MINING INVESTMENT

Zim aiming to be mining investment destination of choice

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By: Jonathan Faurie
14th August 2009
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Zimbabwe is rebuilding itself as a destination of choice for mining investment.
The country’s Minister of Mines, Obert Mpofu, says that the new government of national unity, installed in March, is working hard to develop natural resources, as it is convinced that mining can play a key role in the rebuilding of the country’s economy.
And Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines president Victor Gapare illustrates the country’s potential as a mining investment destination thus: “Zimbabwe has the second-biggest platinum orebody in the world; currently, there are two operating platinum mines, with five additional projects being ramped up. The platinum orebodies in Zimbabwe are relatively shallow and offer mining at a low cost, which is attractive in the current economic crisis. It is estimated that, if Zimbabwe can reach its full potential, the country can produce in excess of one-million ounces of platinum a year,” says Gapare.
The country also has significant coal 
reserves, which are characterised by shallow reefs that offer coal of high quality.
However, Gapare reports that the coal 
industry in Zimbabwe needs significant capitalisation if it is to be a sustainable industry. There are two major basins where the coal can be extracted: the Zambezi Basin, in the north, which runs over into neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique; and the Sabi Limpopo Basin, in the south, which runs over into the Limpopo province of South Africa.
The estimated tonnage of in situ coal is 
26 500-million tons, of which 10 500-million tons is extractable.
“If fully developed, this resource will make the Southern African region a coal-mining hot spot, similar to the copper-mining hot spot of Central Africa,” says Hwange colliery business development manager Oliver Maponga. This would be the fourth significant coal resource in the Southern African region, the others being the Witbank coal resource, the Waterberg coal resource and the recently discovered coal 
resources in neighbouring Mozambique. The Zimbabwe coal resource is relatively shallow and easily extractable. The average depth of the coal seams ranges from 10 m to 450 m. Currently, the only coal resource that has been fully developed is the Hwange resource, in the north-west of the country.
There are a number of significant challenges that the mining industry in Zimbabwe needs to overcome for the country to realise its full potential.
The biggest challenge is to develop a programme that makes the potential profit generated from these resources accessible to the Zimbabwean public. Mpofu reports that Zimbabwe is not keen on following a model where the majority of the mining companies in the country are multinationals, with no local representation.
One way of resolving this issue is developing a programme of indigenisation, he says.
Mpofu adds that the unity government – comprising President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party and two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change, is eager to establish an indigenisation framework and implement it as soon as possible.
Another significant challenge facing companies going into Zimbabwe is funding. Even before the full effects of the global financial crisis were felt in the region, the Zimbabwean dollar was jettisoned, in favour of trading in US dollars and South African rands.
Deloitte Zimbabwe CEO Tawanda Gumbo reports that the country’s economy will take a number of years to rebuild itself to a level where it can, once again, be competitive. In a recent global competitiveness survey, Zimbabwe was ranked second last, with 
hyperinflation reaching triple-digit figures for a significant period.
The Zimbabweans were speaking at the fifth annual Mining in Africa Conference, a follow-up to a similar conference held in London, where Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai delivered the keynote address.
Mpofu reports that there was significant interest in the country following the London conference, with a number of European and Asian companies expressing interest in developing the country’s largely undeveloped natural resources.
Edited by: Martin Zhuwakinyu

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/zimbabwe-rebuilding-as-a-destination-of-choice-for-prospective-miners-2009-08-14

Kenyan gang kills noted geologist in mine dispute

By TOM ODULA (AP) – 16 hours ago
NAIROBI, Kenya — Assailants armed with arrows, spears and machetes killed a Scottish-born geologist in an apparent dispute over mining rights in southeast Kenya, police said Thursday.
A lawmaker who knew the geologist said Campbell Bridges, 72, had received death threats and Bridges' attackers were incited to kill him.
On Tuesday, about a dozen people attacked Bridges after he stopped to remove a log blocking a road, police said. Bridges had been driving to a mining camp by Tsavo West National Park, near where he lived and made one of his most precious discoveries of gemstones decades ago.
"We suspect those who killed him are probably employees of other people who want to mine in the area," said local Deputy Police Chief John Leshindoro.
Bridges was accompanied by his son, Bruce, and at least two colleagues during the attack. Police said his son was not hurt, but two colleagues were seriously injured.
The attackers "were screaming, 'We're going to kill you all,'" Bruce Bridges told the British Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday.
Bruce Bridges said he and his father had been receiving death threats for three years, but police did nothing to stop it. He accused police of similarly ignoring their reports of illegal digging by bandits, including hours before Tuesday's ambush.
"My father and I had heard these bandits were digging trenches on our land, so we took that information to the police and asked them for extra security," Bruce said.
"They refused to aid us in any way and basically told us to go it alone. They left us to die," he said. "The family is destroyed — and we are angry. For this country to let what happened happen to him is a tragedy."
A Kenyan lawmaker, Johnstone Muthama, said Bridges told police about three death threats he had received — and had named the people who had issued them.
The local police chief, Herbert Khaemba, told The Associated Press that Bridges had told police once about the threats. He said officers did warn those people to stop threatening the geologist.
Khaemba said he also asked Kenya's Department of Mines and Geology to intervene, because those threatening Bridges were disputing his right to use a mining permit in the area. Bridges had been mining for gemstones in the vicinity of Tsavo since the early 1970s.
Muthama said Bridges' killing may have been motivated by anti-foreigner hysteria whipped up by political leaders.
"This is a problem caused by the leadership, who incite local people (by saying) that this is a foreigner who wants to take resources, so flush these people out," Muthama told The Associated Press.
Muthama, who owns a big gem mining business, said he had known Bridges for 25 years and together they founded the Kenya Chamber of Mines. Muthama is patron of that organization.
In the 1960s, Bridges discovered a rare green variety of garnet initially in modern-day Zimbabwe and later in Kenya's neighbor Tanzania. Today the green gemstone, mined chiefly in Tanzania and Kenya, is named tsavorite after the Tsavo national parks.
Bruce Bridges paid tribute to his father as "an amazing man" and "the world's most famous gemologist."
"Anyone in the industry would say it. No one had a resume like him," he told the BBC.
Southeast Kenya is sparsely populated and impoverished, because its dry, low-lying land is poor for most crops. The area's gemstone riches are mined by handful of companies. Many locals eke out their living on plantations growing sisal, a plant that produces stiff fibers for making rope

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hTCRx2K8ZUdvAPqhDpSPsrvS4iJwD9A24IP81

Osisko Mining raises $130 million more



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Osisko Mining Corp., developer of the $1 billion Canadian Malartic openpit gold mine in Quebec's Abitibi region, is raising a further $130 million through a bought deal negotiated with an underwriting group led by Thomas Weisel Partners Canada Inc. and BMO Capital Markets.
The underwriters are buying 18,575,000 shares for sale to the public at $7 a share and can take up 2,786,250 more shares for sale at the same price. With the over-allotment, gross proceeds from the financing to Osisko would rise to $149.5 million to be used mainly for the Malartic project.
Vancouver-based Goldcorp., which produced 2.3 million ounces of gold from 12 mines in the Americas last year, disclosed at the weekend it has raised its stake in Osisko to almost 13 per cent by buying almost 8,5 million Osisko shares and 4.3 million warrants.
Goldcorp said it has no plans to increase its stake now, but some analysts speculated that the move may presage a takeover bid.
Osisko said it has signed an option pact with Midland Exploration Inc. for a 50 per cent interest in the Dunn gold propertry 35 kilometres northeast of Rouyn-Noranda. The geology is similar to the South Barnat deposit on the Candian Malartic property. Drilling will begin shortly.
Osisko posted a second-quarter loss of $5.8 million, up from a loss of $1 million a year earlier, and a first-half loss of $6.6 million vs. net income of $3.7 million in the first half of 2008. Tax recoveries were lower in the 2009 periods.
Quebec environmental regulators have said Canadian Malartic could be developed within the province's sustainability criteria and the company now awaits a provincial construction permit. Malartic has the potential to produce almost 600,000 ounces of gold annually. Exploration continues to add reserves.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Osisko+Mining+raises+million+more/1888909/story.html


Rio to sell North American coal mines

Friday, 14 Aug 2009
Mining Journal reported that Rio Tinto will offload the bulk of its remaining North American coal assets via an initial public offering, tentatively valued at USD 500 million.

The sell off will be completed via a spin out of Cloud Peak Energy Inc, a Rio subsidiary which holds four mines in the Powder River Basin; Spring Creek and Decker (50%) in Montana, and Cordero Rojo and Antelope in Wyoming.

Rio said that the operations contain two of the five largest coal mines in the region.

Mr Nick Cobban spokesman of Rio Tinto said “We did want to divest all of the RTEA assets but Colowjo has some economic circumstances which meant we could not include it in this IPO.”

The nearby Jacobs Ranch mine was recently slated for sale by Rio to Arch Coal Inc for USD 761 million. The Jacobs Ranch sale hit a setback in May, with the US Federal Trade Commission seeking further information from Rio regarding the deal. He said that “It is still pending approval, and we expect to close the transaction in the second half.”

The future of the remaining North American asset, the Colowyo mine in Colorado, is uncertain. In January, Colowyo was separated from the Rio Tinto Energy America unit in preparation for divestment. The sale is yet to be concluded.

Jacobs Ranch produced 38.2 million tonnes of coal in 2008, while Antelope produced 32.5 million tonnes, Cordero Rojo produced 36.3 million tonnes, Spring Creek produced 16.3 million tonnes and Decker produced an attributable 3 million tonnes (Rio’s 50% share).

(Sourced from Mining Journal)

http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/08/14/MTA3MDYw/Rio_to_sell_North_American_coal_mines.html

Other News

Central Government has so far stipulated compensatory AFFORESTATION OVER 13.04 LAKH HECTARE OF LAND
________________________________________
15:37 IST
The Central Government has so far stipulated compensatory afforestation over 13.04 lakh hectare of land. This include 7.5 lakh hectare of degraded forest land and 5.54 lakh hectare of non-forest land against the diversion of 11.82 lakh hectare of forest land for non forest purposes. The State-wise details of land provided for compensatory afforestation is enclosed at annexure.
As on 30.06.2009, an amount of Rs.9,932.12 crores, has been remitted by the State/UT Governments including Jammu & Kashmir to the Ad-hoc body of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) as per the Supreme Court Order dated 05.05.2006, which includes the monies collected towards compensatory afforestation, penal compensatory afforestation, catchment area treatment plan, and NPV, etc.
While examining the proposals for diversion of forest land received from the State/UT Governments, the Forest Advisory Committee and State Advisory Group, as the case may be, take utmost care to minimize the felling of trees in the forest areas. This is achieved by minimizing the HFL in cases of submergences for irrigation/hydro electric projects; by realigning the linear projects like roads and transmission lines; by reducing the extent of areas for diversion in cases of mining; and also suggesting alternative non forest land for other projects depending on its feasibility.
Annexure
State-wise Forest & Non-Forest Land Stipulated for Compensatory Afforestation under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980
S. No. State/UT No. OF CASES APPROVED AREA
DIVERTED (HA) COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION STIPULATED (HA)
Forest land Non- forest land Penal CA on forest land TOTAL
1 Andaman & Nicobar 83 2,765.94 627.75 2035.00 2.75 2665.50
2 Andhra Pradesh 560 49,841.99 7106.07 30026.21 3042.68 40174.96
3 Arunachal Pradesh 143 34,100.71 9997.58 4546.25 6188 20731.83
4 Assam 259 8,246.38 9195.49 1570.79 341.75 11108.03
5 Bihar 95 2,701.27 1627.36 623.33 70.92 2321.61
6 Chandigarh 22 48.69 10.13 20.00 0 30.13
7 Chhattisgarh 448 91,769.67 38705.65 58979.34 16162.09 113847.08
8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 204 295.00 359.47 278.95 3 641.42
9 Daman & Diu 1 3.95 7.90 0.00 0 7.90
10 Delhi 9 23.32 34.07 5.46 0.25 39.78
11 Goa 95 2,038.57 942.98 462.50 266.77 1672.25
12 Gujarat 1,351 69,447.69 9037.35 53757.47 23776.09 86570.91
13 Haryana 1,609 9,082.01 3012.41 1554.76 618.38 5185.55
14 Himachal Pradesh 1,305 11,819.01 19338.99 547.34 3982.94 23869.27
15 Jammu & Kashmir* 0 0 0.00 0.00 0 0.00
16 Jharkhand 256 16,853.75 15177.34 4932.28 4209.34 24318.96
17 Karnataka 730 44,257.89 6969.99 30295.27 6845.16 44110.42
18 Kerala 222 40,987.48 43165.82 15223.30 29.96 58419.08
19 Madhya Pradesh 949 395,796.79 126306.41 216504.61 90030.84 432841.86
20 Maharashtra 1,546 95,129.90 28909.09 34401.89 19652.78 82963.76
21 Manipur 23 1,160.95 465.37 741.27 0 1206.64
22 Meghalaya 96 408.55 132.65 347.30 0 479.95
23 Mizoram 28 25484.5 19557.97 10553.02 247.31 30358.30
24 Orissa 466 46,758.07 9605.11 41773.57 9550.41 60929.09
25 Pondicherry 1 0.96 0.00 0.00 0 0.00
26 Punjab 2,626 77,939.71 8286.86 1866.30 28327.98 38481.14
27 Rajasthan 637 30,459.81 7554.72 15433.40 10089.68 33077.80
28 Sikkim 305 2,512.67 3461.18 152.27 95.91 3709.36
29 Tamil Nadu 434 5,360.81 676.43 1812.92 1082.09 3571.44
30 Tripura 266 8,262.04 3669.01 1117.10 2049.39 6835.50
31 Uttar Pradesh 596 41,769.09 57194.31 6569.39 2131.15 65894.85
32 Uttarakhand 3,498 62,429.73 66967.09 14468.39 20670.11 102105.59
33 West Bengal 89 4,214.94 2028.49 4035.36 4.66 6068.51
Grand Total 18,952 1,181,971.84 500,131.04 554,635.04 249,472.39 1304238.47
* The Forest (conservation) Act, 1980 is not applicable to the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Jammu & Kashmir has got its own Forest (conservation) Act similar to this Act.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51860

Government proposes to expand the Tiger Projects and Sanctuaries
________________________________________
15:26 IST
The Government proposes to expand the Tiger Projects and Sanctuaries in the country. ‘In principle’ approval has been accorded for creation of four new Tiger Reserves namely Pilibhit(Uttar Pradesh), Sunabeda (Orissa), Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh) and Sahyadri (Maharashtra).
Funding support under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger is provided to tiger range States for relocation of villages from the core/critical tiger habitat of a tiger reserve, identified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for providing inviolate space to tiger population. The said ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has been revised to include,interalia, an enhanced village relocation package (from Rs. 1 lakh/per family to Rs. 10lakhs/per family) with effect from the current plan period. The details of funding support (100%) provided to States in this regard during the last three financial years are at Annexure-I.
Annexure-I
Expansion of Tiger Projects
Details of fund released for relocation of villages / settlement of rights under Project Tiger Scheme during the years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09
(Rs. in lakhs)
S. No. State 2006-07 2007-08 2007-08

1. Madhya Pradesh 30.00 1930.8968 1324.49
2. Rajasthan - 100.00 2142.00
3. Orissa - - 350.00
4. Karnataka 58.80 980.19 -
5. Uttarakhand - 10.00 -
Total 88.80* 3021.087 4086.49
Old package K


http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51856

Government propose to set up a venture capital fund to promote green technologies
________________________________________
15:24 IST
The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change envisages encouragement of private sector initiatives for development of innovative technologies for adaptation and mitigation through venture capital funds. The Mission also envisages a Climate Science Research Fund to support research.

The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change envisages networking academic and scientific research institutions including creation of integrated National Knowledge Network. The Mission document is currently under preparation. The Union Government is also in a process to identified key knowledge institutions that become centres of excellence in climate change related research


Prior approval to proposals under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in two stages

________________________________________
15:33 IST
The Central Government accords prior approval to the proposals received under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in two stages. Stage-I, which is also known as in-principle approval, is accorded subject to certain stipulations, including payment of Net Present Value, to be complied with by the user agency. On receipt of compliance of the stipulations from the State Government, the final approval under section-2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is accorded.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide their order dated 28.03.2008 directed the concerned to approach the Court for seeking grant of exemption from the payment of Net Present Value on a case to case basis by filing an Interlocutory Application (IA). The State Government of Maharashtra has deposited an amount of about Rs.893.54 crores in the account of Ad-hoc CAMPA towards Compensatory Afforestation, Penal Compensatory Afforestation, Catchment Area Treatment Plan and Net Present Value etc.


http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51858

President gives away National Urban Water Awards 2009
________________________________________
20:1 IST
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil urged people to apply their efforts to improve service delivery of basic infrastructure in an efficient and equitable manner. She further stated that provision of clean drinking water and sanitation are vital components for creating conducive living conditions for city populations. She stated this while speaking at National Urban Water Awards 2009, function, here today. The President also referred to Gandhiji who emphasised that, “the first condition of any municipal life is decent sanitation and unfailing supply of pure water”. This is an important message and we should fulfill the vision of the Father of the Nation, she added.

She mentioned that urban areas throughout the country are making efforts to improve the access, quality, quantity, efficiency and sustainability of urban water and sanitation services. This is being done by redefining policies and institutional arrangements, using better technologies, improving management practices, providing targeted subsidies to the poor and forging new partnerships.

Speaking on the occasion Shri S.Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister for Urban Development stated that Water and Sanitation will be accorded due priority under the newly approved scheme for development of satellite towns and counter magnets around seven megacities. The Minister informed that under the recently launched Phase I of the Asian Development Bank assisted North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme which is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1371 crores in five capital cities i.e Kohima, Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok and Shillong, 4 water supply projects, 2 solid waste management sectors will be implemented. Water and sanitation projects are also being sanctioned under the 10% lumpsum scheme for infrastructure development in the North East region including Sikkim.

Shri Reddy said that the water and sanitation sector which covers water supply, sewerage, solid waste management and storm water drainage accounts for about 73.43 % of the total number of projects sanctioned under JNNURM as on date and 80.81% of the total cost of projects sanctioned. In absolute terms, the number of such projects sanctioned is 340 out of a total of 463 projects sanctioned under the scheme. In addition, 4 projects with an approved cost of Rs 116 crore have been sanctioned for preservation of water bodies. He added that under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), out of a total of 969 projects, the water and sanitation sector accounts for 828 projects i.e which is as high as 85% on terms of the cost, the share of the water and sanitation sector would be 92% i.e Rs 18409.91 crores out of Rs 19833.11 crores. In addition, 9 projects at a cost of Rs 30.03 crores have been sanctioned for the preservation of water bodies. He mentioned that the National Action Plan for Climate Change envisages a number of measures in the water and sanitation sector under the National Mission for Sustainable Habitat which is being piloted by the Ministry of Urban development as well as the National Water Mission which is piloted by the Ministry of Water Resources.

The National Urban Water Awards, 2009, have been instituted by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) with the purpose of recognizing urban local bodies, water boards and organizations which have taken significant steps towards efficient delivery of water and sanitation services in order to promote excellence in this sector. The awards cover six categories: a.) Technical innovation, b.) Financial reforms, c.) Services to the poor, d.) Citizen services and Governance, e.) Public-Private Partnership and f.) Urban sanitation. The Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad (ASCI) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations owned by the Federal Republic of Germany are the MoUD’s partners in this endeavour.

In the “Technical Innovation” category, the winner is Town Municipal Council, Kundapura for its achievement in the area of “reduction in non- revenue water and improved service delivery” which the city has been able to achieve despite its small size and limited resources. The runner up is Surat Municipal Corporation for its efforts in institutionalizing “energy efficiency in water management” through Energy Efficiency Cell and use of biogas from sewage treatment plants for power generation.

In the “Financial Reform” category, the winner is Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board for it’s achievement in “cost recovery through effective billing and collection” facilitated by citizen friendly interface such as spot billing, 24X7 payment facilities through Kaveri Kiosks, 100% metering and GIS applications. The runner up is Karnataka Urban Water Supply & Drainage Board for its effort in “improving water services through financial reforms in Hubli-Dharwad” through effective metering, 100% spot billing, reduction of non-revenue water and barcoded Tap Cards.

In the “Services to the Poor” Category, the winner is Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation for its efforts in “providing access to 24X7 water supply to the urban poor” through pro-poor measures such as reduced access cost, network extension in poor areas, simplified procedures and delinking of services to land tenure. The runner up is Vijayawada Municipal Corporation for its efforts in “providing subsidies and incentives for water supply to the urban poor” through reduced water connection charges and monthly tariff as well as delinking of water services to land tenure.

The “Citizen Services and Governance” category, the co-winners are Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Jamshedpur Utility and Services Company (JUSCO). The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has implemented a State-of-the-Art Information and Communication Technology enabled systems for citizen friendly payment and grievance redressal including payments through Mobile Phones, Internet, Cybercafes and Kiosks. JUSCO introduced a customer centred approach through Sahyog Kendras offering single point interface for customers. It offers service level guarantees to its customers and has undertaken service level improvements based on customer feedback. Periodic compliance reports and third party assessments are also carried out.

In the “Public-Private Partnership” category, the winner is Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation for its efforts towards “Providing 24/7 water supply in Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga” in partnership with the three Municipal Bodies. The project is implemented in public private partnership mode in pilot areas and has generated demand for 24X7 water supply at city level. Social mobilization and pro-poor approaches are integral part of the initiative. The initiative also establishes willingness of people to pay for improved services. The runner up is Nagpur Municipal Corporation which has been able to demonstrate the benefits of 24X7 water supply in a pilot zone implemented under PPP framework.

In the “Urban Sanitation” category, the winner is Kalyani Municipality for its efforts in “Community Led Total Sanitation” which has led to Kalyani being declared as ‘open defacation free’ by the State Government. The merit of the initiative lies in promoting behavioral change and social mobilization initated by committed leadership. The Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council has been identified for special mention by the Advisory Group for its initiative in implementing eco-sanitation technologies for institutional sanitation.

TFK./AS/Water Awards09

Following is the text of the speech of Shri S.Jaipal Reddy, Union Minister for Urban Development on the National Urban Water Awards function.

Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Honble Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, my colleague, Minister of State for Urban Development Shri Sougata Roy, Dr M. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, mayors and elected representatives, ladies and gentlemen.

We have gathered here today to celebrate the achievements of urban local governments and water boards in improving water and sanitation services in urban areas. It is very heartening to see the active involvement of elected representatives, municipal and water board functionaries from all over our country.

I would like to welcome and thank her Excellency for gracing the occasion. The presence of the Honble President of India is indicative of the importance that the Government of India attaches to the issues of water and sanitation and will motivate all the stakeholders in the sector such as the cities, water utilities, citizens, private sector utilities to innovate and strive for excellence in the provision of these services.

I have been privileged to be associated with the urban water and sanitation sector since the year 2005 and the position which I am holding has given me the opportunity to introduce and catalyse much needed changes in this sector. The number of projects sanctioned for the water and sanitation under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is testimony of Government’s commitment to the sector.

As most of you are aware, the Government launched the reform linked Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission along with Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), which is the most ambitious and comprehensive scheme in the urban sector in the history of India, in December 2005. The total outlay for the Urban Infrastructure and Governance component of JNNURM which is administered by my Ministry, is Rs 31500 crore for the Mission period i.e 2005-2012. I am delighted to inform you all that the water and sanitation sector which covers water supply, sewerage, solid waste management and storm water drainage accounts for about 73.43 % of the total number of projects sanctioned as on date and 80.81% of the total cost of projects sanctioned. In absolute terms, the number of such projects sanctioned is 340 out of a total of 463 projects sanctioned under the scheme. In addition, 4 projects with an approved cost of Rs 116 crore have been sanctioned for preservation of water bodies.

Water supply projects sanctioned under JNNURM incorporate features such as reduction of Non Revenue Water below 15%, volumetric tariff, 100% metering of all connections, creation of water districts with bulk flow metering and district metering areas, 24x7 water supply etc. In respect of sewerage and sanitation, JNNURM has enabled cities to improve coverage of sewer networks and treatment capacities which may not have happened otherwise. This is likely to have positive health and environmental outcomes and reduce water borne diseases which are the main cause of infant mortality especially in slums and localities inhabited by economically weaker sections of society, apart from the quality of water bodies in and around the cities.

Similarly in the case of solid waste management, an integrated approach covering segregation at source, primary and secondary collection, transportation of waste to designated site, processing of waste and scientific and hygienic disposal has been adopted. Moreover, all projects incorporate provisions for waste processing facilities including composting, pelletisation and waste to energy and construction of sanitary landfill. Once these projects are implemented, I am optimistic that the cities and towns where they are located will show dramatic improvements in terms of overall cleanliness and hygiene. For cities and towns traditionally crippled by water logging and flooding problems, JNNURM has provided an opportunity to address the issue of inadequate drainage facility in a holistic manner.

Under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), out of a total of 969 projects, the water and sanitation sector accounts for 828 projects i.e which is as high as 85% on terms of the cost, the share of the water and sanitation sector would be 92% i.e Rs 18409.91 crores out of Rs 19833.11 crores. In addition, 9 projects at a cost of Rs 30.03 crores have been sanctioned for the preservation of water bodies.

Outside the JNNURM umbrella, two mega projects have been sanctioned for two major cities i.e the Brihanmumbai storm water drainage project for Mumbai city at a total cost of Rs 1200 crore and the Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Project for Chennai city to be constructed at Nemelli at a cost of about Rs 1000 crore. Once these projects are implemented fully, it is expected that the citizens of these two cities will get a much needed respite from the problems of flooding and acute water scarcity which they have been suffering for too long. Under the recently launched Phase I of the Asian Development Bank assisted North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme which is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1371 crores in five capital cities i.e Kohima, Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok and Shillong, 4 water supply projects, 2 solid waste management sectors will be implemented. Water and sanitation projects are also being sanctioned under the 10% lumpsum scheme for infrastructure development in the North East region including Sikkim. Water and Sanitation will be accorded due priority under the newly approved scheme for development of satellite towns and counter magnets around seven megacities.

The Ministry of Urban Development has been in the forefront of attempts to usher in critical reforms in the water and sanitation sector as well as creation of infrastructure through JNNURM and other initiatives like Service Level Benchmarking, National Urban Sanitation Policy, NERUDP etc. We are also conscious of the fact that the phenomenon of climate change will throw up fresh challenges in the water and sanitation sector necessitating the need for mainstreaming practices such as conservation through low water use toilets, water audits, achieving higher energy in water and waste water pumping, recycling of waste water, desalination, reduction of methane gas emission etc. The National Mission for Sustainable Habitat piloted by my Ministry and the National Water Mission piloted by the Ministry of Water Resources which are components of the Prime Minister’s Action Plan for Climate Change will address these issues.

Given the scale of challenge we face in the water and sanitation sector, it is imperative that we promote excellence through recognition of innovations in the sector and sharing of best practices. The National Urban Water Awards have been instituted by the Ministry in this context in partnership with the Administrative Staff College of India and the GTZ. Last year, we saw important initiatives like the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal council’s hydraulic modeling to transform an intermittent supply to 24x7 water supply, implementation of an underground sewerage project through public participation in Alandur led by the Chairperson, 24x7 water supply in Navi Mumbai and the like. This year, we are happy to see even greater participation and we hope that the search for excellence will gain momentum year after year till we achieve our goal of adequate and safe drinking water to all our people.

I am sure that each one of the initiatives show cased under the National Urban Water Awards 2009 programme is a lesson in itself and is worthy of emulation. Every entry is a winner and we acknowledge the leadership and contribution of the persons who have made it possible. I would like to compliment my colleagues in the Ministry, ASCI and GTZ for this endeavour. I hope to see an urban India which is able to provide quality water and sanitation services to all its citizens.



http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51843

New CRZ Act to protect traditional rights of fisherman community
________________________________________
18:35 IST
Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests (Independent Charge), Shri Jairam Ramesh has clarified that the Central government has not given any environment clearance to the Navi Mumbai Airport. Speaking at a public hearing on coastal management zone in Mumbai this morning, Shri Jairam Ramesh said his Ministry had only approved the terms of reference for the Environment Impact Study for the Navi Mumbai Airport. “I am aware that there are constraints to expanding the present Mumbai airport. However, as a minister, I am also committed to protecting the environment,” Shri Ramesh said. The Union Minister informed that the study, which is being conducted by IIT Mumbai, will take approximately 9-12 months. He said the IIT Mumbai has been asked to take the services of the best international expertise for the study. Shri Ramesh also said that one of the terms of reference was about finding ways to neutralize the impact of destruction of the mangrove forest in the area.

Highlighting the need to bring amendments to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991, the Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests said that as per recommendations of the M.S. Swaminathan Committee, the government would protect traditional rights of the fisherman community in the new Act on the lines of similar provisions made in the Forest Tribal Act. Shri Ramesh clarified that the Central government was not in favour of higher FSI (Floor Space Index) for Mumbai. He said that the Swaminathan Committee had only opened a window of opportunity for construction of housing for low income groups from weaker sections in the CRZ areas. The Union Minister said that these houses would be constructed through public finance and not by private builders. While recognizing the specific needs of Mumbai on CRZ, the minister said that he would take into account the problems of the 60,000 families living in dilapidated buildings in the CRZ areas in India’s commercial capital and their need for redevelopment.

While asserting that implementation of the CRZ Act would be responsibility of State governments, Shri Ramesh also said that there would be provision of penalty for those violating the provisions of the CRZ Act. The Union Minister also informed that the National Green Tribunal, which would be operational by this year end, would take up cases relating to violation of CRZ regulations.

The Union Ministry for Environment & Forests would also be conducting public hearings at Chennai, Panaji, Kochi and Bhubneshwar in coming days. After public hearing and consultations with various stakeholders, the Union government plans to introduce the amended CRZ Notification during the winter session of Parliament. The Central Government is also holding a conference to discuss various environment related issues with Environment Ministers from States on 18th of this month.



http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=51800


223 tribal families to be shifted from Similipal Tiger Reserve core area

By our Corespondent
Last updated: 08/13/2009 12:53:15


Baripadar ( Orissa ) : As many as 223 families residing in the core area of the critical tiger habitat' inside the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Orissa’s tribal dominated Mayurbhanj district will be shifted outside the sanctuary, officials said on Thursday.

STR sources said these families were residing in the six core area villages namely Jenabil, Bakua, Kabatghai, Jamuna and Khadia settlement (I) and Khadia Settlement (II) under Upper-Barha-Kamuda Range of Simlipal.

The oustees will be relocated in the places of their choice and according to the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), STR sources said.

The decision was taken at the Second Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee meeting held here under the chairmanship of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Central Division Ashok Meena.

The STR and the forest department were represented by STR Field Director cum Conservator of Forest HS Upadhaya, Deputy Director Manoj V Nair and three DFOs from Rairangpur, Karanjia and Baripada.

While the displaced families have opted for their relocation at Amdiha and Kapand model housing colonies, oustees from other villages have sought their relocation at Arjunvilla near Manda forest range, sources said.

Meanwhile, an allocation of Rs ten lakh for each displaced family has been received for their resettlement and rehabilitation ensuring all basic amenities at the places of their relocation outside the Sanctuary.


http://www.odishatoday.com/district/tribal_families_to_be_shifted_130809-6548245154875.html