Mining – India 1
1. Cheap coal import plan in the works 1
2. Walking A Minefield 2
3. Illegal mining: Reddy may have to face imprisonment 4
4. Chief Conservator to probe OMC activities 7
Mining – International 8
5. No immediate plans to nationalise the mines - Motlanthe 8
6. Iamgold to proceed with African mine feasibility study 11
7. Mining stream buffer rule could be ready by 2011 12
8. Weatherly to Reopen Four Namibian Copper Mines, New Era Reports 13
9. Two bodies retrieved from mine 14
10. Copper mines to re-open - by Desie Heita 15
11. 500 children desert school to mine gold 16
Other News 17
12. Anand Sharma calls for diversification of new markets and integrated development of Leather Sector 17
13. Centre asks naxal-hit states to ensure jobs under NREGA 18
14. State wide Protest against violation of Forest Rights Act 2006 in Orissa 19
15. Prime Minister to open State Chief Ministers’ Conference tomorrow to discuss implementation of Forest Rights Act 21
Mining – India
Cheap coal import plan in the works
SRIKUMAR BONDYOPADHYAY
Growth focus
Calcutta, Nov. 2: Coal India is working on strategic tie-ups with overseas coal producers to import the dry fuel at rates less than the landed price. The country is expected to import 100 million tonnes of coal by 2013.
“Coal India Ltd (CIL) has invited expressions of interest from foreign producers for strategic partnerships to develop or expand production at mines located abroad and import that coal to India on a cost-plus price basis,” said Partha S. Bhattacharyya, chairman of Coal India Ltd.
“The proposed step-in price will be lower than the landed price of imported coal,” he said.
According to Bhattacharyya, a high demand in India will ensure an assured market for the foreign partners, while the domestic consumers will be protected against price fluctuations in international markets.
CIL has got applications from 58 companies, of which 39 are coal mining firms, with 12 of them being large global entities. Coal India is initially looking at four countries — Indonesia, Australia, Africa and the US. The US, in particular, is being tapped for its metallurgical and high-grade thermal coal.
The CIL board has also formed an empowered committee to shortlist the applicants and look into their proposals. “In the first phase, we have shortlisted 12 companies on the basis of a cut-off level of their production. We’ll consider other applicants in the second phase,” the CIL chairman said.
On how the strategic partnership will work, Bhattacharyya said CIL was open to all options, including equity participation. “CIL has a cash reserve of Rs 30,000 crore. Money is not a problem with us,” he said.
The empowered committee will start examining the proposals of the 12 shortlisted companies by the end of November. Presentation formats are being sent to the applicants now.
At present, Eastern Coalfields Ltd, a CIL subsidiary, sells its grade A and B category coal (with high gross calorific value) to consumers such as the DVC at an “import parity” price, which is 15 per cent less than the landed price of imported coal.
“Under the strategic tie-up, we would like to peg the coal price at that level,” Bhattacharyya said.
Divestment drill
CIL is likely to appoint a merchant banker soon to advise it on its proposed disvestment, according to PTI. The government may offload a maximum 10 per cent of its stake in the state-run firm. At present, CIL is 100 per cent owned by the government.
“Coal India may appoint a merchant banker soon to advise it on the proposed divestment,” a top coal ministry official said.
The coal major had recently held meetings with two such bankers, who made their presentations. The official clarified that it should not be confused with the investment banker, who was to be appointed after the divestment process starts.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091103/jsp/business/story_11692642.jsp
Walking A Minefield
3 November 2009, 12:08am IST
Print
Email
Discuss Bookmark/Share
Save
Comment
Text Size: |
The crisis in Karnataka could not have come at a worse time for the BJP. The party lost a string of assembly elections recently and there is no
sign of an end to its leadership crisis. Dissidence within the party has become a serious threat to the stability of the Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka, the only state in southern India with a BJP government. The weak central leadership seems unable to enforce discipline on party MLAs.
At the root of the political crisis in Karnataka is the growing influence of the mining barons from the Bellary region over the BJP. These powerful local satraps were credited with the party's success in the 2008 assembly elections. They helped several party candidates win and convinced many independents to prop up the BJP government. With chief minister Yeddyurappa falling out with the Bellary leaders, the crisis was only expected. The CM's camp has accused other faction leaders, prominent among them senior party MP from the state Ananth Kumar, of extending support to the dissidents and furthering the crisis. The BJP central leadership has so far refused to discuss a change of leadership in Bangalore, but the Bellary leaders have the resources to make as well as break the government. The Yeddyurappa government has a thin majority and can't afford a split in its ranks.
The Bellary leaders - three brothers and a family friend - are first-generation entrepreneurs who made money from mines and moved into politics. Their business interests are spread over Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and among their patrons is the YSR family. The declared assets of these leaders run into millions of rupees and the speed at which these have multiplied is eye-popping even by the murky standards of Indian politics. This is of course a national phenomenon. Money has far outstripped ideology and activism as the essential ingredients to build a political party and win public office, which can only weaken parliamentary democracy.
There is a lesson in the BJP's predicament for both the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), the other two players in Karnataka politics. Giving undue prominence to leaders who have parachuted into politics to further business interests is likely to backfire on political parties. The Bellary leaders are reportedly keen to talk to the Congress if the BJP leadership doesn't meet their demands. Opponents of the BJP may find toppling the Yeddyurappa government appealing but the cost of supping with the rebels is likely to be enormous, as the BJP is currently discovering. Any concession made to the rebels is likely to weaken the BJP in the state and erode the credibility of the party's central leadership.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Walking-A-Minefield/articleshow/5189819.cms
Illegal mining: Reddy may have to face imprisonment
________________________________________
Print article | E-mail article | Post comment | View comments
Bangalore, Nov 3: Kallol Biswas, Divisional Forest Officer, Anantpur has been holding the post for the last three years,served a letter regarding the illegal activities of Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) and Ananatpur Mining Company (AMC) owned by Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy in May this year.
Kallol Biswas, Divisional Forest Officer, Anantpur has been holding the post for the last three years.
Strangely he served a letter regarding the illegal activities of Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC) and Ananatpur Mining Company (AMC) owned by Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy in May this year. But from October 26 to November 1, the officer has served five notices.
When Deccan Herald contacted him, the officer said he happened to observe 'illegal' activities in the leased mining areas of the two companies touching its ‘peak’ in the last one-and-half months. Hence, he had to inspect the mining areas to take stock of the situation.
Asked whether there is political pressure on him to come down heavily on the companies, especially after the demise Y S Rajashekar Reddy, who was close to the Reddys of Bellary, the officer replied in the negative. A letter seeking clarification on laying of illegal roads was sent by him to Reddy in May this year, the officer pointed out.
The DFO said that OMC and AMC have been into a lot of irregularities which include illegal mining, illegal road construction, destroying boundary pillars between the two states as well as mining lease area boundaries. “All sorts of illegal activities and violation of rules are happening in the reserve forest spread across the two states. We need to act,” he added.
To a question whether he had to crack down on the company fearing a notice from the Centre or Supreme Court, Biswas said he has nothing to prove to anyone. “The Central empowered committee was constituted by the Supreme Court 15 years ago and it is looking into various aspects of the Forest Conservation Act. The members will do their assessment on their own. Even the Survey of India conducts survey. Illegal mining or any sorts of activities will be exposed one day or the other. I will be sending my report to my HoD. My boss is well aware of the work I am doing,” he added.
To a query as to why other companies mining in the same area have no objection to Reddy, Biswas said, “Others are not as powerful as Reddy. OMC's neighbouring mining area lease is held by Bellary Iron Ores Pvt Ltd headed by Sunil Kumar Modi. He has been in this business for the last 40 years. When OMC trespassed into BIOP area extensively, Modi lodged a complaint with me. So I began the investigation,” he added.
Armed goondas
He also said that he has served notice on BIOP and Y Mahabaleshwarappa & Sons mining company which have violated certain rules. “When I was driven out by armed goondas hired by OMC during my visit to the mining areas, imagine the plight of minor mining companies,” he said.
Asked whether he would be taking action against Reddy for various offenses he has reportedly committed, the officer said, “For constructing road illegally in 6.5 acres of leased area, Reddy will have to pay Rs 1000 crore as penalty. Because he has excavated Rs 200 crore worth ore illegally, penalty is five times worth the ore extracted. Destroying boundary pillars is a non-bailable offence for which he has to face imprisonment for six months. But a lot of procedure is required to be fulfiled before taking action. He is after all a minister in Karnataka. We need to take the permission of the authority concerned in Karnataka,” he added.
Five notices served, still no reply
Divisional Forest Officer of Anantapur Kallol Biswas has so far served five notices on two companies - Obalapura Mining Company (OMC) and Ananthpura Mining Company (AMC) owned by the Reddy family. Here are contents of the notices served so far.
The owners of the company, mainly Minister Janardhana Reddy, are yet to reply to the notice.
1 Oct 26: Illegal road
The company laid road illegally in the reserve forest area to transport iron ore from the mining lease area of 68.5 ha. The road is laid from Gavisiddeswara Temple towards the mining lease area. The notice says the road is laid in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act and conditions imposed by GoI. The company was given seven day’s time to show cause why the mining operations in the leased area should not be stopped.
2 Oct 28: Uprooting mining boundary pillars
The DFO served a notice on the OMC stating that the company had uprooted village boundary pillars designated as survey station no: 4 and lease boundary pillar: 6 located between Siddapuram and Obalapuram villages. The company has a mining lease area of 25.98 ha in the area.
The violation was noticed during a survey conducted to fix up the boundary between the two villages. The survey was conducted by State High Level Committee appointed by Andhra Pradesh government. The company has also destroyed all flagged iron rods pegged at regular intervals along the village boundary.
With this the company had conducted mining in the area belonged to M/S Bellary Iron Ore (P) Limited. It states that the company has done illegal mining. The company was given three day’s time to reply.
3 Oct 28: Laying road by destroying boundary pillars
The notice says that OMC has laid a road between survey stations 1&2 by destroying inter-state (Karnataka-AP) boundary pillars.
The company laid the road with an intention to transport iron ore from the company’s mining lease areas in AP to Karnataka.
The action is in violation of conditions imposed by Ministry of Environment and Forestry and other statutory agencies. The company was given three day’s time to reply.
4 Oct 30: Mining without permit
The notice is served to Ananthapura Mining Corporation, also owned by the Reddys, in connection with conducting mining operations in mining lease area of 6.5 ha in Bellary reserve forest area without getting consent from Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board. The company has not even taken permission from the Forest Department to carry out the mining operations. The company transported 12 lakh tonnes of iron ore lumps and fines between December 2008 and October 2009, without the clearances from the department.
5 Nov 1: Illegal mining in Karnataka
The DFO has served the notice stating that the OMC has been extracting ore illegally in Karnataka and transporting the same through unauthorised roads, laid by the company, to Andhra Pradesh.
The forest sub-division of Penugonda of Andhra Pradesh conducted a survey on October 22 to find out illegal activities by mining companies in Bellary reserve forest bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. DFO Kallol Biswas says that during the survey it was noticed that OMC encroached the area leased to Bellary Mining Ores Company in about 0.225 ha which has very high grade iron deposits. Nearly 2.5 lakh tons of ore were extracted by digging 30 m deep over a period of 12 to 14 days from October second week. The ore has already been exported.
He said that the survey has been conducted very methodically and no one can tamper with the map. It has been prepared to establish the fact that illegal mining is rampant.
DHNS
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=153310
Chief Conservator to probe OMC activities
Express News Service
First Published : 03 Nov 2009 03:41:00 AM IST
ANANTAPUR: The illegal mining issue in Obulapuram area is taking new twists and turns with both Bellary Mining Company (BMC) and Obulapuram Mining Corporation (OMC) owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy trading charges of illegal mining against each other and on the OMC’s demand the Government shifted DFO Kallol Biswas as inquiry officer.
The DFO, himself camped in Anantapur, met DIG BL Sujatha Rao and alleged that district SP MK Singh behaved in a partisan manner. Biswas also took strong objection to the D Hirehall mandal police registering a SC/ST atrocities case against him, despite the fact that he himself was an SC.
On a day of quick developments, the State Government appointed Chief Conservator of Forests P Mallikarjuna Rao to survey the mines of OMC and probe its alleged illegal mining activities. DFO Kallol Biswas on October 30 had served a show cause notice on the OMC stating that it had mined crores of iron ore illegally and wanted an explanation within three days. The OMC instead of sending a reply to him, had forwaded their explanation to higherups in the Forest Department.
The OMC also in its letter had urged the Government to appoint a senior officer to probe the matter and said they were not against any inquiry.
However, the OMC did not file any reply on the show cause notice served on the illegal mining of Anantapur Mining Company, a subsidary of the OMC.
Meanwhile, Biswas met DIG Sujatha Rao alleging that the district SP MK Singh and the local police were acting in a partisan way.
When he was chased by the OMC goons, he lodged a complaint with the SP over phone, Biswas said but he was asked by MK Singh to file the complaint in writing. When he tried to meet the SP the same night he did not get an audience, Biswas told the DIG. The DFO was also surpised that a case of SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act was booked against him by the police who did not know that he himself was an SC. DIG Sujatha Rao, reportedly, took the SP to task.
Meanwhile, Speaking to TNIE over phone, BMC CMD SK Mody said that based on their petition the Supreme Court had ordered for resurvey in Obulapuram area and wanted clear demarcation of the borders. ``In fact we have requested the apex court to conduct a survey on our mines. There is no truth in the charges that we have paid bribes to DFO Biswas,’’ he said.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Chief+Conservator+to+probe+OMC+activities&artid=m5R62H0j2JM=&SectionID=e7uPP4|pSiw=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EH8HilNJ2uYAot5nzqumeA==&SEO=
Mining – International
No immediate plans to nationalise the mines - Motlanthe
Kgalema Motlanthe
03 November 2009
Deputy President says calls stem from industry's failure to transform itself sufficiently
Address by the Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe, at the Chamber of Mines of South Africa AGM dinner, Johannesburg Country Club, November 2 2009
Programme director;
Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu;
President of National Union of Mineworkers, Mr. Senzeni Zokwane;
President of the Chamber of Mines, Mr. Sipho Nkosi;
Distinguished Members of the Chamber;
Guests, ladies and gentlemen:
As you all know, mining is dear to my heart. I spent many years in the National Union of Mineworkers, including as General Secretary. So I have met the Chamber many times over the years, sometimes in a friendly atmosphere and sometimes in not so friendly circumstances. In all our encounters, however, it has been common cause that the mining industry has a central role to play in forging a better life for all South Africans.
Our challenge is that mining plays a dual role in our society. For over a century, the industry has been central to our development in both the good and the bad. It was the bedrock of industrialisation and growth, and still contributes over half of our exports.
But it was also, undeniably, an architect of the apartheid system centred on migrant labour. There began what continues to haunt our country and the region: breaking of African families as men left their homes to live in hostels, apartheid spatial planning which skewered resource allocation to town councils serving rand-lords and complete neglect of social and economic amenities required in African communities.
The question we now face together is how to build on the best in the industry - our world-class expertise, competitive technologies and rich natural resources - to overcome our troubled legacy and establish a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable economy. As government, we see the creation of decent work opportunities as the central path to this end. The question is: how can the mining industry do more to help us in this crucial process?
Programme Director,
The Chamber has a critical leadership role to play in helping its constituency, and indeed the mining industry as a whole, to be more responsive and sensitive to the challenges of our times.
South Africa is now in its second decade as a democratic State which endorses and upholds the principles of private enterprise within a free-market system.
When the people of South Africa bestowed upon us the mandate to govern this country in 1994, we had some understanding of the depth of the structural reforms and the transformation we would have to undertake in order for us to adequately deliver on this mandate.
Our mandate simply required us to create a better life for all by, among others, restoring the dignity of the majority of South Africans that was eroded by years of degradation and oppression, moving away from the oppressive labour regime that had underpinned employment relationships under the apartheid rule, building a sustainable and competitive economy and generally creating conditions in which the wealth of our country could be equally shared and exploited by all of our people.
Fulfilling this mandate has required extensive changes in the legal framework and regulations affecting the industry. Our challenge is to ensure that transformation to benefit the majority of our people goes hand in hand with measures to strengthen the mining value chain.
Ladies and Gentleman,
These policy interventions embody commitments that have been, after extensive consultations and discussions, accepted by all stakeholders in this industry as a vehicle to help us effect a decisive break with our past.
It is therefore appropriate that we pause and reflect on these commitments. This will help us to redefine our role in the next 120 years of the industry.
While there are a number of achievements that we should be proud of as an industry, there are challenges that still lie ahead of us.
As always, a particular challenge remains improving health and safety. We need to curb the fatalities and injuries that have characterised our mining industry for more than hundred years.
I am confident that over time more investment in the relevant technologies coupled with training and appropriate monitoring will minimise accidents and thereby prevent loss of human life as far as possible.
We must also recognise the emergence of HIV/AIDS and the persistence of TB and other communicable diseases as a particular problem for the mining industry. We see the Chamber as an important partner in the fight against this scourge.
Addressing these challenges will help the mining industry to deal with the accusation that it prioritises profits over the health and safety of the workers.
More recently we have had to deal with the international economic crisis, which has seen a sharp fall in most commodity prices and only limited recovery so far. Although South Africa has weathered the global financial storm so far, our mining, particularly the diamond and platinum sectors, has been under tremendous pressure.
We are very concerned about the impact of these trends not only on our companies, but also on workers. In the past year, the mining industry has lost thousands of jobs -some 7% of its total employment, according to the Labour Force Survey.
These job losses have imposed huge costs on some of the poorest households and communities in our country, We are grateful to organised business for working with us to limit retrenchments, but much more needs to be done.
Ladies and gentlemen,
For quite some time now, there have been concerns that the industry has not transformed as quickly or sufficiently as it could. It is these concerns that have fuelled a call for nationalisation of mines from some quarters of our society.
Whilst this healthy debate continues, the sector should take comfort in knowing that there are no immediate plans from the state to nationalise the mines. Public discourse should be separated from public policy. The latter is an outcome of extensive multi-sectoral consultation within ANC-led government.
However, we do need to expedite the transformation of our industry. That transformation cannot be limited to changing the nature of ownership, but must enhance the contribution of the industry to development, the creation of decent work opportunities and sustainable growth.
I am told that the Department of Mineral Resources is finalising its assessment of the progress that has been made in achieving the objectives of the Mining Charter, as agreed upon by the industry stakeholders when the Charter came into effect in 2004.
I urge you all to cooperate in this exercise so that we can enrich our discourse on transformation. We as government are committed to broad and meaningful consultation with all our stakeholders. We need to ensure that the implementation of the Charter benefits, above all, our communities and workers and our economy as a whole.
A particular concern around transformation is to ensure the mining industry contributes to diversification and growth of our economy.
To enhance the value of exports, localise imports and create sustainable jobs, government has developed a beneficiation strategy which seeks to encourage the mining industry to facilitate downstream minerals beneficiation.
This is necessary to facilitate economic diversification, expedite progress towards a knowledge-based economy, achieve incremental GDP growth in mineral value addition and create opportunities for enterprise development and skills development.
Our core concern is to explore how we can together support final fabrication of metals, rather than focusing on smelting and refining. That kind of activity may seem beyond the competency of the mining companies. Still, it is important that we collaborate in achieving our aim of industrialisation as far as possible.
Beneficiation presents numerous opportunities for investment in the country by both South African and foreign investors. We look to the Chamber to help us realise the opportunities that arise from adding value to our rich natural resources.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A credit to the industry, and the Chamber as its voice, is the high level of cooperation and trust that it maintains with its stakeholders. We appreciate the efforts made to ensure meaningful transformation.
Our people have high expectation on the mining industry to maintain and expand its socio-economic development in the country and the region.
In meeting this demand the Chamber will need to persist in its commitment to the inevitable processes of change that are so critical to recognise and respond to. You must be the brains-trust and provide intellectual leadership.
For its part, government also recognises that the success of the next 120 years of the industry can be greatly facilitated through creating the environment that enables the industry to perform optimally and perpetuate its established role as a creator of jobs and a generator of wealth. We will in particular prioritise our public investment programme that aims to ensure sufficient infrastructure as well as skills development.
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71656?oid=149475&sn=Detail
Iamgold to proceed with African mine feasibility study
Mon Nov 2, 2009 9:38am EST
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
* To proceed with feasibility study at Sadiola Gold mine
* To buy IFC's 6 pct stake in Sadiola for $12 mln
Nov 2 (Reuters) - Canadian precious metals miner Iamgold Corp (IMG.TO) said it received an approval to proceed with the $9 million feasibility study at Sadiola Gold mine in Mali, West Africa.
Iamgold said it received approval from Societe D'Exploitation Des Mines D'Or De Sadiola (Semos), owner of the mine.
Iamgold also said it signed a tentative deal to buy International Finance Corp's (IFC) 6 percent stake in Sadiola for $12 million.
The pre-feasibility study projects gold production at Sadiola of between 400,000 and 500,000 ounces per year with an end of mine life in 2019, increasing the total production by about 2.2 million ounces beyond the current mine plan.
Shares of Toronto-based Iamgold were up 16 Canadian cents at C$14.51 Monday morning on the Toronto Stock Exchange. (Reporting by R. Manikandan in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel)
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSBNG41424720091102
Mining stream buffer rule could be ready by 2011
By TIM HUBER (AP) – 12 hours ago
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Obama administration says reversing a last-minute Bush-era surface mining regulation criticized as too friendly to coal companies is going to take at least another year.
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement plans to start the process of replacing the regulation by mid-November and hopes to complete the job by early 2011, acting director Glenda Owens said in a court filing. The document popped up in a lawsuit aimed at overturning the Bush administration's stream buffer regulation, which was approved shortly before Obama took office.
The regulation rewrote rules adopted in 1983 by the Reagan administration that barred mining companies from dumping material removed from surface operations within 100 feet of streams if the disposal harmed water quality or quantity.
Instead, the revisions required mine operators to keep debris piles as small as possible, but allows them to skirt the buffer requirement if compliance is determined to be impossible.
Disagreement over the regulation is at the heart of the ongoing fight over mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia, Kentucky and other parts of Appalachia.
Coal companies say the practice of blasting and scraping away ridges to expose multiple coal seams provides cheap electricity for millions and supports thousands of high-paying jobs. Environmental groups and other opponents contend the regulation allows coal companies to bury streams rather than buffer them.
And they argue that the Interior Department isn't acting quickly enough.
"The Department of the Interior is spinning its wheels," the Sierra Club's Mary Anne Hitt said in a statement. "Appalachia's mountains, streams and communities continue to be destroyed."
In West Virginia, Coal River Mountain Watch said the Interior Department is reluctant to address mountaintop mining.
"Fixing the stream buffer zone rule remains a key component in the complex effort to end mountaintop removal coal mining," Lorelei Scarboro said in a statement.
The National Mining Association, on the other hand, criticized the Sierra Club.
"The Sierra Club is essentially demanding the government dictate policy and dispense entirely with public comment on a rule that would have far-reaching economic implications," NMA spokesman Luke Popovich said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Kendra Barkoff, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's press secretary, said the department is going to develop a sound rule following the process laid out by the law and based on science and public input.
"Secretary Salazar is not going to take shortcuts," Barkoff said in a statement. "That rulemaking process does take some time, but we are moving forward as expeditiously as possible."
Under Obama, OSM has agreed with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to work more closely on reviewing surface coal mining permits in the East. At issue is mountaintop mining's effect on water quality and the environment. The new administration also has begun cracking down on the practice. For instance, the EPA recently decided to delay approval of 79 coal mine permits in the region to allow for additional scrutiny. Coal mines in the West and Midwest have not been targeted for the same scrutiny.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilNqXcMDBLf-ayRrvcQm9sSC04hgD9BNLLPO2
Weatherly to Reopen Four Namibian Copper Mines, New Era Reports
Share Business ExchangeTwitterFacebook| Email | Print | A A A
By Chamwe Kaira
Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Weatherly International Plc, which closed its four copper mines in Namibia late last year because of low prices, plans to reopen the mines after prices recovered, New Era newspaper reported, citing country manager, Hans Nolte.
Weatherly Namibia is conducting feasibility studies to ensure that when the mines open again, they are less susceptible to price changes, Nolte told the newspaper. The company is also looking for 60 million Namibian dollars to expand its smelter, which didn’t close and relies on imported copper concentrates, Nolte said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Chamwe Kaira in Windhoek via Johannesburg on pmrichardson@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: November 3, 2009 02:15 EST
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aVrL4VMwUQq8
Two bodies retrieved from mine
WORKPLACE DEATHS: The chances of a third man being found alive are slim, rescuers say
By SYLVAIN PARADIS AND LOUIS LAVOIE, QMI AGENCY
Last Updated: 3rd November 2009, 3:56am
• Email Story
• Print
• Size A A A
• Report Typo
• Share:
o Facebook
o Digg
o Del.icio.us
o Google
o Stumble Upon
o Newsvine
o Reddit
o Technorati
o Feed Me
o Yahoo
o Simpy
o Squidoo
o Spurl
o Blogmarks
o Netvouz
o Scuttle
o Sitejot
+
DESMARAISVILLE, QUE. -- The bodies of two men were recovered from a flooded gold mine yesterday, leaving one of three Quebec miners still missing.
Officials at the Bachelor mine, located northwest of Quebec City, last night said the bodies of Dominico Bollini, 44, a father of two, and Bruno Goulet, 36, were recovered. Still missing was 31-year old Marc Guay.
The men entered the mine to do repair work at about 11:30 p.m. Friday. They were believed to be between the 11th and 12th levels of the mine, nearly 500 metres below the surface. After receiving no word from the miners, the elevator returned to the surface empty and it became clear the mine had flooded for as-yet unknown reasons.
The rescue efforts began immediately, with pumping equipment brought in from other mines in an attempt to find the men. Mine officials said the huge volume of water -- equivalent to a small lake --made the operation more difficult than expected.
The pumping continued through yesterday, although rescue workers said it was increasingly unlikely the miners would be found alive. All three men were fathers with a total of five children.
The tragedy in Desmaraisville comes as the Quebec mining industry finishes its best year in terms of fatal accidents or injuries. According to the Association miniere du Quebec, which represents the province's mining industry, the province has seen eight consecutive years of improvement to mine health and security.
"The accident rate is down by 75% over the past 20 years," said the association's Andre Lavoie, who said 2009 had only seen one fatal accident until yesterday.
Most of Quebec's mining operations are located in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Nord-du-Quebec regions.
http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2009/11/03/11613296-sun.html
Copper mines to re-open - by Desie Heita
03 November 2009
TSUMEB – If a cat has nine lives – as the saying goes – then Tsumeb is meant to live forever.
Weatherly Mining, which sent chills down the spines of residents by suspending mining operations late last year, wants to develop a new open pit copper mine around Tsumeb within the next three years.
But first, Weatherly Namibia says, is the re-opening of the four copper mines that were put under care and maintenance late last year.
In addition, the mining company says up its sleeve are massive expansion plans for both the smelter company and the mining operations.
“Weatherly is here to stay, to assist the Tsumeb community and to stimulate growth in the Oshikoto Region,” says Weatherly Country Manager, Hans Nolte.
Last December, Weatherly put its four mines of Tschudi, Otjihase, Matchless and Tsumeb West under care and maintenance, citing a decrease in international copper prices. About 600 workers lost their jobs as a result.
Copper prices have since bounced back from the then low levels of about US$3 000 per tonne to just above US$6 000 per tonne, as of last week.
Nolte says the smelter, which Weatherly did not close, was kept in operation under difficult conditions, especially that they had to find alternative suppliers of copper concentrates to keep the smelter running. However, the smelter is now facing “massive expansion programmes requiring more than N$60 million”.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Bernhard Esau, was elated to hear about the new development.
“The prospects of Tsumeb mines re-opening would ensure a certain level of job opportunities to residents and the wider Namibian nation,” said Esau.
Weatherly International that owns Weatherly copper mines has also sold 50.1 percent of its shares to East China Exploration Company, a state-owned Chinese company.
Nolte says the sale would increase the asset base of Weatherly International and provide cash to restart the mines, complete the smelter expansion as well as to start a proper exploration programme in the Tsumeb area.
“Tschudi deposit, which is on the doorstep of Tsumeb shows huge potential to be developed into an open pit mine during the next two to three years. This again would give Tsumeb a financial boost and will stimulate growth,” says Nolte.
Weatherly Namibia is currently conducting detailed feasibility studies to ensure that when the mines open again, they are run on better profit margins than previously and are less vulnerable to metal price fluctuations.
Namibia Customs Smelter, which is Weatherly Namibia’s subsidiary responsible for the smelter operations, has successfully commissioned the Ausmelt furnace and is in the process to complete the construction of a N$120-million oxygen plant that becomes operational early next year. This expansion would double the smelter throughput.
To ensure improved emissions at the smelter, Namibia Customs Smelter is constructing an environmental friendly waste disposal site, which would take care of the waste products. The construction would stimulate Tsumeb’s economy, as it would be given to local contractors.
In September, Weatherly International signed a letter of intent to sell more than half of its shares to East China Mineral Exploration and Development Bureau for about N$199 million (or 16 million British pounds).
The Chinese company already has a footprint in Namibia, with seven Exclusive Prospecting Licences in pending stages for base and rare metals, industrial minerals and precious metals in the districts of Khorixas, Tsumeb, Opuwo, and Outjo.
The EPLs are held through Namibia Non-Ferrous East China Minerals Exploration and Development (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of East China Minerals Exploration and Development Bureau.
http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=8001
500 children desert school to mine gold
Monday, 2nd November, 2009
E-mail article
Print article
By Egessa Hajusu
Parents in Tiira parish in Busitema sub-county, Busia district have withdrawn over 500 of their children from school to work in gold mines. Busitema sub-county LC3 chairperson Tom Etaru Ekisa told The New Vision in an interview recently that the children, both in primary and secondary school, were employed in the Tiira gold fields.
He said the miners employ school children with the consent of their parents, adding that this was the reason parents had not reported the cases to the authorities.
Ekisa explained that the food shortage, which hit the area since the beginning of this year, had prompted parents to allow their children to work to get money for food and other household items.
Etaru said one member of Tiira Primary School Parents-Teachers Association, who attempted to caution parents over the issue got strong protests. “The children are paid sh800 for each basin of gold stones pounded into powder,” Etaru said, adding that if the situation was allowed to continue, education in the sub-county would be affected.
Gold mining is popular in Tiira, Nakola, Angarama, Aboloyi and Akobwaiti villages in Tiira parish. As a measure against the practice, he said, the sub-county had passed a fine of sh50,000 for parents whose children will be found working in the mines.
According to the headteachers of the schools The New Vision visited, enrolment has gone down. Bushenyi, Kanungu, Kyenjojo and Kotido, are some of the other districts involved in gold mining.
The Government officially launched the gold mining industry in Uganda in November 2002, with pioneer projects in Bushenyi district.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/17/699854
Other News
Anand Sharma calls for diversification of new markets and integrated development of Leather Sector
________________________________________
15:41 IST
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, while meeting a delegation from Footwear design & Development Institute (FDDI), led by Sri Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, here today, said that it would be imperative to diversify into new markets while carving out a greater niche into existing markets and added that the leather industry has to focus more on higher unit value realization in line with the creation of an India brand consciousness. While appreciating the performance of FDDI, Shri Sharma emphasized that the institutes providing technical training are crucial not only for the growth of the industry but also for providing employment opportunities and expressed confidence that FDDI would fulfill this responsibility. During the meeting, a presentation was made by FDDI about their performance details and new initiatives to compete global challenges.
The Minister underlined that the government is committed towards the integrated development of Leather sector, which has tremendous potential for growth and high impact on social equity. “To give thrust to the sector an allocation of Rs. 1300 crore has been made for the leather sector during the XI Plan. Our various programmes, interventions and trade policies are targeted towards the sustainable development of the Leather industry”, the Minister added.
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has initiated a major initiative during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) under “Indian Leather Development Programme” (ILDP) with an outlay of Rs. 1300 crore for overall development of the leather sector by augmenting raw material base, enhancing capacity, addressing environmental concerns, human resource development, infrastructure development, attracting investment and global marketing of Indian Leather. Sub-schemes with an outlay of Rs. 1237.52 crores under ILDP have been approved and are at various stages of implementation.
For addressing the issue of shortage of manpower for the leather industry, human resource development programmes has been identified as an important initiative during the 11th Five Year Plan period and the Central Government has approved sub-schemes with outlay of Rs. 442.09 crores under ILDP out of total approved outlay of Rs. 1237.52 crores (approximately 36% of the total approved outlay) for this purpose. FDDI has been awarded certifications and accreditations from some of the most reputed organizations such as ISO 9001, ISO14001, and ISO 17025 etc. In the process of bridging the critical gap in infrastructure and the qualitative human resource requirement in the Industry, DIPP has sanctioned the establishment of three full fledged campuses at Tamilnadu, West Bengal and Haryana and one training centre at Chhindwara, MP during the XI Plan.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53791
Centre asks naxal-hit states to ensure jobs under NREGA
________________________________________
• AdvertisemenSTAFF WRITER 17:44 HRS IST
New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) Aiming at countering extremism at grass-root level, the Centre has asked states to ensure that 100 days of employment is provided to all eligible rural households under NREGA in districts affected by the left-wing extremism.
In an advisory to the states, Ministry of Rural Development has also asked them to take effective measures to ensure that rural households receive their "due entitlement" under the Act in the districts facing drought.
"In a recent review of the implementation of NREGA in drought-affected and 33 left-wing extremism-affected districts, it has been found that a large number of rural households have not yet availed of 100 days of employment under NREGA," Ministry noted.
"It is imperative to intensify efforts to ensure that the rural households (in naxal-affected and drought-hit districts) receive their due entitlements in accordance with the Act," it added.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/358666_Centre-asks-naxal-hit-states-to-ensure-jobs-under-NREGA
State wide Protest against violation of Forest Rights Act 2006 in Orissa
Monday, November 02, 2009
Email Story
Feedback
Print Story
Bhubaneswar: Raising the concerns over the violation of Forest Right Act implementation in Orissa, the members of the CSD (Campaign for Survival and Dignity), Orissa today dated 2nd November 2009 organized a State Level Press meet at Red Cross Bhawan at 2 p.m. CSD (Campaign for Survival and Dignity), Orissa is a coalition of grassroots and tribal organizations across Orissa and is one of the major forces behind the passage of the ever historic Forest Rights Act,2006 in India, is currently working to ensure that the letter and spirit of this law is implemented. Forest dwellers from different districts including Pradip Prabhu (National convener, CSD) and Gopinath Majhi, (State Convener CSD) along with important members and personalities addressed the media. Welcoming the representatives of the media, the state Convenor, Gopinath Mahji shared the objective of the Press Conference. He said that the objective of the today's Press meet is to challenge the Govt. of Orissa over the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the State. He said that the Tribal Ministry, Govt. of India has called a meeting in Delhi of all State Chief Ministers, Forest Ministers and Tribal Ministers on November 4th, 5th and 6th to review the implementation of FRA. He also informed that even he Govt. of Orissa has convened a meeting on 30th October, 2009 and has reported that till date, out of the 3,04,509 individual claims filed at the Gram sabha level, only 55, 000 individual forest land pattas have been distributed and that only to the ST forest dwellers and the claims of the Other Traditional Forest Dwellers have not been considered. Beside, there is a vast gap of the amount of land being occupied and claimed by the forest dwellers and the pattas which have been distributed to them. He also said that whatever pattas have bee distributed mostly belong to the revenue forest category and claims in the other forest categories i.e as reserved forest, Proposed reserved forest and sanctuary have not been covered.
The National Convener, CSD Pradeep Prabhu addressing the media informed that while the Forest Rights Act gives to the forest dwellers rights over the forest recognizing their community forest resources including community forest rights i.e grazing, MFP collection, rights over water bodies and nistar rights etc. the Govt. of India and also Govt. of all the states including Orissa is just taking the Forest Rights Act as forest land distribution scheme and not considering the larger community forest rights. He also informed that while forest rights Act, 2006 totally disregard the current forest protection and management system through JFM(VSS) in which Forest Department play a divisive role in the village community and the Act is very clearly empowered the Gram Sabha/ village community to protect their forest, wildlife and biodiversity and have provision to form Forest Protection Committees at the Gram sabha level, the Govt. of Orissa is violating the constitutional rights for the forest dwellers by not banning the JFM/VSS and by not recognizing the community forest rights. Beside, the forest department which has been the hurdle of the forest dwellers still evicting the forest dwellers through its plantation programme under different foreign based projects like JBIC, OTELP, FDA, Compensatory Plantation etc. He also said that in these forestry programmes many NGOs at different level involved and are diluting the spirit of the forest rights Act with the Government.
The state convener, Gopinath Majhi also informed the media that the CSD, Orissa is going to stage Protest Rally tomorrow dated 3rd November at Lower PMG of the State Capital raisingng all above concerns including the update problems identified during the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the State. i.e
1. The SDLC did not undertake any training/awareness/distribution of forms.
2. As the SDLC did not provided training s to the FRCs members and it decided over the claims avoiding the decision of the Gram Sabha. SDLC/DLC did not intimate claimants about their decisions. Rejected claimants not intimated about the rejection and reasons for rejection to enable them to appeal against the decision.
3. The PRI representatives in the SDLC/DLC are ignored by the Govt. in the process of implementation.
4. Forms for community forest rights/CFRs not given/not filled/not verified.
5. Despite the FRC intimating the forest department about field verification, forest officials did not come. Illegal eviction of forest land occupants before their claims have been considered
6. Official records/documents for use as evidence not provided when requested.
7. Harassment/punishment of those collecting MFPs. Not handing over the ownership rights to the community over KL/Bamboo (Sunabeda Sanctuary)
8. Diversion of forest land for mining and other projects without recognition of forest rights and consent of Gram sabha.
9. PTG rights to community tenure over their habitat and seasonal rights of nomadic/pastoral communities totally ignored.
http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=15199
Prime Minister to open State Chief Ministers’ Conference tomorrow to discuss implementation of Forest Rights Act
________________________________________
11:39 IST
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will address the Conference of the Chief Ministers, State Ministers (Tribal Development & Social Welfare Department) and State Ministers (Forests) which is being organised here tomorrow by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to review the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and major Tribal Development programmes.
Several States having sizeable tribal population will make their presentations in the Conference on the status of the implementation of the Forest Rights Act during the current year. They will also dwell upon the strategies being adopted by them for distributing titles by December, 2009, the target set before all by the President of India in her speech to joint Houses of Parliament in June, 2009.
The States have also been asked to make presentations on planned interventions using Central and States Funds under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), convergence with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and other schemes and programmes being run by the Union line Ministries like Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Environment & Forest and Water Resources, etc.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53780
No comments:
Post a Comment