Mining – India
1. Pleas early, but HC wants status of Adani mines
2. Meghalaya Govt. leases out land for uranium mining despite locals protest
3. J'khand not to issue any mining licences during Prez Rule
4. ONGC zeroes in on Assam site for uranium mining
5. Coal India's exploration arm to invest Rs 108 cr in expansion
6. Orissa asks mining firms to fortify magazine houses
7. Goa's crackdown on illegal mining runs out of steam
Mining – International
8. Some tribes at odds over coal plants
9. Murchison Metals update on Rocklea iron ore project
10. Noranda to Increase Production at New Madrid Aluminu Smelter
11. EPA to delay 79 coal mining permits in 4 states
12. 507-carat diamond found in SA mine worth 12m pounds !
13. Coal-mining hazard resembles explosive volcanic eruption, study shows
Other News – India
14. 25 mn more kids to go hungry by 2050; India to be worst-hit
15. 'The world food system still in crisis'
16. India generates 150 million tonnes of waste per day
17. ‘Give free education up to 18 yrs’
Mining – India
Pleas early, but HC wants status of Adani mines
Vaibhav Ganjapure, TNN 1 October 2009, 02:30am IST
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NAGPUR: The Bombay high court's Nagpur bench on Wednesday directed the Centre to file a progress report on the status of the proposed Adani coal
mine near Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
A division bench comprising justices AP Lavande and Pramod Kode, while terming the bunch of petitions against the proposed mines as `premature', asked assistant solicitor general of India SK Mishra to reply within two weeks on the status of Adani proposal in various ministries. The court was of the opinion that since the Union government had not yet given its green signal to the project, the pleas against it are untimely.
Three different pleas had been filed by Bandu Dhotre of Eco-Pro organisation, Yogeshwar Dudhpachare and Ramdas Wagdarkar, expressing deep concern over the possibility of permission being granted to Adani to mine coal for its 1,000 MW power plant at Tiroda in Gondia. They claimed this will destroy ecology and the rich wildlife habitat around TATR. Senior counsel KH Deshpande and Anil Kilor held brief for the petitioners.
The petitioners had opposed the allotment of coal blocks and proposed mining activity by Adani as 1,750 hectare area will be destroyed. Of the total mine lease area, 92% is forest area, they said, adding that the mines will also damage the sacred Zarpat river, where hundreds of devotees of Mahakali take a holy dip during festivities.
The petitions have claimed that the proposed mining area has 18 animal species, nine of which are endangered, like leopards and tigers. The Lohara lake, where the heart of mining activity is proposed, attracts many migratory birds from Siberia, Nepal, Tibet, Russia and other European countries. It's a suitable breeding place for birds and reproduction, they said. TATR along with Lohara lake constitute a twin place consisting of a national park and a bird sanctuary.
The petitioners pointed out that there are numerous natural waterholes in the core forest of the national park, which has underground water source through the lake. Due to such water bodies in the vicinity, animals in TATR get sufficient water throughout the year. Apart from Adani, 22 other companies are awaiting permission to extract coal near TATR. Unbridled mining will cut corridors from all sides and the tigers will have no future, all petitioners claim.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/nagpur/Pleas-early-but-HC-wants-status-of-Adani-mines/articleshow/5074194.cms
Meghalaya Govt. leases out land for uranium mining despite locals protest
September 30th, 2009 - 10:17 pm ICT by ANI
By Hempi D.Henpilen
Shillong, Sep.30 (ANI): The Meghalaya government has decided to lease out 422 hectares of land in the West Khasi Hills region for 30 years to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) for pre-project developmental works, a step which is agitating a number of locals.
According to locals, Meghalaya’s environment has been destroyed by the through unscientific mining of coal, limestone and other natural resources.
They claim that uranium mining will only add to environmental degradation of Meghalaya.
“First thing is the health-issue relating to uranium mining and the impact it will have in those areas where there will be uranium mining, and the second point is that the amount of royalty that the government will get,” said Michael Syiem, President, Mait Shaphrang Movement, an NGO spearheading the protest against uranium mining.
“Will it be just something which you see— peanuts are we really getting our worth from the wealth the God has given us?” said Syiem.
Apart from the Mait Shaphrang Movement, the Khasi Students Union (KSU), several other NGOs have joined the crusade against the prospecting of uranium.
They allege that pre-development works are only a precursor to the mining of radioactive mineral, which in turn could lead to serious environmental and health problems.
“We are opposed to this pre-project development activities on the ground that the government is misleading the people of the state and also the district that this pre project development activities is for the area and also for the whole of West Khasi district, which is in fact, not true and very misleading,” said Samuel Jrywa, President, Khasi Students Union (KSU), Meghalaya.
As per UCIL estimates, there could be 3, 75,000 tonnes of uranium deposits in Meghalaya.
While exploratory surveys were carried out in early 1990s, the mining project is yet to begin. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/meghalaya-govt-leases-out-land-for-uranium-mining-despite-locals-protest_100254378.html
J'khand not to issue any mining licences during Prez Rule
Press Trust of India / New Delhi September 30, 2009, 17:04 IST
The Jharkhand government will not grant any mining and prospecting licences till the pendency of the President's Rule, a top government official said.
"Jharkhand government has taken a decision not to grant any mining or prospecting licences during the President's Rule. Any such decision will be taken by a popular government," Jharkhand Industry Secretary N N Sinha, who is in-charge of Mines Department too, said.
The move is understood to have hit multi-billion dollar worth investment lined up by firms like ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel and JSW Steel in the state. The companies are awaiting various regulatory clearances to start mining on coal, iron ore blocks allotted to them.
Sinha said the decision was taken recently by the government. Asked about the delays in projects on account of the policy change, he said it could be expedited when an elected government comes to power in the state, likely by February.
However, he could not provide the details about the investment which would be hit by such a decision. It is estimated that the state has attracted investment worth over Rs two lakh crore in steel, coal and mining sector.
ArcelorMittal, for example, has applied for iron ore and coal blocks in the state to feed its proposed Rs 50,000-crore steel project. However, the company is caught up in the regulatory hurdles to get the mining leases for the venture.
"ArcelorMittal has complied with all the regulatory norms to get the prospecting and mining licences to develop the coal and mining blocks allocated to it. Unfortunately, this decision has stalled the progress of our project," a senior company official said, requesting anonymity.
ArcelorMittal was among 40 companies to have received show-cause notices from the Coal Ministry for failing to develop the blocks awarded to them in stipulated period.
The ministry has threatened ArcelorMittal to de-allocate a block awarded to it jointly with Hyderabad-based GVK Power in Jharkhand.
State-run MMTC has also received a show-cause notice from the ministry for the delay in mine development.
"We have already applied for the prospecting licence some six months back and the matter is pending with the Jharkhand government," MMTC Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Batra said.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/j\khand-not-to-issue-any-mining-licences-during-prez-rule/74710/on
ONGC zeroes in on Assam site for uranium mining
Thursday, 01 Oct 2009
In a boost to the flagging domestic uranium mining effort, ONGC has zeroed in on a location in Assam and has submitted a proposal to Uranium Corporation of India Ltd for jointly exploring the resource.
The public sector oil major has an agreement in place with UCIL to pursue exploration and exploitation of uranium resources.
Mr RS Sharma CMD of ONGC told Business Line that “We have held several discussions with the scientists of UCIL and Atomic Mineral Division, a unit of the DAE. Based on the available data, literature and the discussions, we have decided to go for a field test. We have identified a prospective location at upper Assam. A proposal of field test has been submitted to UCIL.”
Mr Sharma said that once UCIL has examined the data, the two will work out the next course of action. ONGC has created a team under the aegis of its Energy Centre which is looking into the venture.
A DAE official said that the two ONGC and UCIL have already set up a steering committee for evolving a time-bound program for joint prospecting and mining.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/01/MTE0MTIw/ONGC_zeroes_in_on_Assam_site_for_uranium_mining.html
Coal India's exploration arm to invest Rs 108 cr in expansion
30 Sep 2009, 1536 hrs IST, PTI
NEW DELHI: CMPDIL, a subsidiary of country's largest coal producer Coal India Ltd, will invest over Rs 100 crore for acquiring advanced drilling
equipment in the next two years.
With this the mini-ratna aims to increase its annual exploration capacity to 10 lakh meters by 2010 from the present 2 lakh metres.
"We have lined up an investment of Rs 108 crore for acquiring 18 new generation hydrostatic rigs from Sweden to replace old manual rigs. We have already received two such advanced machines," CMPDI CMD A K Singh told PTI.
The coal ministry has got customs duty on import of such equipment reduced to 3 per cent from 7-10 per cent earlier.
The investments are in line with the Coal India Ltd's strategy to prove about 161 billion tonnes of coal reserves out of the estimated reserves of 267 billion tonnes in the country. Coal India targets to mine about 435 million tonnes of coal in the current fiscal.
"Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd(CMPDIL) is planning a major revamp of its exploration activity...We plan to enhance annual drilling capacity to one million meters per annum," CIL Chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya told PTI.
The company does exploration up to 300 metres and is planning to take it up to 600 meters, he added.
Also on cards are introduction of the latest exploration technologies for more efficient reserve estimation.
To meet the manpower requirement for enhanced drilling capacity CMPDIL is training 100 more geologist and 200 drilling staff, Singh said.
"CIL has transferred its 100 geologists and 200 drilling persons to CMPDIL and we are training them to meet the extended drilling capacity," Singh added.
The present manpower strength of the subsidiary, which is also the centre's nodal research and development wing for the coal sector is 3,173.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals-mining/Coal-Indias-exploration-arm-to-invest-Rs-108-cr-in-expansion/articleshow/5072075.cms
Orissa asks mining firms to fortify magazine houses
Thursday, 01 Oct 2009
ET reported that Orissa government asked the companies in the state to tighten security around their mines, which have of late become soft target of left extremists looking for arms and ammunitions.
Mr AP Padhi Orissa state home secretary told reporters that "The state government has advised the companies to ensure security in the mining area.”
The meeting, chaired by chief secretary Mr TK Mishra was attended by different companies including Central Public Sector Units like National Aluminium Company Ltd, Rourkela Steel Plant, Mahanadi Coal Field Ltd and state PSU's like Orissa Mining Corporation besides private operators like TATA Steel Ltd and Rungta Mines Ltd.
The state government also has decided to form a special industrial security force in the line Central Industrial Security Force. Proposed to be named as State Industrial Security Force the security agency would keep special vigils on major state government establishments, mines and other important installations, state chief secretary Tarunkanti Mishra told reporters after a high level meeting with state and Central public sector units.
Mr Mishra further said that “The state government is contemplating to make legislations to create SISF. We have sought advice of the law department in this regard.”
Mr Padhi said that “Taking into intelligence inputs, we have asked mines’ operators not to keep huge stock of explosives and keep minimum required amount of the material under tight security.”
The government’s fear of possible attacks by red rebels on mines emanates from Maoists strikes at NALCO’s bauxite mines at Damanjodi in Koraput districts. The rebels, after killing a dozen of CISF jawans, tried loot the explosives kept in the magazine house. The state government also instructed companies to undertake transportation of explosives during day time with proper security cover.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/01/MTE0MjYw/Orissa_asks_mining_firms_to_fortify_magazine_houses.html
Goa's crackdown on illegal mining runs out of steam
IANS 9 September 2009, 03:48pm IST
PANAJI: More than a week after the deadline issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) for submission of documentation from 78
mining companies, the board is still "not sure" about the number of companies who have complied with the notice, indicating that its proposed action against illegal mining may have hit a trough.
"We are still in the process of compiling the number of replies received. We do not know exactly how many companies have responded," GSPCB chairman Simon D'Souza said.
The notice issued by the GSPCB on Aug 14 had directed 78 mining lease operators to submit copies of their clearances obtained under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and from the ministry for environment and forests within 15 days.
"The compilation may take some time. If some mining companies do not have proper documentation, we will be forced to issue a show cause notice and subsequently ask the mines to stop operations," D'Souza said.
Apart from the 78 mines in question, the GSPCB had also issued 'stop work' orders to 13 other mines who were extracting ore without requisite permissions from the forest and wildlife departments.
While Sesa Goa has managed to obtain a stay on the 'stop work' order from the administrative tribunal for its Codli mine in south Goa, three mining concerns operated by Dempo group of companies (now a part of Sesa Goa) among others have also approached the tribunal for a stay on the GSPCB's order.
The hearing has been scheduled for Thursday.
Goa's 103 mining leases extract 33 million tonnes of iron, bauxite and manganese ore which is exported largely to China and Japan.
Environmentalists and the opposition in Goa have alleged that nearly 18 percent of the ore exported from Goa was extracted by illegal mining outfits.
Under sustained pressure, the state government has now brought 91 out of the 103 operating mines in the state under its scanner.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/pollution/Goas-crackdown-on-illegal-mining-runs-out-of-steam-/articleshow/4990382.cms
Mining – International
Some tribes at odds over coal plants
Ben Nuvamsa, former Hopi leader, says the coal plant dispute presents an unusual rift between Native American tribes and environmentalists, who often work together on
By Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY
PHOENIX — The president of the Navajo Nation joined other Native American leaders this week in assailing environmentalists who have sought to block or shut down coal-fired power plants that provide vital jobs and revenue to tribes in northern Arizona.
"These are individuals and groups who claim to have put the welfare of fish and insects above the survival of the Navajo people when in fact their only goal is to stop the use of coal in the U.S. and the Navajo Nation," said Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr., who presides over America's largest Indian reservation, which sprawls over three states and claims a population of about 250,000.
Shirley's remarks came Wednesday after the Hopi Nation's Tribal Council sent a message Monday to the Sierra Club and a handful of other environmental groups: Stay off the reservation.
Tina May, a spokeswoman for the Hopi Nation's Tribal Council, said leaders unanimously adopted a resolution declaring that the conservation groups are unwelcome because they have damaged the tribe's economy by pushing to close the Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant near Page, Ariz., that produces electricity distributed by providers in Arizona, California and Nevada.
Andy Bessler, Sierra Club representative in the Southwest, expressed dismay at the resolution and noted that another tribal group, Hopis Organized for Political Initiative, supports environmental efforts.
"We work with anybody who wants to help protect the environment, stop global warming and transition our economy to a clean economy," Bessler told the Associated Press. "We don't discriminate, and we'll continue to honor the invitations we get from Hopi and Navajo communities to work with them."
The public castigation of conservation groups represents an unusual breach between Native American tribes and environmentalists, who often work hand-in-hand on political causes, according to Ben Nuvamsa, a former Hopi tribal chairman.
Tribes frequently partner with conservationists to protect resources and sacred sites, said Jerry Pardilla, executive director of the National Tribal Environmental Council. However, he added, with 564 diverse tribes, there are times when they get crosswise with the green movement.
Families depend on mines
Environmentalists have long campaigned against coal as an energy source, but the Navajo and Hopi say they depend on such revenue.
This spring, the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and some Native American groups called on the Environmental Protection Agency to study the Navajo Generating Station's role in causing smog over the Grand Canyon.
Stephanie Kodish, clean air counsel for the NPCA, complained at the time that the power plant is a source of "excessive pollution."
The Navajo Generating Station, operated by Phoenix-based Salt River Project, began producing electricity in 1974. It originally cost about $650 million, and $420 million more was spent in the 1990s to deal with pollution concerns. The generating station and a reservation coal mine now support hundreds of families, providing more than 70% of the Hopi Nation's governmental revenue, said Scott Canty, tribal counsel.
Nuvamsa, who resigned as Hopi chairman last year amid political infighting, scoffed at the council's resolution.
"This group here (the tribal council) has done so much to damage our tribal reputation and to violate our civil rights," he said. "As tribal members, we are all environmentalists because we're supposed to take care of Mother Earth."
Canty said closure of the plant would be devastating for Hopis.
"The tribe would essentially be penniless," he said.
Shutdown cost millions
Environmental campaigns such as the one surrounding the Navajo Generating Station have succeeded in the past.
Environmentalists successfully closed the Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, Nev., in December 2005 after a pollution lawsuit.
That shutdown cost the tribe more than $6.5 million per year, according to May, and closure of the Navajo Generating Station would wipe out another $11 million.
Shirley's statement of solidarity with his neighboring Hopi tribe ripped environmentalists for fighting development of Desert Rock Energy Project. This is a $2.5 billion proposed coal-fired power facility that Shirley described as "the most important economic development project in our nation's history."
Nada Talayumptewa, chairwoman of the council's energy team, said, "We need to make public that we don't want the environmental groups coming in and causing trouble for the Hopi tribe. It's time we take a stand."
The Sierra Club's Bessler said, "We need to do something about global warming, and coal is the greatest threat."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-09-30-sierra-conflict_N.htm
Murchison Metals update on Rocklea iron ore project
Thursday, 01 Oct 2009
Murchison Metals Limited announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for its 100% owned Rocklea Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.
Since announcing a maiden resource in February 2009, Murchison has conducted a comprehensive infill drilling program with a focus on the eastern part of the project and a higher grade zone identified as part of previous drilling campaigns.
The latest estimate confirms Murchison view that Rocklea is developing as an attractive Channel Iron Deposit with the potential for a proportion of the resource to be suitable for direct shipping. The deposit has a maximum total depth of 43 meters, demonstrates consistent widths and is close to existing and planned rail infrastructure, located only 35 kilometers from the mining town of Tom.
Recent large diameter diamond drilling has enabled the measurement of more than 300 in-situ bulk density values from representative locations across the deposit. This has led to a revision of the wet density assumed in the estimate from 2.6 to 2.4 tonnes cubic meters resulting in a marginally lower tonnage than that reported as part of the initial resource estimate in February 2009.
SRK Consultants was engaged by Murchison to complete the grade estimation. SRK has used a recoverable resource estimation method known as uniform conditioning. When compared to the initial resource estimate of February 2009 significantly higher grades have been estimated.
Mr Paul Kopejtka Executive Chairman of Murchison said the Company was pleased with the speed with which the Rocklea Project has progressed. He said that "This highlights the ability of Murchison to develop and bring on line projects in a timely and efficient manner, underpinned by strict investment criteria and strong financial disciplines."
Mr Paul Kopejtka said "A prime example of this was the accelerated development of the Jack Hills Stage 1 project which came into production in early 2007 with the rapid development program delivering strong upfront cash flows for Murchison. He said that "In the last 12 months, Murchison has taken the Rocklea project from Greenfield’s exploration to a significant Indicated Mineral Resource.”
He added that "Rocklea is shaping up to be an attractive CID deposit, with shallow geometry that may flow on to low stripping ratios which could have positive implications for future mining costs."
The scoping study is due for completion at the end of 2009.
Murchison Metals update on Rocklea iron ore project
Thursday, 01 Oct 2009
Murchison Metals Limited announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for its 100% owned Rocklea Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.
Since announcing a maiden resource in February 2009, Murchison has conducted a comprehensive infill drilling program with a focus on the eastern part of the project and a higher grade zone identified as part of previous drilling campaigns.
The latest estimate confirms Murchison view that Rocklea is developing as an attractive Channel Iron Deposit with the potential for a proportion of the resource to be suitable for direct shipping. The deposit has a maximum total depth of 43 meters, demonstrates consistent widths and is close to existing and planned rail infrastructure, located only 35 kilometers from the mining town of Tom.
Recent large diameter diamond drilling has enabled the measurement of more than 300 in-situ bulk density values from representative locations across the deposit. This has led to a revision of the wet density assumed in the estimate from 2.6 to 2.4 tonnes cubic meters resulting in a marginally lower tonnage than that reported as part of the initial resource estimate in February 2009.
SRK Consultants was engaged by Murchison to complete the grade estimation. SRK has used a recoverable resource estimation method known as uniform conditioning. When compared to the initial resource estimate of February 2009 significantly higher grades have been estimated.
Mr Paul Kopejtka Executive Chairman of Murchison said the Company was pleased with the speed with which the Rocklea Project has progressed. He said that "This highlights the ability of Murchison to develop and bring on line projects in a timely and efficient manner, underpinned by strict investment criteria and strong financial disciplines."
Mr Paul Kopejtka said "A prime example of this was the accelerated development of the Jack Hills Stage 1 project which came into production in early 2007 with the rapid development program delivering strong upfront cash flows for Murchison. He said that "In the last 12 months, Murchison has taken the Rocklea project from Greenfield’s exploration to a significant Indicated Mineral Resource.”
He added that "Rocklea is shaping up to be an attractive CID deposit, with shallow geometry that may flow on to low stripping ratios which could have positive implications for future mining costs."
The scoping study is due for completion at the end of 2009.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/01/MTE0MjYy/Murchison_Metals_update_on_Rocklea_iron_ore_project.html
Noranda to Increase Production at New Madrid Aluminum Smelter
FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation (“Noranda”) confirmed that its New Madrid aluminum smelter has initiated steps to return operations to full effective capacity, including the recall of 38 hourly employees in preparation for the restart of its third potline in early October.
The restart was announced by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today during a visit to the New Madrid facility. Governor Nixon also announced that the State is moving forward with the first $3 million of a planned $8 million economic development package to support Noranda’s employee training and capital investment initiatives at the smelter in the aftermath of the January 2009 ice storm that had severely curtailed 2009 production.
Layle K. “Kip” Smith, Noranda’s President and CEO said, “We are grateful for this new demonstration of support from Governor Jay Nixon and the State of Missouri. This provides a welcome boost for our New Madrid operations.”
Noranda had previously announced plans to increase production at its alumina refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana and its bauxite mining operations in St. Ann, Jamaica. The Gramercy alumina refinery supplies substantially all of the alumina used at the New Madrid smelter. St. Ann operates a Jamaican bauxite mine and related facilities pursuant to a partnership agreement with the Government of Jamaica and supplies Gramercy’s bauxite requirements.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” which involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to Noranda’s strategy, plans or intentions. All statements Noranda makes relating to its estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to the Company’s expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Noranda undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
Noranda’s actual results or performance may differ materially from those suggested, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements due to a wide range of factors including, without limitation, the general business environment, fluctuating commodity prices and the Company’s ability to return its New Madrid smelter to full capacity. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of Noranda, please see the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
About the Company
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation is a leading North American integrated producer of value-added primary aluminum products, as well as high quality rolled aluminum coils. Noranda is a private company owned by affiliates of Apollo Management, L.P.
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090930006459&newsLang=en
EPA to delay 79 coal mining permits in 4 states
By TIM HUBER (AP) – 10 hours ago
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — President Barack Obama's administration put the brakes on 79 applications for surface coal mining permits in four states Wednesday, saying they would violate the Clean Water Act.
The action is the administration's latest attempt to curb environmental damage from a highly efficient but damaging mining practice known as mountaintop removal. Each permit likely would cause significant damage to water quality and the environment, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a statement.
The permits would allow mine operators to bury intermittent streams with excess material removed to expose coal seams. Environmental groups including the Sierra Club and the Rainforest Action Network want Obama to ban the practice, arguing it destroys ancient mountain peaks, fouls water and damages the culture of Appalachia.
The applications now go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will coordinate changes to reduce potential damage. The aim is to avoid environmental damage and meet the country's energy and economic needs, Peter Silva, EPA's assistant administrator for water, wrote in a letter to the corps.
The EPA wants the mine operators to build fewer, smaller so-called valley fills to dispose of debris, Silva said in the letter. The agency also wants the permits to require more environmental monitoring, more information about mining effects on various watersheds and reviews of proposed mitigation plans.
The coal industry estimates mountaintop mines in Appalachia produce 130 million tons of coal a year, most of which goes to generate electricity for 24.7 million customers in the East and South.
"Coal mining throughout Appalachia cannot reassure thousands of anxious workers and their families, and we cannot plan for the economic future of our operations absent a workable, transparent process that provides certainty," National Mining Association President Hal Quinn said in a statement.
"EPA's answer of more delay and study is at cross-purposes with our nation's need for affordable energy, investments and secure jobs."
The United Mine Workers labor union also criticized the delay.
"It is imperative that the process for approving or rejecting permits be clarified so that everyone can know what to expect," President Cecil Roberts said in a statement. "Dragging things out only adds unnecessary pressure to coal miners, their families and their communities and makes it much more difficult to meet America's energy and economic needs."
All 79 permits were on a preliminary list released by the EPA Sept. 11 and public comments submitted since then support the decision, Silva wrote in the letter. They cover applications for surface coal mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. West Virginia and Kentucky rank second and third in U.S. coal production behind Wyoming.
"People all over West Virginia can't believe this is happening," West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said in a statement. "They don't understand why Washington is willing to kill-off good paying jobs when our economy is still on the ropes and the unemployment rate is still unacceptably high."
Mary Anne Hitt, deputy director of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign, praised the EPA and said the group hopes "it is just one of many positive actions the Obama administration will take toward ending mountaintop removal coal mining. An enhanced review of each of these pending permits will surely prove that this most destructive form of coal mining is incompatible with clean water."
Rainforest Action Network spokeswoman Nell Greenberg called the action an important step toward a mountaintop mining ban.
"It is clear which way the wind is blowing on mountaintop removal mining," she said in a statement.
The EPA said the 79 delayed permits represent the corps' current backlog of mountaintop mining permits, though the National Mining Association put that figure at 250.
(This version CORRECTS Rainforest Action Network reference in 3rd graf.)
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrhO5QqMpXzKVDeYZG47Sm71BHCgD9B1S1G00
507-carat diamond found in SA mine worth 12m pounds !
by ANI on SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
London, Sept 30 (ANI): A diamond the size of a chicken egg and worth an estimated 12 million pounds has been found at the Cullinan mine northeast of Pretoria.
One of the world’s biggest-ever sparklers – a 507.55-carat whopper – was showed off by mining group Petra Diamonds’ chief executive Johan Dippenaar.
The Cullinan mine, near Pretoria, is part owned by UK firm Petra.
The original 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond became the largest rough diamond ever discovered when it was found on January 26 1905 by miner Frederick Wells, reports The Sun.
Once polished, the stone was presented to King Edward VII and now forms part of the British crown jewels.
It was only overtaken as the world’s biggest polished diamond in 1985 with the discovery of the Golden Jubilee diamond, also at the Cullinan mine. (ANI)
http://trak.in/news/507-carat-diamond-found-in-sa-mine-worth-12m-pounds/9080/
Coal-mining hazard resembles explosive volcanic eruption, study shows
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Worldwide, thousands of workers die every year from mining accidents, and instantaneous coal outbursts in underground mines are among the major killers. But although scientists have been investigating coal outbursts for more than 150 years, the precise mechanism is still unknown.
New research by scientists at the University of Michigan and Peking University in Beijing, China, suggests that the outbursts occur through a process very similar to what happens during explosive volcanic eruptions. The research is described in a paper in the October issue of the journal Geology.
"Just as magma can fragment when pressure on it is reduced, triggering an explosive eruption, gas-rich coal can also erupt when suddenly decompressed, as happens when excavation exposes a new layer of coal," said Youxue Zhang, professor of geology, whose previous work on volcanic eruptions, Africa's "exploding lakes" and theorized methane-driven ocean eruptions set the stage for the current research.
Zhang did much of the work on the coal outburst project in 2006 and 2007, during a part-time professorship at Peking University. Around that time, a number of deadly coal mine accidents---in China, Russia and the United States---had made headlines, and just before leaving for China in 2006, Zhang had printed out articles about the disasters to read during his flight.
"While reading a paper describing coal outbursts as violent ejection of pulverized coal particles and gas, the similarity of coal outbursts to magma fragmentation suddenly occurred to me," Zhang said.
When he arrived at Peking University, he discussed the idea with colleague Ping Guan, and the two decided to collaborate on experiments simulating coal outbursts. Zhang recruited undergraduate student Haoyue Wang to help with the project, in which the researchers used a shock tube apparatus similar to the one Zhang had used in previous experiments on explosive volcanic eruptions. Their experiments verified that coal outbursts are driven by high gas pressure inside coal and occur through a mechanism similar to magma fragmentation.
Before an explosive volcanic eruption, magma (molten rock in Earth's crust) contains a high concentration of dissolved gas, mainly water vapor. When pressure on the magma is reduced, as happened in the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens when overlying rock was suddenly removed, gas bubbles in the magma rapidly expand. Pressure is higher inside the bubbles than in the surrounding magma, and when pressure on the bubble walls builds to the breaking point, the bubbles burst and the magma fragments into pieces in an explosive eruption.
In deep coal beds, coal contains high concentrations of the gases carbon dioxide and methane. When a coal seam is exposed, pressure on the coal is reduced, but pressure on the gas inside the coal remains high. When the resulting stress exceeds the coal's strength, the coal fragments, releasing high-pressure gas that suddenly decompresses, ejecting outward and carrying pulverized coal with it.
The first recorded coal outburst was in France in 1834. Since then, outbursts have occurred in China, Russia, Turkey, Poland, Belgium, Japan and about a dozen other nations. They happen only in deep mines where coal contains gas at high pressure, but as deeper coals are mined to satisfy the world's energy demands, the risk of outbursts increases.
"Knowing the mechanism of coal outbursts is the first step toward predicting and preventing such disasters," said Zhang.
Next, the researchers plan more experiments to verify their results. Then, they hope to capture details of the outbursts with a high-speed camera and to study a variety of coal types from different mines.
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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/uom-cmh092809.php
Other News – India
25 mn more kids to go hungry by 2050; India to be worst-hit
Last updated on: September 30, 2009
Over 25 million more children will suffer from malnourishment by 2050 due to effects of climate change and India will be one of the worst affected in the Asian region, a report by the International Food Policy Research Institute said on Wednesday.
However, the study finds that the scenario of lower yields, higher prices, and increased child malnutrition can be averted with $7 billion additional annual investments in rural development especially in developing countries.
$7 billion per year of additional investments in agricultural productivity is to help farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change. Investments are needed in agricultural research, improved irrigation, and rural roads to increase market access for poor farmers, Gerald Nelson, IFPRI senior research fellow and a lead author told media in a teleconference on Tuesday night from Washington.
Developing countries will be hit hardest by climate change and will face bigger declines in crop yields and production than industrialised countries.
The negative effects of climate change are especially pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Compared to the average biophysical effects of climate change on yields in the industrialised world, the developing countries fare worse for almost all crops, he said.
• Asian countries most vulnerable to climate change are India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Nepal.
• India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal are particularly vulnerable to declining crop yields due to glacial melting, floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall, among other factors.
• Asia is the most disaster-afflicted region in the world, accounting for about 89 percent of people affected by disasters worldwide.
• More than 60 percent of the economically active population and their dependents -- 2.2 billion people -- rely on agriculture for their livelihoods in developing parts of Asia.
Image: Flood-affected children crowd around a relief worker distributing free milk at a flood relief camp in Purniya in Bihar.
http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/30/slide-show-1-25-mn-more-kids-to-go-hungry-by-2050-india-to-be-worst-hit.htm
'The world food system still in crisis'
PTI 27 September 2009, 09:38am IST
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UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said that the world food system is still in crisis and called for transformation of market
systems so that they can work better for the poor.
"There is more than enough food in the world, yet today, more than one billion people are hungry," Ban said during an event on food security yesterday, hosted by him and US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton, on the sidelines of UN General Assembly.
"Ever more people are denied food because prices are stubbornly high, because the purchasing power has fallen due to the economic crisis or because rains have failed and reserve stocks of grain have been eaten," he added.
This followed up the G8 summit in L'Aquila in Italy where nations pledged USD 20 billion for coordinated support to country-led food security strategies.
"We must ensure that the money is disbursed promptly and effectively," Ban said. He noted that a UN high-level task force was working on an initiate to usher in a "a new era in agricultural development."
Five principles to battle the food crisis were also devised at the Italy summit - the need to invest in country-led plan, addressing the causes of hunger by investing in research (better seeds, insurance programs for small farmers), improve co-ordination at every level, leverage the benefits of multilateral institutions to support and help fulfill the country plans and finally pledge a long-term commitment based on accountability.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/developmental-issues/The-world-food-system-still-in-crisis/articleshow/5061532.cms
India generates 150 million tonnes of waste per day
PTI 18 September 2009, 09:18pm IST
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NEW DELHI: India generates 150 million tonne of waste in a day and most of it is left in the landfills at the city outskirts leaving a stinking
smell and vultures hovering over heaps of hazardous material.
Only 10-20 per cent of the city waste is recyled in an environment-friendly way and the rest is allowed to lie in the landfills, Environment and Forests Secretary Vijai Sharma said on Friday.
Heaps of urban wastes hosting vultures is a common site in most of the big cities and the governments at the central and state levels must step in to avert the environmental hazard, felt participants at the workshop on technical textile, which has application in waste management.
The developed nations, on the other hand, have made advances in waste recycling and are way ahead of developing countries like India, Sharma said at the workshop ,organised here by the Minsitry of Textile and the FICCI.
The rich and industrialised nations are able to build capacities for sustainable development and recycle 60-70 per cent of the waste they generate, the Environment and Forests Secretary said.
He said different wings of the government should work in unison through an inter-ministerial group, and other stakeholders be part of the consultative process to deal with the task of reuse of waste.
The technical textile products used for environment protection are called 'Oekotech'. These have different uses for landfill waste management.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/environment/pollution/India-generates-150-million-tonnes-of-waste-per-day/articleshow/5028160.cms
‘Give free education up to 18 yrs’
Express News Service
First Published : 01 Oct 2009 01:14:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Oct 2009 06:59:02 AM IST
TIRUCHY: Provide free education to schoolchildren up to 18 years as per the UN resolution was the demand made to the State government by Ajith, Education Minister of Tamil Nadu, at the Puducherry State Parliament of Children.
And the call for free education gains importance because the minister, though a child, is a member of an organisation that bagged Global UNICEF-San Marino Award 2009 for the best child- led organisation for child rights action.
While Parliament was in session he went on record saying, “The House thanks the Tamil Nadu Government for providing free education to all the school students up to 14 years. The House also lauds the government’s support for the various schemes under SSA.”
These child ministers do not just make speeches; they fight for child rights by way of meeting officials and petitioning them regarding child rights violations. Earlier, these ministers had rescued students from child labour.
The newly elected ministers, from various districts are studying in Class V to X. They were sworn in on Monday during a special session of the House held here.
The session began with the invocatory Tamil Thai Vazhthu. Then the proceedings began with Arockia Raja Manickam of Tiruchy, Minister for Women and Children Welfare, steering the House.
Muthu Selva Ganesh of Theni, who was elected Prime Minister this time. In his address he said the children’s Parliament resolved to ensure the children their fundamental rights like right to live, protect and participate.
Later, Fr Isaac invited the sub-judge to administer the Cabinet the oath of office. Subsequently, Gamathi Nayagam, the sub-judge and district legal services authority secretary, administered the oath.
Appreciating the move by the government to provide free bus passes to school students, Maria Sebastian, Transport Minister, demanded special buses for school children during peak hours.
The three-day parliament session, which began on Monday concluded on Wednesday with a parliamentary session.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=‘Give+free+education+up+to+18+yrs’&artid=Fz46mp9PSSI=&SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=
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