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POLICY ON
EXPLORATION AND PROJECTS
INDIA
CANADA
TANZANIA
SOUTH
AFRICA
VENEZUELA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
AUSTRALIA
INDONESIA
UZBEKISTAN
FINLAND
Montana
Zimbabwe
Jamaica
PHILIPPINES
Malawi
INDIA/ORISSA
- Supreme Court
clears mining projects
In a recent move, the Supreme Court cleared the mining projects of
Vedanta and Poscoe in the hills of Orissa. These hills are
considered to be the "most bio diversity hot spots of the Eastern Ghats"
by environment
protection Group and
the villagers consider these as sacred. The villagers consider
any amount of compensation "worthless" and are moving to use their legal
protection provided
by the "Forest Rights Acts". Their efforts got a boost from the recent
visit of a Congress
Leader..
CHANGES IN POLICY FOR INCREASED
GLOBAL
India's Union Minister indicates introduction
of policy changes in the Parliament
with a view to encourage international participation in mining,
exploration and also mandatory iron ore supply between states.
26062007
CANADA - Lakes for
tailing ponds
The reclassification of the Second Portage Lake for the Doris North
Project and the Baker Lake for the Meadowbank Project as tailing ponds
in the Canada Gazette brings to focus the need for awareness of the
local residents who feel the need to be educated by expert, professional
and unbiased information. There is a provision that a "habitat
compensation plan" provided by the mining companies is in place.
11082008
TANZANIA-Tax regime, incentives and exemptions for mining
The panel appointed for reviewing the mining activities had suggested
increasing the taxes and reviewing the incentives in place. These
recommendations are statutory and need to be approved by parliament. The budget however included a 0.3 per cent
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) of the turnover for Corporate reporting
losses for three years consecutively a move that is considered an
incentive to the growing mining industry.
17062008
SOUTH AFRICA - CHANGES IN MINING POLICY
South Africa's Minister indicates amendment to Mining Laws 2004, to provide for
community participation and to ensure employee share schemes benefiting
workers as well as steps to improve safety measures including stipulated
accountability for accidents.
VENEZUELA
- Taking control
of Cement Plants, iron and steel industry
Taking control
of Cement Plants, iron and steel industry
The Energy Minister informs of the Government's Policy to address the
issue of tackling the prolonged housing shortage by taking control of
the cement plants currently operated by transnationals in the Country.
The Venezuelan government also announced renationalizing
Orinoco Iron and Steel (Sidor) enterprise while
respecting the rights of major stockholders. Sidor was earlier
privatized in 1997.
more on: Sidor
nationalization
vENEZUELA takes a stand on further open pits and exploration at Imatica.
The Environment Minister announces policy decision not to issue further
permits involving open pits as well as exploration in Imatica Forest
Reserve citing
environmental concerns. The Country is also planning to review all
mining concessions already granted.
related:
Cristinas gold
mine
Crystallex
Venezuela Operations-LasCristinas
Earth
Action-Save Imatica
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Policy on export of Cobalt concentrates
Katanga Province reiterates its policy enforcing ban on cobalt
concentrates. The Country has given time-bound permission for companies
to develop facilities for value addition within the Country.
19052008
AUSTRALIA
Policy change
on uranium mining
The Labor Party moves towards abolishing
the "No New Uranium Mining" policy, does not find favor with the states
of Queensland and Western Australia
Policy change on uranium mining
The Labor Party moves towards abolishing the "No New Uranium Mining"
policy, does not find favor with the states of Queensland and Western
Australia
INDONESIA Buyant Bay
Is the trial really over? The Court
ruling may not open the floodgates of investment, but the mining laws in
the present draft form are being watched with interest and apprehension.
Buyant Bay
Is the trial really over? The Court ruling may not open the floodgates
of investment, but the mining laws in the present draft form are being
watched with interest and apprehension.
UZBEKISTAN
The pointers on control over mining operations.
Can the revoking of license for developing the Khandiza polymetallic
deposit and the operational control moves in the Joint Venture Zarafshan
mine, be seen in isolation?
related:
Khandiza polymetallic deposit
Uzbekistan seeks Korean involvement
Zarafshan mine
Mine of the week
FINLAND
Environmental impact assessment decree
The Finnish degree moves towards the compliance with the EU's
environment impact assessment directive and now includes uranium mining,
enrichment and processing. However the ongoing tests and research are
exempt.
Montana's ban
on cyanide could come under review with
the proposed new gold mine.
Zimbabwe - Mine expansion
In the background of discussions over a new mining legislation, the
management is considering of a fifth expansion of the Mimosa Platinum in
view of its excellent working results. While the new expansion would not
require any additional infra-structure, new mining equipment for
mechanization and installation of a new mill to increase the
concentrator capacity are being considered.
Jamaica - Bauxite mining plans
Mining plans face stiff opposition in >
Cockpit Country in Jamaica and the >Accompong
Maroons have made their
intentions very clear. Alumina exports accounted for more than 50%
during 2005 and this could go >
further during 2006.Jamaica produces
9% of the world's bauxite and is ranked fifth in terms of alumina
production.
PHILIPPINES
Go ahead for Lafayette mining
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) permitted
Lafayette to proceed with its third test run at its polymetallic project
on Rapu-rapu islands over a period of 15 days attesting that the Company
has in place 'emergency-response' system to handle spills in case of
necessity
related:
Reaction to the end of 30 days test run
also:
Threat to Ocean?
Responsible mining
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office considers mining
operations as responsible when there is local acceptance and a balance is
maintained between mining and environment.
also - Ghana
- Responsible mining alliance
more - on
responsible mining
Malawi
Government sends signals to license holders and dormant mines |