Mining – India
1. 'Mining, infrastructure are key areas for investment in West Bengal'
2. New mining policy to facilitate coal syndicate
3. MPHRC slams Draft State Mining Policy
4. Mining hurting tribes, environment in India
5. Anti-uranium stir gathers steam, govt jeep torched
6. CIL ink JV for coal gasification
7. Illegal mineral extraction to be brought under control
8. Two illegal miners trapped inside coal mine, two rescued
9. NTPC, Coal India Ink Agreement To Form JV To Develop Coal Mines
Mining – International
10. Province plans to ban uranium mining
11. Uranium company moving offices to Wyoming capital
12. Gwanda to revive mining
13. Michigan proposal would restrict mining operations
Other News – India
14. Climate change could threaten national security
15. India has good laws restricting child labour — but they are not enforced
16. 60,000 people leave displacement camps in eastern DRC, about one million in need of humanitarian assistance
Mining – India
'Mining, infrastructure are key areas for investment in West Bengal'
14 Oct 2009, 2219 hrs IST, Ashoke Nag, ET Bureau
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KOLKATA: New US ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer does not believe investment prospects have "fizzled out" in West Bengal. Mining and
infrastructure, according to him, are key areas that can attract US investments.
"I met chief minister (Buddhadeb) Bhattacharjee and discussed ways that our two countries can work together more closely to advance our common interests and achieve shared goals. I found the chief minister to be a very experienced person. I was also at the American Chamber of Commerce and they are also working toward attracting investments here. Amongst some other factors, we are looking at equal opportunities and the rule of law," Mr Roemer said.
"I look forward to expanding and deepening US-India partnerships as you strive to reach that potential," he added. The US envoy was in the midst of an interactive meet with the media in the city on Wednesday.
"This is my first visit to Kolkata and I’ve enjoyed exploring this wonderful city. My impression of Kolkata is of a dynamic and diverse city, teeming with life and energy. And, I’ve "met" Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa by visiting the lovely memorials that remind us all of the contributions that they.ve made not just to Kolkata, but to the world.
According to Mr Roemer, the US and India have now launched a new ‘Strategic Dialogue’. "This will increase the scope of our cooperation across five key pillars -- strategic cooperation, science, technology, health and innovation, energy and climate change, education and development and finally, economics, trade and agriculture. These reflect the full range of our relationship, which is no longer focused on a single issue, but is as expansive as the needs and interests of our two peoples."
Citing an instance in tieups between Indian and US, the US ambassador spoke of the cooperative efforts in education and the doubling the number of recipients of Fulbright-Nehru scholarships. "Universities in our respective countries are also exploring partnerships and exhanges of both faculty members and students."
Turning to the menace of terrorism, he said there is exteme radicalism along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "India and the US are working to share intelligence and biometric information on activities in these areas. I feel Pakistan must also prosecute the 7 suspects who had triggered the 26/11 terrorists attacks in Mumbai. We share the same emotion as India does about the 9/11 terrorist strike in the US," Mr Roemer expressed.
"When President Obama handed me this assignment, he asked me to meet as many of the 1.1 million people in India. He might have been kidding sometimes, but he meant it. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. I have distributed
certificates to 100 students in Kidderpore. The US government is helping them achieve their dream by providing scholarships through our English Access Microscholarship program," he informed.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/metals-mining/Mining-infrastructure-are-key-areas-for-investment-in-West-Bengal/articleshow/5124894.cms
New mining policy to facilitate coal syndicate
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Coal mine owners of Jaintia Hills met on Tuesday at the Khliehriat circuit house to discuss the fall-out of the proposed scientific mining in the State after the adoption of the new State Mining Policy.
The meeting was convened by Nehlang Lyngdoh, MLA and Thomas Nongtdu, nominated MDC, JHADC.
The coal mine owners have reportedly opposed the mining policy on the plea that it would oust out the small owners who might not be able to afford scientific mining techniques.
They fear that this would pave the way for the entry of a powerful coal syndicate, comprising lobbies from outside the state who would take over the privately-owned mines, particularly the small and medium mines.
A prominent member of the coal miners association who attended the meeting said, "If this policy is implemented coal mine owners would have no choice bur to sell their land to the Syndicate at a price dictated by them (syndicate)
Sources claim that a powerful politician from Jaintia Hills with a wide reach in the rest of the country is behind this proposed syndication of coal mining.
Earlier the private coal mine owners had agreed to an eco-restoration plan around the abandoned mines of Jaintia Hills but said they would have to abandon this plan if the Syndicate takes over. The sources also say this will be the final take-over of all coal mining activities by forces outside Meghalaya and that coal mining would no longer benefit the people of Jaintia Hills or Meghalaya but only a few powerful politicians.
MPHRC slams Draft State Mining Policy
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC) has slammed the Draft State Mining Policy terming it as 'archaic and inconsequential'.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, DDG Dympep, secretary general MPHRC said, "The draft State Mining Policy has failed to address many core fundamental issues concerning various human rights standards and the rights of the indigenous peoples that would serve the State in the long run".
He also said that the Draft State Mining Policy speaks nothing in detail about uranium mining which is one of the major issues being debated currently.
Terming the Draft State Mining Policy as flawed, the MPHRC said, "The government of Meghalaya is not serious in adopting a rights based approach to development."
Questioning the State Government's decision to allow only 15 days time for the public to put forward their suggestions and views on the Draft State Mining Policy, the MPHRC said that the policy also failed to mention the names of the expert members and many other stakeholders who are involved in preparing the policy. Expressing suspicion over the entire policy, the MPHRC said the mining policy has either been copied from some other sources or is being prepared in a hurried manner.
Rejecting the present draft mining policy, the MPHRC urged the State Government to be more transparent so that the indigenous people of the State were not deprived.
It may be noted that the Congress-led MUA Government had on September 24 invited suggestions and views from the public on the Draft State Mining Policy within 15 days.
A number of people have questioned the State Government's decision to allow only 15 days' time for the public to put forward their suggestions and views on the draft policy.
Mining hurting tribes, environment in India
More robust policy needed to minimise detrimental effects, which ricochet on the state
By YOGI AGGARWAL
MAOISTS guerillas in India are increasingly targeting economic resources, with mines bearing the brunt of the attacks.
Draining the land's wealth: A woman digging for lumps of iron ore at a mine in Kheonjar, Orissa. Mine owners refuse to spend just seven rupees per tonne of ore excavated - a fraction of the 5,000 rupees per tonne that they earn from the sale of iron ore - to restore the land
Mining of important ores such as iron, bauxite and coal is not only causing environmental damage but is a major reason for growing support for Maoists, known as Naxalites in India, in the thickly forested parts of the country, the home of India's marginalised tribal people.
Mines abound in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa and have been attacked over the years. In a recent attack on the Nalco bauxite mine in Koraput district of Orissa, 11 people were killed. The home ministry estimates that 20-25 per cent of India's coal production, the country's primary energy source, has been hit by Naxalite violence.
Though the latest attack last week by Maoists in Maharashtra's backward Gadchiroli district, which killed 17 policemen, was not on an economic asset, other attacks have targeted them. Over 270 troops were killed by Maoists so far this year, compared to 90 killed in Kashmir, showing the extent of the problem.
Maoism has grown rapidly in the past decade in the most backward regions of the country, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. These are normally heavily forested areas, underdeveloped and populated by tribal people.
Mining activities, far from increasing the region's prosperity, drive tribals from their land and towards extreme left wing politics. Of the 50 major mining districts, 60 per cent are among the 150 poorest districts. Further, of the top 50 mining districts in the country, half are in tribal land, and 40 per cent of mineral rich districts are affected by Naxalism. Vast stretches of forest amounting to 1,640 square kilometres been diverted to mining.
Tribals led by Naxalites are also opposing new iron ore and coal mining concessions being given to steel plants being put up by Tata Steel, Posco and Arcelor Mittal in Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
One of the most heavily Naxalite dominated areas, Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh, also shows all the characteristics of a development gone wrong and the reasons behind the extremism. It produces 69 per cent of iron ore in the state, has forest cover of 62 per cent and 79 per cent of its population is tribal.
When the inhabitants see their habitat destroyed and are driven from their homes, they are drawn to extreme solutions.
The latest State of the Environment report released by the Centre for Science and Environment explains how it works. 'These minerals lie under the same land which holds most of the nation's biologically diverse forests and water systems. What's more, the nation's poorest, most marginalised people inhabit these lands, its richest. 'These people, a large majority of whom are tribals, have lived in this symbiotic bond for centuries', and 'Naxalism can be directly related to a crisis of faith' in the way that these areas are being exploited without any thought for those who live there.
If mining in the heavily tribal districts is leading to militant movements against the state, in prosperous Goa, it has led to environmental activism.
Largely because of this, in litigation in the courts and advocacy in government, 14 of the 103 operating leased mines in Goa have been closed recently. Over 70 more are facing threats of closure because of violation of environmental norms.
The areas of strip mining of iron ore stand out like gaping red wounds in the green hills of Goa. Mine owners refuse to spend just seven rupees (21 Singapore cents) per tonne of ore excavated - a fraction of the 5,000 rupees per tonne that they earn from sales - to restore the land.
In Sirigao village in northern Goa, wells are running dry because the mines pump out ground water as they dig deeper. Coconut trees have withered away and village commons and rivers are contaminated by iron ore dust.
A monograph, Goa sweet land of mine, by Goa Foundation, an NGO, points out how mining is illegally encroaching on areas of great biodiversity and wild life sanctuaries in the small state. 'The bulk of the mining is well hidden from the eyes of international tourists who rave about Goa, its beaches and its beauty,' states the monograph.
Though mining is meant to contribute a substantial amount to the state's economy, it is not doing that. While mines occupy some 8.5 per cent of the state's area, they account for just 4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
This compares poorly with manufacturing and tourism. Manufacturing occupies less than one per cent of the land and makes up 26 per cent of GDP, while tourism occupies 3 per cent of the land and accounts for over 13 per cent of GDP.
One problem is that 40 million tonnes per year of iron ore exports from Goa make up some 40 per cent of India's total. This ore, which is inferior to the ore used by Indian steel mills, goes to China, and is India's main export there.
Besides this, iron ore from nearby Karnataka state is also shipped from Goa, adding to pollution caused by its poorly supervised movement through the state.
If mining is not to ricochet on the Indian state by way of violent political movements or extensive environmental damage, a more robust policy to minimise its detrimental effects is needed. And the realisation that, as in the Amazon rain forest, the people who live there are more important than those who stand to profit from its resources.
The writer is a Mumbai-based journalist who contributes regularly to BT
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/views/story/0,4574,354725,00.html
Anti-uranium stir gathers steam, govt jeep torched
TNN 14 October 2009, 10:44pm IST
SHILLONG: The anti-uranium stir in Meghalaya is getting murkier than ever. A government vehicle was set ablaze by miscreants on Wednesday, hours
ahead of a night road blockade called by Khasi Students Union (KSU), which begun at 7 this evening to protest against the proposed uranium mining project in the state.
A Maruti Gypsy, belonging to the health department's Pasteur Institute, was burnt down at Jaiaw locality in the city in the afternoon. "The vehicle was parked on the roadside when four men lobbed something burning at it. The driver was inside, but disembarked immediately after the vehicle caught fire," police sources said.
The East Khasi Hills district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 (CrPC) restricting any person or group of persons from obstructing any vehicular movement or causing damage to any vehicle," East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner J Lyngdoh said.
KSU had called for night road blockade from 7 pm on Wednesday to 5 am on Thursday, which would resume at 9 pm on Thursday to 5 am on Friday. The blockade is in protest against the state government's decision to lease 422 sq hectares of land to Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) in the uranium-rich areas of the state for pre-project developmental work. The Union maintains that the project would lead to severe health hazards besides damaging the environment.
Government sources said Central paramilitary forces would be deployed, if required, to ensure that the blockade does not affect normal life. Principle secretary (Home) Barkos Warjri said the SPs of East and West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts have been instructed to ensure free flow of traffic on the highways. "Orders have been given to officials to keep government vehicles in safe custody during the blockade hours," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Anti-uranium-stir-gathers-steam-govt-jeep-torched-/articleshow/5124972.cms
CIL ink JV for coal gasification
Thursday, 15 Oct 2009
Coal India Ltd the world's largest coal producer will sign a joint venture agreement with another PSU for undertaking surface based coal gasification project.
A source close to the development said that the agreement will be signed in two days, but did not name the PSU. The sourced said that "We have received 2 to 4 proposals for surface coal gasification project, of which we are going ahead with one of them, which is with another PSU. It is for the production of synthetic gas and some other by-products as well and there would be an investment from CIL."
ONGC had proposed 50:50 joint ventures to CIL for surface coal gasification purpose.
In January last year, CIL had signed a memorandum of understanding with GAIL India Ltd for undertaking joint development of surface based coal gasification project. The CAPEX for the project was estimated at INR 2,400 crore. However, the project has not taken off.
When contacted, a GAIL India official said that production was delayed because a coal block has not yet been allotted.
Mr Gautam Dhar chief general manager of CIL said that "The MoU had been signed and a feasibility report was prepared by an independent agency and subsequently, a joint nature of allocation of coal was to be done. But due to some reasons, it got delayed."
He added that "The request for allocation of coal block was with ministry of coal for more than a year and recently they have written to CIL adjourning the coal block. It is now under examination.”
Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW Steel too has been planning to undertake a surface coal gasification project in West Bengal. They have received one coal block at West Bengal for steel manufacturing, but nothing concrete has come from the company till now.
CIL is also looking at revising its pricing structure for its forward e-auction process. A CIL official told DNA Money, the reserve prices were higher because the coal was "only from loss-making mines".
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/10/15/MTE2MjY2/CIL_ink_JV_for_coal_gasification.html
Illegal mineral extraction to be brought under control
Category » Madhya Pradesh Posted On Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chronicle News Service
Hoshangabad, Oct 14:
After a meeting with the public representatives at meeting hall of the collector Office, the collector issued instructions to take strict actions against the persons involved in illegal mining and transportation.
Collector asked all the revenue officers to assist the fortnight, which is being organised to raise awareness among the masses to bring the illegal mining and transportation under control. He instructed the sub divisional officers to take stringent actions against those who are running the illegal extraction and transportation. He said that unless there is an active participation of officials in the drive, it would not be possible to stop the illegal extraction and transportation of the minerals. He instructed to set up a joint team of officials of mining revenue and police department to hold investigation. He also asked them to immediately dispose off the pending cases of minerals without any partiality.
Legislator Girijashankar Sharma suggested in the meeting to set up a barrier near Gadaria nullah stressing on the effective control against the illegal extraction and overloading. Legislator Sartaj singh suggested the arrangement of weighing the sand laden trucks of Hoshangabad and Sehore separately. He said that there would be a desired improvement if the officials and employees of Mining Corporation pay attention towards the overloading. Pipariya MLA Thakurdas Nagvanshi demanded detailed investigation of illegal extraction and overloading of the minerals. Jila Panchayat president Bhavanishankar Sharma suggested that non-professional people should also be granted permission to take sand if the need arises. He also suggested actions against the employees of Mining Corporation for conniving overloading.
District mining officer Akhilesh Chourey gave the departmental information in the meeting. Jila Panchayat CEO Sandeep Singh, SDM Sapana Shivale, RK Vanshkar, Patle, Tehsildar SK Pandey, Janpad president Rammohan Malaiya along with other public representatives participated in the meeting.
http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=16855
Two illegal miners trapped inside coal mine, two rescued
TNN 14 October 2009, 09:11pm IST
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SINDRI: Although the government has launched hundreds of schemes for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the benefits of
such schemes are yet to reach them. And when it becomes a question of survival, they put their lives to risk to ensure two square meals a day for their family members.
It happened on Wednesday afternoon as well when four persons got trapped in a mine located near the south Tisra pond in their bid to extract coal illegally. Villagers, however, successfully pulled out two of the miners, who have been identified as Suresh Mochi and Lakshman Ravidas, around 5 in the evening.
The fate of the other two trapped miners Panchanan alias Panchu and Manik Mochi is not known.
According to reports, villagers mostly belonging to Mochi Tola of Surunga under the Alakdiha outpost of the Jorapokhar police station in the district have been extracting coal illegally from the said mine for long. The villagers are learnt to have dug up nearly 30-ft deep holes on private lands. After extracting coal, they sell the same to local hard coke industries.
On Wednesday afternoon, when they were extracting coal from one such hole, a huge chunk of unstable earth crust fell on them and four of them got trapped inside. A crater measuring about 15x20 ft was created due to the subsidence.
Their companions standing on the surface of the earth raised an alarm and hundreds of villagers gathered on the spot to widen the hole. Sources claimed that the trapped persons were alive as they were still shouting for help.
According to villagers, the local officials of the south Tisra colliery of the BCCL were urged to engage heavy earth moving equipment to dig out the area. However, they refused to send vehicles on private land.
Meanwhile, the officer in-charge of the Alakdiha outpost, Yogendra Murmu, arrived at the spot and the villagers, too, pulled out Suresh Mochi and Lakshman Ravidas from the mine.
Villagers are trying to locate the whereabouts of the other two persons trapped inside the mine, Murmu told TOI over phone. "We have requested the colliery management to provide heavy earth moving equipment to expedite the exercise and save precious lives," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Two-illegal-miners-trapped-inside-coal-mine-two-rescued/articleshow/5124500.cms
NTPC, Coal India Ink Agreement To Form JV To Develop Coal Mines
Published: 15-Oct-2009
Indian state-owned utility National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has inked an agreement with Coal India to form a 50:50 joint venture (JV) for developing the Brahmini and Chichro Patsimal coal mining blocks in eastern India.
The coal mining blocks would supply coal to NTPC's Farakka and Kahalgaon power plants in West Bengal and Bihar respectively.
After meeting the coal requirements of these projects, the proposed JV would also consider implementation of integrated thermal power plant, if found feasible, said NTPC.
As reported, the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), a subsidiary of Coal India, is likely to prepare a project report.
With a current generating capacity of 30,644MW, NTPC has embarked on plans to become a 75,000MW company by 2017. Coal India is a public sector undertaking of the Indian Government.
http://www.energy-business-review.com/News/ntpc_coal_india_ink_agreement_to_form_jv_to_develop_coal_mines_091015/
Mining – International
Province plans to ban uranium mining
Natural Resources minister says law is what public wanted, but he couldn’t really say why
By JEFFREY SIMPSON Provincial Reporter
Thu. Oct 15 - 4:46 AM
The NDP government announced Wednesday that it will make it illegal to mine uranium in the province — but had trouble explaining why.
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell said turning a long-standing ban into law was a response to public concerns. He said he heard some of those concerns while he was chairman of the legislature’s resources committee, although he couldn’t recall the details.
"That was over a year ago, so if I was to speak kind of clearly on all of that, I might mislead you and I’d mislead myself," Mr. MacDonell told reporters at a briefing on the bill.
"So I won’t go there."
Mr. MacDonell said the province is giving up a potential source of revenue while it grapples with its $592-million deficit.
"This is one of those places where I think Nova Scotians have said, ‘Gain revenue where you can, but we’re not interested in you getting it here,’ " he said.
The proposed law prohibits mining and exploring for uranium. It goes beyond a cabinet-decreed ban dating from 1981 by making it more difficult for future governments to change this policy. To do so, they would need a majority of members to vote for it.
But it allows for the metal to be mined if it’s encountered when digging for another mineral, if it is present in quantities of less than .01 per cent by weight.
Mr. MacDonell said the proposed law will remove any incentive companies may have to search for uranium.
"Even in the event of a discovery, the explorer can obtain no rights to the commodity and therefore has no opportunity to benefit from the discovery," he said.
The proposed law is modelled after those in New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
"Many Nova Scotians have expressed their opposition to uranium and a desire to see the moratorium strengthened by legislating it," Mr. MacDonell said.
"We promised to make this moratorium law and we are keeping that promise."
Peter Oram, president of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, said people in the industry are disappointed.
"We feel there really needs to be more fact-based, science-based discussion on policy," Mr. Oram said. "This feels a little more like politics than policy."
Liberal MLA Leo Glavine said he supported the moratorium but was left with unanswered questions about the proposed law.
"I was hoping today that the minister himself would have come with a more depth of knowledge on the subject. I was surprised that he hadn’t even conferred with his cabinet colleagues on this. So it’s very much in tune with a political promise, as opposed to a well-researched document."
Tory MLA Chuck Porter recently introduced a private member’s bill in the legislature to ban mining for uranium in his riding of Hants West to protect the area’s watershed.
Mr. Porter said he supports the proposed law but is open to reconsidering it if mining uranium is eventually deemed to be without risk.
"It may very well come to fruition someday," he said.
"We’ll get the people’s opinion."
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1147691.html
Uranium company moving offices to Wyoming capital
CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Uranium mining company Cameco Corp. has announced that it will move its U.S. headquarters from Lakewood, Colo., to Cheyenne next year.
Spokesman Ken Vaughn said Tuesday that the move is scheduled for Feb. 1 and will bring about 12 new jobs to Wyoming.
The Canadian-based company is one of the world's largest uranium producers.
Cameco ( CCJ - news - people ) owns and operates the Smith Ranch-Highland in-situ uranium mine near Glenrock, the only operating uranium mine in Wyoming. It also owns and operates the Crow Butte in-situ uranium mine near Crawford, Neb.
Vaughn says the company has several more Wyoming projects under development.
The company currently employs 165 people in Wyoming and 69 in Nebraska.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/10/14/business-materials-financial-impact-us-cameco-cheyenne_7000350.html
Gwanda to revive mining
Written by PAUL NDLOVU
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 14:35
GWANDA – The town has embarked on a project that will see the revival of its mining industry to help fast track development in the town. (Pictured: Illegal miners)
The Mayor of the town, Councillor Lionel De Necker said the move was necessitated by the abundance of mineral reserves in the town including gold and cement. “The fact that Gwanda has witnessed growing activity from illegal gold panners goes to prove that we are a rich town thus there is a need for us to exploit these resources to boost development,” he said.
De Necker said there was an urgent need for stakeholders to join hands and devise strategies to try and incorporate the illegal panners into the main stream industry rather than fight them.
Gwanda is one of the towns that were adversely affected by illegal mining activities, which saw millions of dollars meant to go to the development of the nation going to waste.
The town has a cement production company at Collen Bawn and has proposed other sites for possible cement mining.
“The only way by which we can re-establish mining as a key industry is by effectively expanding operations, capacitate and educate illegal miners on the proper means of mining for them to be able to contribute to developmental issues,” he said. The Mayor said that there was an urgent need to focus on illegal mining activities as they were contributing to the degradation of the environment.
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/2009101425556/business-news/gwanda-to-revive-mining.html
Michigan proposal would restrict mining operations
By TIM MARTIN Associated Press Writer
6:20 p.m. CDT, October 14, 2009
LANSING, Mich. - A proposed Michigan ballot measure that would prohibit some types of mining and restrict others took a small step forward Wednesday.
The petition form submitted by a group called the Michigan Save Our Water Committee was approved by a state election board. The group would have to collect more than 300,000 valid signatures of Michigan voters to get its proposal on the statewide November 2010 ballot.
The group has not yet started collecting signatures but says it could begin that process by the end of the year.
Supporters say the ballot measure calls for tougher laws to protect the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers and the rest of the environment from contamination caused by some types of mining.
Opponents of the ballot proposal say it would cripple Michigan's mining industry and severely damage the Upper Peninsula's economy.
"The proposal winds up being a direct assault, a direct attack on the U.P.," said Deb Muchmore, a spokeswoman for Citizens to Protect Michigan Jobs, a developing opposition group that is expected to soon include mining interests. "It would be a job killer and an industry killer for that region of our state."
The most publicized mining dispute in Michigan is related to Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co.'s plans to mine nickel and copper in the Upper Peninsula. But supporters of the ballot proposal say their effort is much broader.
"This is not about one mine," said Maura Campbell, Michigan Save Our Water Committee spokeswoman. "This is us looking down the road."
The measure would prohibit uranium mining and processing until "new rules" are established to "protect against the special risks associated with those activities," according to the petition language.
Sulfide and other types of mines would have to be located at least 2,000 feet away from any lake, river or stream unless it is proven the mining operation won't hurt the water. Companies seeking permits would have to do more studying of potential environmental impact.
The Michigan League of Conservation Voters has endorsed the proposal. Some other environmental groups have not yet taken a position on the measure.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-mining-ballotprop,0,4923509.story
Other News – India
Climate change could threaten national security
Adianto P. Simamora , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 10/15/2009 11:59 AM | National
The effects of climate change could threaten national security as thousands of outermost and small islands serving as baselines for territorial borders are at risk from being swallowed up by rising sea levels.
State Minister for National Developing Planning/Chairman of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Paskah Suzetta said the disappearance of small islands could shift baselines on territorial borders and alter sea traffic routes.
"The changes in traffic routes in waters will pose serious risks to national security from illicit activities, including illegal logging and fishing, robberies, and exploitation of natural mining and energy resources," he said, adding this could also lead to food, energy and water crises.
"Thus, it is crucial to prioritize climate change issues in national development planning, including national security affairs."
A study predicts sea levels around Indonesia could rise by 0.4 meters within a year, washing away 7,400 square kilometers in coastal areas.
By 2100, sea levels were predicted to have risen by 1 meter, which would swallow up 100,000 kilometers of land and submerge 2,000 islands.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi said Indonesia had already lost 29 islets since 2007 due to rising sea levels.
There are currently 17,504 small islands in Indonesia, of which 9,634 remain unnamed. The country's 81,000 kilometers of coastline are the second largest in the world with 60 percent of Java's population living along the coastal areas.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines how states may draw their territorial borders using baselines between the outermost points of outermost islands.
Bappenas is drafting a strategy that places climate change at the forefront in national development planning. The strategy, which considers all climate-change affected sectors, will provide guidelines in determining the allocation of the state budget to each department between 2010 and 2030.
Bappenas has also set up an Indonesian climate change trust fund (ICCTF) to pool all financial aid to tackle climate change.
Environmental guru Emil Salim said Indonesia needed to review its development policies, including on energy, defense and agriculture due to severe climate change impacts.
"We are not yet fighting with other countries but climate change could create conflict among communities, which would harm national security," said Emil, also a presidential advisor on environmental issues.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono admitted the office had yet to include climate change in its national security policies.
"However, we are already addressing efficient energy matters."
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/10/15/climate-change-could-threaten-national-security.html
India has good laws restricting child labour — but they are not enforced
Rhys Blakely: Analysis
RECOMMEND? (3)
In the child labour debate, one apologistic argument often rears its ugly head. It posits that many poor people rely on their children to work to support the family and that it would be naive to think this situation can be reversed quickly.
Which is preferable, proponents of this line of logic ask: a family able to feed itself, or a starving child in school? It is the question that passes through countless Western heads when they see small children hawking magazines at Indian traffic stops or serving chai at tea stalls.
Those with greater insight into the scourge of child labour, however, think differently.
Bhuwan Ribhu has rescued hundreds of child labourers from Delhi’s sweatshops and brothels. His stance is unremitting: child labour must be stamped out.
First, Mr Ribhu notes that most child workers make a pittance. The average wage of 35 children he rescued from a sweatshop this month was between 50 and 100 rupees — about 69p to £1.38 — a week, plus meals. This is not family-supporting employment, it is slavery. For the most part, children are employed because they are easily bullied and beaten, demand fewer rights than adults and can be paid next to nothing. There is no moral defence of an economy that rests on these conditions.
Second, Mr Ribhu believes that India has at least 60 million unemployed adults. Why, he asks, can they not take the place of their working children (especially if some of these children are earning enough to help to support a family)? Indeed, there is a provision in Indian law that says the roles occupied by child labourers must be offered to an adult member of their family — and another law that says that children must go to school.
Here, of course, lies the rub: India has reasonably good laws, but they are seldom enforced. Laws are a very good start — but if the country is to take its place as a true global power, it cannot afford to be weighed down by millions of uneducated young people.
The nation’s future depends on the laws being acted upon — now.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6875312.ece
60,000 people leave displacement camps in eastern DRC, about one million in need of humanitarian assistance
GOMA, DRC, 14 October 2009 – 60,000 people or ninety per cent of those living in six official displacement camps near Goma in North Kivu have returned home over the past few days. Around 1 million people remain displaced in the province and continue to require humanitarian assistance, including 91,000 people located in spontaneous displacement sites.
Since peace accords were signed in March 2009, over 160,000 people living with host families have spontaneously returned home in North Kivu according to the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The departure of so many people from the camps represents the continuation of a return process, which UNICEF has been supporting in recent months.
To be durable, it is vital that people’s return home is voluntary, secure and dignified. While the general situation has improved, many areas of return in North Kivu remain insecure. Hundreds of thousands of people face daily threats, uncertainty and hardship as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
Pierrette Vu Thi, UNICEF Representative for DRC said: “Children are particularly vulnerable to separation from their families, and women and girls are more exposed to sexual violence and exploitation during the return process”.
UNICEF’s partner NGO, Save the Children UK, has set up nine centres in return zones in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru in North Kivu to identify and reunify separated children with their families. Mobile teams are being deployed to monitor children that may get lost on the roads travelled by returning families.
Sexual violence is also a key risk. The local NGO Heal Africa, another UNICEF partner, has established ten counselling centres where girls and women who have been sexually assaulted can be received and referred to appropriate medical and psychological services.
To inform humanitarian actors about the needs of returnees, UNICEF’s partner, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has so far assessed the conditions of 70,000 families in return communities.
Once back home, the priorities of returnees include rebuilding their homes and starting to cultivate for the planting season. Since the beginning of the year, UNICEF and its partners, NRC and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), have provided over 138,000 returnees with essential household items and shelter materials to support their re-integration. In the next few days, 8,000 people returning to Masisi territory will receive family kits with water supplies.
With the recent start of the school-year, the rebuilding of classrooms and distribution of educational materials are imperative to ensure children’s access to education. UNICEF’s ‘Back to school campaign’ will provide 114,200 children and 2,290 teachers with school kits in the coming days in North Kivu.
Ongoing assistance is also required for those unable to return home, such as the sick and the elderly. UNICEF and its partners will continue to provide these people with health care, education, protection, and water and sanitation activities.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For further information, please contact:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51406.html
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