17-04-09

Mining – India 1
1. Vedanta leads the race for Zambian copper mine 1
2. ArcelorMittal's Orissa, Jharkhand steel projects delayed by two years 2
3. Mercator to sharpen focus on dredging, coal mining 2
4. Coal Production Starts from Jharkhand Mins by NTPC This Year 4
5. Nalco raid spurs alert 5
6. GOAMAP manifesto to rescue state for mining 5
7. RKKR Steel plans to double capacity of AP plant 6
8. Indian steel mills better placed for expansion - Mr Rastogi 7
Mining – International 8
9. In Virginia's glowing hills 8
10. EXCLUSIVE - Bhatia, Vitol in $50 mln coal dispute 9
11. Farmers gang up to fight mines 10
12. EPA And Surface Coal Mining Permits 12
13. Merchant miners bag most of iron ore leases 14
14. Mine water licensing 'inconsistent' 15
15. Construction Starts on Major Mozambican Mining Project 16
Other News – India 18
16. Tiger Reserves of India 18
17. Land acquisition issue revived ahead of polls 20
18. Manifestos of political parties have ignored children, says World Vision 21
19. CRY manifesto asks people to vote for child rights 23
20. We must protect communities who face climate change displacement 24

Mining – India

Vedanta leads the race for Zambian copper mine
17 Apr 2009, 0205 hrs IST, Kausik Datta, ET Bureau

MUMBAI: Metal czar Anil Agarwal-promoted Vedanta Resources is leading the race for Zambia’s Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM). The LSE-listed Vedanta




Resources, promoter of India’s leading copper supplier Sterlite Industries, submitted its bid on Wednesday.

Although the exact bid size could not be ascertained, a person familiar with the development said the Zambian government, which has put LCM on the block, expects an enterprise value of at least $230 million from the sale.

Vedanta, which owns Zambia’s largest copper producer Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), is pitted against China’s Non-Ferrous Copper Mine (NFC). The other contenders include UK’s Lion Finance and South Africa’s Shanduka Group, said the same person. However, a Vedanta Resources spokesperson declined to comment.

An investment banker said the proposed acquisition of LCM fits into Vedanta’s plan to expand its copper business in Zambia. Vedanta runs its Zambian copper operations through KCM, in which it holds an 80% equity. Vedanta has four mines, one each in Konkola and Nampundwe and two in Nchanga, Zambia.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Indl-Goods--Svs/Metals--Mining/Vedanta-leads-the-race-for-Zambian-copper-mine/articleshow/4412198.cms


ArcelorMittal's Orissa, Jharkhand steel projects delayed by two years
Submitted by Rajvir Khanna on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 09:31.
The LN Mittal-controlled company, ArcelorMittal, is reportedly holding up its $20-25 billion proposed steel projects in Orissa and Jharkhand, largely because of the global economic crisis that has weakened demand for steel. As such, the world's biggest steelmaker's pending payment to the state government, for a 1,500-acre land earmarked for the proposed facility, will also be delayed.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a steel industry seminar organized the FICCI - Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - the ArcelorMittal's India operations head, Vijay Bhatnagar, said that that company had no intentions of cancelling either of the projects, and the delay was a result of "changed priorities."
Bhatnagar cited "economic downturn" as the "top reason" for the delay in the projects. He added that the other reason was "procedural delays and the cycle times have been much more to get land and mining resources" than anticipated.
Prior to the announced delay, the India-born, London-based entrepreneur Mittal had said that the groundbreaking for both Orissa and Jharkand projects - the company's only greenfield steel plants globally; each with an overall 12 million tonnes per annum steel capacity - will kick off by end-2009 and production would begin by 2014.
However, Bhatnagar specified that, in the present economic scenario, "greenfield steel projects certainly do not top the list."
http://www.topnews.in/arcelormittals-orissa-jharkhand-steel-projects-delayed-two-years-2152425


Mercator to sharpen focus on dredging, coal mining

Published on Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 08:29 , Updated at Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 08:48
Source : Business Line

Mumbai April 16

With the global freight market remaining dampened due to recessionary trends, Mercator Lines, India’s second largest private shipping company, has decided to sharpen focus on its other businesses — dredging and coal mining.

The company recently entered the coal mining sector by acquiring three mines in Indonesia and one in Mozambique, as part of its backward integration initiative. “We are into transportation and handling of coal. So we decided to get into coal mining,” Mr H.K. Mittal, Chairman of Mercator Lines, told Business Line.

Also Read: Mercator Lines Q4 PAT seen at Rs 60.2 cr: Religare

The company plans to produce between 1.5 million tonnes (mt) and 2 mt of coal from its Indonesia mines in the current fiscal. “Over the next three to four years, we will be ramping up production to 10 mt tonnes through acquisition of more mines,” Mr Mittal said.

The Mozambique mine, where production is yet to start, is spread over an area of 180-sq.km, with estimated recoverable reserve of one billion tonnes.
To acquire more dredgers
The company also plans to enhance its focus on dredging business, seeing major opportunities in the domestic dredging market as Indian ports plan to expand capacities and new ports are in the pipeline. It plans to add two new dredgers to its fleet of four in the current quarter — at a cost of $110 million.
Within the next three years, Mercator plans to expand its dredging fleet to 10, which will include both cutter suction and trailer suction dredgers. Earlier, the company leased out the dredgers to Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), but now it operates these vessels on its own.
The company has not postponed its acquisition plans despite recessionary trends. “On the contrary, we feel this is the best time to buy assets. Lots of second-hand ships are available at much lower prices as compared to some months ago,” said Mr Mittal.
Ships can be purchased at prices 20 to 50 per cent lower depending on the category of vessels. New ships at different shipyards were also available, as the owners could not pursue expansion plans due to tight liquidity position.
The company, which spent $310 million to acquire new assets, including a very large crude carrier, will be buying a few bulk carriers this fiscal. Financing, however, was still a problem, he said.
Sharp fall in tanker rates
While the dry bulk market is showing some signs of improvement, tanker rates fell sharply in the last three months. The average charter rate for a VLCC fell from $44,065 per day in January 2009 to $30,672 in February and $25,177 in March. On April 8, the VLCC rate was ruling at about $10,536 per day.
The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the dry bulk freight rates, increased from 1818 in February 2009 to 1958 in March. The rates are just about sufficient to meet the operating costs of shipping companies, say industry analysts.
Taken from Business Line

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/mercator-to-sharpen-focusdredging-coal-mining-/393670


Coal Production Starts from Jharkhand Mins by NTPC This Year
User Rating:starstarstarstarstar / 0 Thursday, 16 April 2009
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New Delhi, April 16: In a latest development, India’s largest utility NTPC has informed that it would start coal production from its mines in Jharkhand in the second half of this fiscal.

The company plans to achieve a coal production target of 15 million tonnes per annum by 2012.

It should be noted that NTPC has ventured into the coal mining business with an aim to meet about 20 per cent of its fuel requirement from its captive mines by 2017.

Till date, the government has allotted seven coal blocks to NTPC, out of which two blocks are scheduled to be developed through joint ventures.

According to reports, the company’s total coal requirement during 2009-10 is estimated at 150 metric ton, of which Coal India and its subsidiaries would provide 130-132 metric ton, while the balance would be met through imports.

NTPC plans to import 12.5 metric ton of fuel in the current fiscal.
--Agencies

http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=335543&Itemid=57&cattitle=Business


Nalco raid spurs alert
KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, April 16: Concerned over the recent Naxalite attack on the explosives’ depot of Nalco bauxite mines in Orissa, Jharkhand police have asked Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) to step up vigil in the mining areas of the state.
Director-general of police (Jharkhand) V.D. Ram has sounded an alert and has asked the director-general of CISF to ensure that the explosives’ depots in the mines owned by public sector undertakings (PSU) are safe.
State police spokesperson S..N. Pradhan said as the CISF is handling the security of explosives’ depots at all mines owned by PSUs, the state police decided to approach the CISF directorate for stepping up vigilance.
The Orissa attack has led to fear that they explosives seized by the rebels would be used by them to spread terror during the Lok Sabha elections being held in five phases.
“The incident of rebels laying seige to the explosives’ depot at Nalco’s bauxite mines was an eye-opener. Now, the state police has to take precautionary measures for protecting explosives,” Pradhan told The Telegraph.
The senior police officer said that beside CISF authorities in New Delhi, the state police have also called its own department as well as the intelligence department for support.
Pradhan said the management teams of mines operating under the PSUs have been instructed to keep local heads of police informed about any untoward incident or any suspicious movement in the mining zones.
Vigil teams have also started monitoring private mines.
Jharkhand being a mineral rich state has numerous mines of coal, iron ore, bauxite, limestone and other important minerals, which function under various PSUs.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090417/jsp/jharkhand/story_10832887.jsp


GOAMAP manifesto to rescue state for mining
17 Apr 2009, 0024 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI: The abolition of private ownership in Goa's mining sector and confiscation of wealth accumulated by mining companies over the past 50

years is one of the demands made in a proposed manifesto by a citizens' initiative in the state recently.

Known as the Goa Federation of Mines Affected People (GOAMAP), the citizens' initiative has proposed the manifesto to political parties and the public to debate and rescue Goa from the ills of mining.

The manifesto demands the creation of a special fund from the confiscated wealth of mining companies towards restoration of settlements with dignity in areas where operational mining leases have been terminated. The fund must also rehabilitate mining workers after closure of the mines in greater interest of Goa, its water and its future generations, the document states.

The manifesto demands the withdrawal of all police cases against those opposing the mining industry in Goa as well as a comprehensive ecological auditing of mining industry in Goa for its performance over the past 50 years.

Another demand on the manifesto is a comprehensive review of all mining leases in Goa. One-fourth of the state is bound by leases that were granted by the Portuguese colonial regime from 1929 to 1959. Since the population of Goa has trebled after that, a complete feasibility on mining in Goa must be undertaken immediately, the manifesto states.

The manifesto also demands a shutdown of mining in Goa in a planned manner beginning with eco-sensitive zones like forests, agriculture, horticulture, people's habitats, lakes, springs and other water bodies.

It also demands the termination of mining leases where people protest its ill effects, such as Advalpal, Colomb, Rivona, Shirgao, Morpilla, Khola, Cudnem, Pali, Bicholim, Sattari, Surla, Mayem, Cavrem, Sulcorna, Sarvan and Korgao.

The manifesto also asks for the termination of mining leases in watershed areas and in catchment areas of major dams which supply water for drinking, irrigation and industry. These include Selaulim, Opa and Assonora as well as the western ghat's sanctuaries, protected areas and their buffer zones, government forests and private forests.

Another demand is the termination of mining leases in tribal and other villages of inhabitance and cancellation of all environmental clearances by the ministry of environment and forest, New Delhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/GOAMAP-manifesto-to-rescue-state-for-mining/articleshow/4411988.cms


RKKR Steel plans to double capacity of AP plant
Friday, 17 Apr 2009
It is reported that RKKR Steels has decided to double the capacity of its upcoming integrated steel project at Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to 1 million tonnes per annum with an additional capital infusion of INR 900 crore.

As per report the company plans to part fund this capacity expansion through internal accruals and may also hit the capital market next year to raise funds.

Mr Rajiv Rai chairman of RKKR group said that “We have drawn up plans for the next phase under which we will raise annual steel-making capacity to one million tonnes. This is now possible as the company has acquired a further 350 acres of land besides the 400 acres it already had.”

He added that “The capital cost for doubling the capacity at Krishnapatnam would be around INR 900 crore and the company would fund this from internal accruals and an initial public offer. This is slated to be sometime in 2010-11 by when the equity markets are expected to improve.”

Mr Rai said that “The Krishnapatnam project will help the RKKR Group leapfrog into one of the top-tier groups in South India with a turnover exceeding USD 1 billion.”

RKKR is establishing INR 1,100 crore integrated steel project at Krishnapatnam through a separate company called SBQ Steels to make special and alloy steels for automotive ancillary units.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/04/17/OTA0NTg%3D/RKKR_Steel_plans_to_double_capacity_of_AP_plant.html

Indian steel mills better placed for expansion - Mr Rastogi
Friday, 17 Apr 2009
BL reported that Mr PK Rastogi steel secretary painted an optimistic scenario for the domestic steel industry by saying that Greenfield capacity expansions will re emerge sooner in India compared with other countries due to clear signs of demand prospects.

Inaugurating a national conference on ‘Indian steel industry: The way forward’ organized by the Steel Ministry and FICCI Mr Rastogi said that “Indian steel industry has weathered the financial storm reasonably well. The Q4 numbers on production and consumption of steel is a clear indication of the resilience and strength of our steel industry.”

Mr Rastogi said that the primary factor was the expectations of a 5% to 7% GDP growth in 2008-09 and possibilities of GDP returning to a higher growth trajectory during the current fiscal.

Second, with capital formation and savings rate continuing at levels exceeding 30% there would be higher elasticity of steel demand with respect to growth in GDP.

Third, the thrust on infrastructure in the XI Plan is expected to boost steel demand. And finally, the lower rate of inflation would offer room for aggressive price cuts and provide a fillip to investment and consumption.

However, Mr SK Roongta chairman of SAIL cautioned against a “euphoric response” and urged steelmakers to adopt a collaborative approach towards demand creation, sharing of best practices, skill development, environmental protection and beneficiation of raw materials.
http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/04/17/OTA0NjE%3D/Indian_steel_mills_better_placed_for_expansion_-_Mr_Rastogi.html

Mining – International

In Virginia's glowing hills
Apr 16th 2009 | RICHMOND
From The Economist print edition
Plenty of uranium lies in the Piedmont. That’s where many think it should stay
THIRTY years after America’s worst atomic accident at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, and 330 miles (530km) away in the rural Piedmont region of Virginia, a retired army officer-turned-diplomat wants to kick-start the country’s nuclear industry—in his own front yard.
Walter Coles and his son (also Walter), backed with $25m from a clutch of unidentified local investors, Canadian energy firms, hedge funds and equity shops, propose to mine the largest untapped lode of uranium in the United States. The problem is a Virginia law, largely the handiwork of environmentalists and some of the Coles’ frightened neighbours, which prohibits uranium mining anywhere in the state.
Bands of the radioactive ore stretch north-south along Virginia’s rolling hills. An estimated 119m pounds (54m kg) lies beneath farm and timber land that has been the Coles’ family seat since the 1700s. Even with spot prices down to $40 a pound, from $136 in June 2007, the uranium is worth billions.
Profit is one inducement; so are friendly murmurings from the Obama White House about expanded nuclear power. By May the Department of Energy is expected to announce $18.5 billion in loan guarantees for two or three new reactors.
The Virginia uranium that might power those plants and America’s 104 existing civilian reactors is off-limits because of a ban enacted by the state in 1982. That was the last time a mine and mill was proposed for Pittsylvania County (named after William Pitt the Elder), a vast former tobacco-and-textile area above the Virginia-North Carolina border. The Coles, father and son, are campaigning to have the moratorium lifted. At least $7,000 has been contributed to state lawmakers, and more could flow in Virginia’s approaching elections. Five lobbying firms are busily at work, and an online effort to enlist support is under way.
The mine—an idea that is at least five years from becoming reality, says the elder Mr Coles—could generate 300-500 jobs in a region where unemployment is high. Danville, the area’s biggest city, had a jobless rate in January of 16.8%. Opponents retort that the latest figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that only 500 people are employed in uranium mining and milling nationwide.
A uranium mine, coupled with proposed oil and gas wells 50 miles (80km) off the state’s Atlantic coast, could put Virginia—already second to California as an importer of electricity, according to the EIA—in the energy-exporting business. Besides, a boost in domestic production would make America less dependent on dodgy foreign suppliers such as Russia and Kazakhstan. In 2007 Russia alone provided 33% of the uranium consumed by America.
For the mine’s opponents, however, the stakes are too high. They dismiss the claim that new technology allows the ore to be extracted with little harm to the environment. And approximately 200 miles east of Pittsylvania County the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, with a combined population approaching 700,000, fear that run-off from a mine could poison their water supply. Suddenly, the fight over uranium mining is no longer just between the Coles and their neighbours.
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13497120


EXCLUSIVE - Bhatia, Vitol in $50 mln coal dispute
Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:36pm IST
By Jackie Cowhig
LONDON (Reuters) - Bhatia Coal India, a subsidiary of the Bhatia International Group, has terminated a coal supply contract with traders Vitol and has initiated arbitration proceedings to settle a payment dispute, Bhatia officials said.
The arbitration hearings will be held in London during the next few months and will be subject to English law, the officials said.
They were unable to give more details such as the amount of coal or money involved because the matter is sub judice.
Vitol declined to comment.
The amount in dispute that is owed to Vitol is in excess of $50 million, one source close to the dispute said.
"We cancelled the contract so there is no non-performance on Bhatia's part," a senior Bhatia official said.
A source close to the issue said Bhatia cancelled the contract in order to avoid loading South African coal cargoes in every quarter this year which were bought in 2008 as part of an annual supply deal when prices were over 70 percent higher than present levels.
It has become the norm in coal trading as it has been for many years in oil for companies which have both sales and purchases with each other to simplify settlement by "washing-out" several deals so that the party which owes money overall makes a single payment.
There has been a rash of arbitration cases to settle disputes between Indian traders who did not perform on coal contracts signed before the plunge in prices last September and international suppliers.
In many instances suppliers said they have re-negotiated prices and re-scheduled deliveries to Indian buyers instead of going to arbitration.
http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-39080120090416


Farmers gang up to fight mines
17/04/2009 09:01 - (SA)
Elise Tempelhoff, Beeld
Standerton - Farmers in Mpumalanga are currently mobilising themselves to prevent government ministers from approving at least 200 new applications for coal and other mines in this water-rich area, which would effectively strike a death blow to agriculture.
By Thursday, farming organisations had been founded in five areas, namely Delmas, Ermelo, Belfast, Carolina and Standerton, in order to "do [their] utmost to prevent agriculture from disappearing from this district altogether"; to prevent the Vaal river - the economic artery of Gauteng which has its origin in Mpumalanga - from being polluted by acidic mine water; and to prevent "the end of us all".
Helgaard Rautenbach, chairperson of the Standerton Agricultural Forum, told farmers on Thursday that this is a matter of life and death, and that unprecedented pressure should now be placed on the government to turn down the new coal mines especially.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dr Koos Pretorius of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment and Terence McCarthy, a professor of geology, begged Eskom head Jacob Maroga to help them pressurise the government to turn down the new mine applications.
Water too polluted for irrigation
Pretorius, who has a farm in Belfast, said on Thursday that the water in the Witbank and Middelburg dams is already so polluted that it is useless for irrigation purposes. The Loskop Dam, the irrigation dam of the Groblersdal valley where many products for export are produced, is "teetering on the edge".
James Harris, DA councillor for Secunda, said he knows of several farmers in Mpumalanga who have already been warned by the European Union (Euro Gap) that their irrigation water is of an unacceptable quality.
It has an especially negative impact on lucerne, peanuts, grapes and citrus products. "Agricultural production has already fallen by 60% in this area," Harris said.
"These are the products we buy from supermarkets. It affects our health."
More coal mines in Mpumalanga will render the Vaal Dam and Vaal River useless.
Harris has said the biggest problem with the coal rush in Mpumalanga, is that it would take place in the catchment area of the Usuthu, Komati, Vaal and Olifants rivers. These would be primarily opencast mines.
Jan Boshoff, a farmer from Delmas and member of the governing body of the newly launched Olifants River Catchment Area Conservation Group, has said that "massive amounts of salts" from the Vaal River end up on agricultural land at the Vaalharts Scheme.
Acidic mine water
Harris said that large areas around Witbank are already so polluted due to acidic mine water that agricultural activities can't continue there. The soil becomes brackish because the salts build up in the water due to mining activities, which makes the agricultural soil sterile.
According to Harris, all the coal dust from the highveld settles in the Loskop Dam, which is already so seriously polluted by heavy metals and chemicals (from insecticides and pesticides) that "everything in there has probably died already". Dead fish were analysed and it was found that they were riddled with cancer.
"It's a tragic situation. Who's going to die next?" he asked.
Harris said it wouldn't help to try to clean the dam. Pollution must be tackled at the root cause, where industries and mines dump "garbage" in rivers at the taxpayer's expense, he said.
Pam Yako, director general of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, recently said that the Blue Scorpions would soon tackle unlicensed mines.
There are about 22 mines in Mpumalanga which mine coal without a water licence. Pretorius appealed to the Department of Minerals and Energy to "see the bigger picture" and not approve each mine individually.
Bheki Khumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Minerals and Energy, said it would be against the law to deal with the mines as a group. "Each mine must be approved individually, based on its own merits."
- Beeld
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2502696,00.html

EPA And Surface Coal Mining Permits
April 16, 2009 11:37 AM EDT (Updated: April 16, 2009 11:38 AM EDT)
views: 85 | comments: 14
President Obama has been subjecting the surface coal mining permits to tougher scrutiny. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson has been directing EPA staff to review 150-200 applications pending before the Federal Government for new or expanded surface coal mines.
Mountaintop coal mines in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee produce nearly 130 million tons of coal annually. That is about 14 % of the nation's power-producing coal. This generates electricity for 24.7 million US customers.
The mining industry has long claimed that eliminating mountaintop mining will lead to increased imports from countries that have far fewer environmental safeguards. If the surface coal mines do not get the permits they need to continue mining coal there will be a huge impact on the economy in Appalachia.
These photos were all taken at a working surface mine in West Virginia. As you can see it is reclaimed with ponds, trees, grass and so forth. It does attract wildlife and someone cattle is grazing on this plot of reclaimed land.









Mr Luke Popovich spokesman of National Mining Association said that the latest letters underscore fears of a de facto moratorium on surface mine permits from Virginia to Illinois. The Washington, DC based trade group estimates coal mines in the region employ 77,000 people.

Mr Popovich said that "The reason this permit review is potentially so disruptive over such a widespread area is that as the EPA well knows existing operations need new permits to dispose of fill as they exhaust the use of areas available to them now under existing permits."
He said that "It's coming in late in the process to recommend against these permits, so a comprehensive delay seems likely."








We are all concerned about the environment but is this truly the way to handle this situation? We drive vehicles that pollute the air as well as use lawn mowers that pollute the air. Yet, we do not complain nor do we stop using these items. Do you not realize that stopping strip mining will not stop it worldwide. It will only set the US demands for coal from China more. Are we not dependant on China enough already?
I personally see the way the coal fields are reclaimed in our area by ICG. It is beautiful. If you have never seen a reclaimed coal mine, you really should before you assume that it is bad. I know that the government and the media only lets us see what they want us to see. It is up to us to think for ourselves and do research before we take the media and the government at face value. If these permits are not issued soon my husband will be added to the unemployment list.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977657675&nav=Groupspace&grpId=3659174697241980

Merchant miners bag most of iron ore leases
Tags: News
By Alok Sharma
Merchant miners have cornered the lion’s share of iron ore mine leases granted between 2001 and 2008. In contrast, steel- making companies got far less.
Multinational steel companies with projects in India have had to move heaven and earth for leases. Projects of domestic steel companies are held up because they have not been able to secure adequate ore linkages.
Of 284 mining concessions granted by states – the licensing authority for minerals -- in those eight years, as many as 192, or 70 per cent, have been wrested by companies with no presence in steel making. The ore being mostly exported, the mines have been their cash cows. Steel- making companies have got only 92 leases.
Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have a fair record, though, having allotted leases mostly to steel producers. Most of the concessions granted by other states -- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Goa and Madhya Pradesh -- have gone to merchant miners, according to data with the steel ministry.
In Andhra Pradesh, only three of 40 leases have been awarded to companies that have steel plants or new projects. Of 39 mining leases in Karnataka, steel producers have got only two. Orissa awarded 33 leases in all, but only seven of them to steel manufacturers.
The new mineral policy cleared by the Union cabinet last year calls upon states to give preference to companies that add value to ore.
The policy, however, could not be tabled in Parliament in the face of stiff opposition from mineral rich states, including Karnataka, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan.
The steel ministry’s consistent stand is that proven reserves should be used for value addition such as steel making within the country, P K Rastogi, steel secretary, said.
“Before granting iron ore leases the steel ministry is not consulted, and allocations so far have been to non-steel makers in most states,” he said. This has only encouraged export of ore. Officials in the ministry of mines were not available for comment.
Rahul Baldota, president of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, a trade body of mining companies, said the world over there was no precedent of steel companies having captive iron ore mines.
Moreover, the benefit of owning captive mines was not passed on to the consumer by the steel companies. “One hardly sees any price difference between products of companies that have mines and those that don’t,” he said.
Members of the federation he heads exported 80 per cent of all iron ore mined last year.
Union steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan had earlier requested prime minister Manmohan Singh to have a fresh look at the mining of iron ore and its use within the country. Paswan had wanted the coal allocation model to be followed in the grant of iron ore mine leases. He wanted his ministry to be consulted before leases were granted. States have not heeded him.
Sajjan Jindal, vice- chairman and joint managing director of JSW Steel, rued that “stand- alone miners continue to export ore when Indian steel companies have to buy the raw material at high prices”.
The world’s biggest steel company, ArcelorMittal, and the Korean company, Posco, have been in a long wait for mining leases.
ArcelorMittal has obtained leases in Jharkhand but the company needs more mines to ensure raw material security before starting its project.
“The allotment of mining resources is taking more time than we anticipated,” said Vijay Bhatnagar, chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal India.
S K Roongta, chairman of Steel Authority of India Ltd, said mines should be granted to steel companies if the huge demand for the product in the country was to be met. “Iron ore is a finite reserve and should be used judiciously,” he said.
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/news/merchant-miners-bag-most-iron-ore-leases-003


Mine water licensing 'inconsistent'

Adrian Taylor | 17th April 2009

ADDITIONAL resources will have to be pumped into analysing the “cocktail effect” of the various contaminants discharged into Central Queensland's rivers.

That was the plea yesterday from the Fitzroy Basin Association's Suzie Christensen, who says there will be an increasing threat from mine discharges.

Ms Christensen said there were 35 coal mines in the Fitzroy and Bowen basins, with 17 more approved for development.

She said salt and metals would continue to find their way into rivers and it was vital that scientists investigated the potential harm to river life and humans from the various ingredients.

She said none of the testing done so far had been sophisticated enough to identify potential problems caused by a potent mix of heavy metals.

Members of the Fitzroy River Water Quality Technical Working Group yesterday discussed an Environmental Protection Agency study into the cumulative impacts of mining in the basin.

That study identifies six mines as the highest contributors of pollutants to the water network: Coppabella, North Goonyella, Goonyella Riverside, Peak Downs, Millennium and Ensham.

Lindsay Delzoppo, who presented the report to the group yesterday, said there were glaring inconsistencies in the licences mines held that allowed them to discharge excess water.

Some mines were allowed under their licences to do things that were forbidden at other mines.

“Often the practices do not reflect best environmental practice,” he said.

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/04/17/mine-water-licensing-inconsistent/


Construction Starts on Major Mozambican Mining Project
0 COMMENTS |
By: Keith Campbell
17th April 2009
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BRAZILIAN major diversified miner Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) has started development of its $1,3-billion Moatize coal project in Tete province, Mozambique.
Production is scheduled to start in December 2010.
The formal inauguration of the construction and development work at the mine site was attended by Vale CEO Roger Agnelli. "Moatize is our first big project in Africa," he highlighted. "We are doing studies, seeking new options for investment." It is also Vale's first greenfields project in Africa.
Vale has contracted a consortium of two major Brazilian construction and engineering groups, Odebrecht and Camargo Corrêa, to undertake the civil engineering and construction work, which will include the construction of one of the biggest coal handling preparation plants in the world, which will have a capacity of 26 000 000 t/y. In all, more than 20 Brazilian companies have been awarded contracts by Vale regarding Moatize.
Vale is also seeking to stimulate and develop local suppliers of products and services for Moatize. To this end, the mining group is carrying out a survey of small and medium companies in the Moatize district and the wider Tete province, to identify potential local partners and then capacitate them.
Currently, more than 2 000 people are working on the site, 90% of them Mozambican.
At the height of construction, this figure will surpass 3 000, most of them Mozambicans.
Once in operation, the mine will provide permanent jobs for some 1 500 people.
Moatize lies in one of the biggest unexplored coal provinces in the world, and has proven and probable reserves of 838-million tons, and will have a nominal annual production capacity of 11-million tons of coal, divided into 8,5-milion tons of metallurgical coal and 2,5-million tons of thermal coal. The metallurgical coal is of excellent quality, being hard coking coal, which fetches a premium on world markets.
The mine's production will be transported some 600 km by rail to the port of Beira, where a new coal terminal will be built. This new terminal will be concessioned by the Mozambique government and will be constructed over a period of 18 months.
Integral to the Moatize project are social and developmental investments by Vale in the district, to help create jobs and income for the local people, and not just at the mine.
These include investments in health, education and professional training, in the construction of infrastructure, and in the development of sustainable economic activities.
The actions taken include the construction and rehabiltation of units for the Tete Provincial Hospital and the Moatize Health Centre, the creation of a model farm focused on mixed farming, and the overhaul of the Moatize Intermediate Institute of Geology and Mining.
Students of this Institute have also attended training courses provided by Vale.
So far, the Brazilian group has invested some $7-million in these socioeconomic activities, whcih are aimed particularly at the 1 100 families that had to be moved to make way for the mine. This programme is being supported by an intense series of research studies, all conducted in partnership with the government, local communities, and specialised companies.
The development of Moatize is part of Vale's coal growth strategy, aimed at making the company, in the medium term, one of the world's biggest producers of the energy mineral.
Vale already produces coal in Australia, in operations in HunterValley, New South Wales, and Bowen Basin, in Queensland, and has two joint ventures in China for the production of coal and metallurgical coke. And, last month, the company completed the process of acquiring coal assets in Colombia from Colombian group Cementos Argos.
Regarding Africa, other than Mozambique, Vale is active in exploration and research in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Guinea, Mauritania, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia. In Angola, the company is exploring 250 000 km2 of territory, looking for copper and other metals and minerals. In the DRC, the target is also copper, while in Egypt the hunt is for potash. Guinea is being explored for bauxite, and in South Africa the objective is manganese.
http://www.miningweekly.com/article/construction-starts-on-major-mozambican-mining-project-2009-04-17

Other News – India

Tiger Reserves of India
-Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Reserve

16:19 IST
Backgrounder
Project Tiger Scheme has been under implementation since 1973 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Government of India. The main objective of Project Tiger is to ensure a viable population of tiger in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values and to preserve for all time, areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people. Initially, the Project started with 9 tiger reserves, covering an area of 16,339 sq.km., with a population of 268 tigers. At present there are 27 tiger reserves covering an area of 37761 sq.km., with a population of 1498 tigers. This amounts to almost 1.14% of the total geographical area of the country.
Tiger Reserves are constituted on a 'core-buffer' strategy. The core area is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations, where collection of minor forest produce, grazing, human disturbances are not allowed within. However, the buffer zone is managed as a ‘multiple use area’ with twin objectives of providing habitat supplement to the spill over population of wild animals from the core conservation unit, and to provide site specific eco-developmental inputs to surrounding villages for relieving their impact on the core.
Nagarjunasagar Tiger reserve spreads over five districts, Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Krishna river flows through the Reserve over a distance of 130 km. The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are important sources of irrigation and power in the State are located in the Reserve. The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are major attraction for a number of tourists and pilgrims from all over the country and abroad.
The Wildlife is generally confined to plateaues during monsoon and in valleys during summer. The perennial water sources are generally located in the valleys and the plateaus suffer from acute scarcity for water during summer. Nagarjunasagar receives rains from South-West monsoon as well as North-East monsoon. The South-West monsoon is active from second half of June to end September. After a dry spell of one month during October, North-East monsoon becomes active.
This area contains ruins of the ancient Nagarjuna Viswa Vidyalayam run by the great Buddhist scholar Nagarjunacharya (150 A.D.).
The River Krishna is the oldest river in the country, which has cut its basin almost 200 m deep. Many water falls such as Ethipothala, Pedda Dukudu, Gundam and Chaleswaram are amazingly beautiful.
The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary was notified in 1978. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The Reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. Before independence, the southern half of the Reserve area was under the control of the British while the northern half was controlled by the rulers of princely State of Hyderabad, who maintained it as a reserve for royal hunting.
Major flora of this area are Anogeissus latifolia, Cleisthanthus collinus, Terminalia spp., Pterocarpus marsupium, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrata, Tectona grandis, Mandelia suberora and Albizzia where as main animal species are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Pangolin, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Black Buck, Chinkara, Chowsinga, Mugger, Python, Cobra and Peafowl..
Census

Animal 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Tiger 90 80 97 24 51 30 34 28 39
Panther 200 60 54 -- 44 42 54 68 67
Sloth bear 300 -- 49 -- -- 16 400 -- --
Wild dog 200 -- 94 -- -- 141 250 -- --
Jackal 500 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chital 5000 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Sambar 2000 -- 319 -- -- 154 46 -- --
Nilgai 2000 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chinkara 1500 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chouwsinga 2000 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Wild boar 5000 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Crocodiles 300 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The area is hilly, considerably varying from plains to precipitous cliffs. High hills, deep valleys and gorges are characteristic features. More than 80 per cent of the area is gently rolling to hilly. The hill ranges contain number of plateau of which Amrabad, Srisailam, Peddacheruvu, Sivapuram, Nekkanti are note worthy. This reserve has various types of forests like Southern Tropical dry mixed deciduous forest, Hardwickia forest, Southern thorn forest and Southern Euphorbia scrub .
The ruins of the fort of Ikshwaku Chandragupta a ruler of 3rd century B.C. are present in the area overlooking a valley called Nirjivapuram. The ancient fort of Pratap Rudra a king of Kakateeya dynasty and many other forts are seen on the banks of the "Krishna". An ancient wall over a length of 105 miles constructed by the Kakateeyas is an interesting feature.
This area contains a number of geo-morphological features e.g. rock shelters and cave temples such as 1) Akka Mahadevi Bhilam, 2) Dattatreya Bhilam, 3) Umaa Maheswaram, 4) Kadalivanam, 5) Palankasari. The ancient shrines of Lord Mallikharjuna and his consort goddess "Bhramaramba" respectively contain one of the 12 Jyothirlingas and one of the eighteen Maha Shakthi peethas of the country.
New initiatives have been taken to protect the reserve and also to make it flourish. Improvement of water resources, eco-development activities and involvement of villagers in conserving and preserving forests help to provide excellent environment to tigers.
In the field of water management, existing small tanks were deepened to ensure more water storage. Forty check-dams were constructed to increase number of water points by arresting water in the streams which otherwise would have gone unutilized. Seventy artificial water troughs were constructed and water is supplied through tankers as frequently as necessary in high scarcity areas. Salt licks were also provided
Eco-development activities in forest dependent villages have bridged the gap between management and the communities. The villagers have started realizing the need for conservation of bio-diversity. More than 115 Eco-development committees (EDCs) have been constituted in and around the Reserve not only to reduce the dependency of the villagers but also to check and plug all the smuggling routes in the forest. Most of the committees have already taken the conservation of the habitat as a major concern. Apart from this 85 Vanasamrakshna Samithis are functioning outside the Reserve, which in conjunction with EDCs spare no efforts to destruction of forest. With the help of these committees, protection level has increased.
**********
KP
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=48518

Land acquisition issue revived ahead of polls
16 Apr 2009, 0510 hrs IST, Dipak Kumar Dash, TNN
NEW DELHI: The issue of acquisition of agricultural land for industrial development resurfaced in Kanjhawla just ahead of the Lok Sabha

elections. Farmers and activists once again demanded the Delhi government to denotify the land already acquired in six villages in north-west district and to stop any further land acquisition in the region.

Addressing a gathering of affected farmland-owners in Kanjhawla on Wednesday, land rights activist, academicians and intellectuals expressed concern over none of the political parties including the land acquisition issue in their manifestos. Activist Medha Patkar said though the land acquisition for SEZ and industrial development had witnessed nationwide protests, none of the poll manifestos talked about it in this election.

Extending their support to the struggle of Kanjhawla farmers for withdrawal of land acquisition notifications, activists unanimously demanded the government to use barren land for setting up industries and special economic zones.

Considering the issue has been hanging in balance, the organizers Bhoomi Bachao Aandolan had even invited candidates from Congress, BJP and BSP for North-West parliamentary constituency to engage in a dialogue with affected farmers. However, only BJP candidate Meera Kanwaria turned up and assured them to take up the demand of denotification.

"It's a crime to use agricultural land to set up industries. North-west Delhi has been neglected by the sitting Congress MP. Slums are being pushed to this part of the city. The government must find a way out to monitor the influx of Bangladeshis. Without checking their increasing numbers, we are letting them find space. Why should agricultural land be used for everything from industrial development to setting up of resettlement colonies?'' Kanwaria asked.

Raising the issue of "gross'' neglect by the sitting Congress MP, Kanwaria alleged that the situation is worse in her constituency, which has over 90 villages. "This region has been out of the development radar. People don't get water, roads are in a dilapidated condition. Why will they vote for us if we don't deliver?'' said the BJP nominee.

Responding to the demands of farmers, particularly women, that they would not give away their land whatever be the compensation, Kanwaria said the BJP would fight for their `rightful' demand. "Our land means everything to us. We don't want anyone to acquire it as it is our permanent source of livelihood,'' said a woman from Karala.

It's worth mentioning that farmers in the region have been protesting against the acquisition of 1,450 acres of agriculture land by Delhi government. "Though the government has increased the compensation, farmers have clearly said they would not come under any pressure. The government must stop acquisition of any agriculture land. Our protest might have some impact on other parts where people are fighting against similar activities by different state governments,'' said J S Rawat of Jan Sangharsh Vahini.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Land-acquisition-issue-revived-ahead-of-polls/articleshow/4406900.cms


Manifestos of political parties have ignored children, says World Vision
By: Rahul Benjamin
Friday, 17 April 2009, 13:11 (IST)
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India has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world.
As children below the age of 18 do not form a vote bank, manifestos of political parties have ignored them, says one of world's largest Christian relief and development organisation.

World Vision, which primarily works among children in India, released the 'Children's Manifesto' as an alternative to address the demands and rights of children who form the most vulnerable sections of the society.

India is home to 400 million children, the largest number in any country in the world. Also one third of the world’s children living in poverty are in India.

The international non-governmental organisation says children below 18 constitutes nearly 41 per cent of this country and despite various efforts have been ignored by the manifestos of major political parties in India.

Last year, a similar initiative saw thousands of children across the country under the banner of Rashtriya Bal Adhikar Sabha facilitated by World Vision, forming a manifesto addressing the needs of the children.

This year the manifesto has demanded the allocation of 25 per cent of the national budget for child well-being programmes. In addition, it has called on the government to ensure every child is born safe, healthy and provided free and compulsory education. It also asked for a fully equipped hospital and school in every village.

Dr Jayakumar Christian, national director of World Vision India, in an open letter to voters across the country, said, "When casting your vote, select a candidate or a party that reflects the thinking of children... Check the manifesto and ask people who are coming to canvas for votes if these issues are relevant to them before you make a decision.”

“If you are a child below the age of three there is a 50 per cent chance that you are malnourished. If you survive this age, and somehow get into school there is a 30 per cent chance that you will drop out of school. There is a 41 per cent chance that you will be sexually abused or molested, most probably by a close family member or friend,” the letter added.

The letter criticised India for doing little and failing in its commitment after signing the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child in 1992.

Children in India are victims of child labour, child trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation and many other forms of violence and abuse. India has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world. Incidentally, over 45,000 children go missing each year.

http://in.christiantoday.com/articles/manifestoes-of-political-parties-have-ignored-children-says-world-vision/3724.htm



CRY manifesto asks people to vote for child rights
Sangeetha Neeraja
First Published : 16 Apr 2009 02:59:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 16 Apr 2009 01:22:59 PM IST
CHENNAI: The election manifesto of Child Rights and You (CRY), non-governmental organisation, has called on every voter to vote responsibly and to hold representatives accountable for child rights.
There are about 400 million Indian citizens whose rights were given scant regard, and in many cases, abused. This is because they (children) do not form a vote bank, says the CRY election manifesto.
“Children cannot choose their political leaders who can shape their destiny. So the responsibility falls on the adults to vote for a representative who will stand up for child rights,” said P Krishnamoorthy, DGM, CRY.
“Child rights can become central to a country’s political agenda, only if its citizens choose to make it a priority to ensure that the government is accountable at all levels — right from policy making to implementation of projects at the grassroot level,” says Sahaya Teresa, Communications Manager, CRY.
The manifesto lists out a set of demands. The most important being the definition of child to include all persons who are under the age of 18. Around 70 out of every 1,000 children die each year. Every second child under five is malnourished. And 52 per cent of children are out of school.
The RTE Bill (Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008) should be redrafted to reflect the true spirit of education.
The manifesto also calls for an end to forms of child labour across sectors, including agriculture. It wants Integrated Child Development Services available to all children under the age of six years, as per the Supreme Court order of November 2001.
CRY strongly believes that child rights can be defended only if certain larger issues, which involve their family, were met.
The foremost of the issues as the manifesto claims is the lop-sided development that induces displacement of margarlized communities.
One way of preventing this kind of displacement is to change the Special Economic Zone Act (SEZ) 2005, thereby preventing misappropriation of land so that the marginalized are not exploited, says the manifesto.
Protection of natural resources and customary rights of coastal communities can be done only by withdrawing Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification 2006 and 1991. CRY manifesto seeks to improve public awareness on the state of children and to unite people to stand up and demand what is right. They also plan to present a copy of the manifesto to all political parties.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=CRY+manifesto+asks+people+to+vote+for+child+rights&artid=48LoKOqVFWk=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=&SEO=

We must protect communities who face climate change displacement
'Climigration' requires a new and unique institutional response based in human rights doctrine
• Robin Bronen

Waves pounding against the sandbagged seawall in Kivalina, Alaska. In 2006, a recently completed $2.5m sea barrier was partly destroyed. The community was evacuated in 2007. Photograph: Mary Sage/AP
In Alaska, climate change is creating an unforeseen humanitarian crisis. Arctic sea ice – which had protected communities from coastal erosion and flooding – is rapidly disappearing and signalling a radical transformation of this northern ecosystem. Scientific observations during the summer of 2007 documented a new record low.
In 2006, the US government completed a $2.5m (£1.7m) seawall to protect the native village of Kivalina, located on an island in the Chukchi Sea. But on the day of the dedication ceremony, a storm surge partly destroyed the newly constructed sea barrier. One year later, the community was evacuated to protect inhabitants from a severe storm.
The situation looks set to get worse. Winter temperatures along the northern Alaskan coast have increased an average of 3.5C (38.3F)since 1975. These warming temperatures are causing the arctic seas to freeze later in autumn and the permafrost – usually permanently frozen subsoil – to thaw. Along the northwestern Alaskan coast, permafrost is the glue that keeps the land intact and habitable.
Approximately 200 indigenous villages that have inhabited the arctic for millennia are located along Alaska's coasts and rivers. Dozens of these communities are now endangered because of accelerating erosion and flooding. Five indigenous communities, located along the Bering and Chukchi Seas, have concluded that relocation is the only durable solution to the climatic events that are threatening their lives.
Government agencies now realise that erosion and flooding control can no longer protect these coastal communities. In 2006, a US government report found that relocation of three communities is required because a catastrophic climatic event could submerge them within 10-15 years. Despite these dire predictions, no community has yet been relocated because of the governance issues that must be addressed to facilitate relocation. The report recognised that no government agency has the authority to relocate communities, no governmental organisation exists that can address the strategic planning needs of relocation, and no funding is specifically designated for relocation.
Since 2006, government officials have organised numerous meetings to address the policy and practical challenges of relocation. One village, Newtok, is in the relocation process. The Newtok Planning Group is the only interdisciplinary governmental workgroup in Alaska focused on relocation. The Newtok Traditional Council is leading the effort.
Next week in Alaska, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference will host a gathering of indigenous peoples from all over the world. The goal is to develop recommendations for the UN Convention on Climate Change meeting in December 2009. One of the topics will be the creation of a human rights regime to protect those forced to relocate because of climate change. "Climigration" is the word that best describes this type of population displacement. Climigration requires a new and unique institutional response based in human rights doctrine. Communities, rather than individuals, will be forced to migrate. Permanent relocation will be mandated because there will be no ability to return home because home will be under water or sinking in thawing permafrost.
Catastrophic random environmental events, such as hurricanes, do not cause climigration. However, these random environmental events, if on-going, may alter ecosystems permanently, cause extensive damage to public infrastructure, repeatedly place people in danger and require communities to relocate. Determining which communities are most likely to encounter displacement will require a complex assessment of a community's ecosystem vulnerability to climate change, as well as the vulnerability of its social, economic and political structures. Permanent relocation must only occur when there are no other durable solutions.
International human rights principles need to be specifically created for climigration to ensure that the social, economic and cultural human rights of individuals and the communities forced to migrate are protected. These principles will ensure that the affected community is a key leader and decision-maker in the relocation process. The principles will also affirm that families and tribes remain together. For indigenous communities, tribal relationships are essential to cultural identity.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that 150 million people may be displaced by climate change by 2050. The United Nations University has developed an international research agenda on climate change and forced migration. The IPCC needs to convene an expert working group to fully develop the human rights framework that will guide nation-states in addressing climigration. The time to act is now.
Robin Bronen is a human rights attorney and a National Science Foundation fellow. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2009/apr/17/alaska-migration-climate-change