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News Archive - January to March 2002 This page contains News Items related to African mineral resource that were published during the period January to March 2002. Return to MRF Africa News. January - March 2002 News Items Title: UN
Mission in Sierra Leone Extended for Six Months Some 17,000 UN peacekeepers
will remain in Sierra Leone for another six months, following the Security
Council's decision on Thursday to extend the mission till 30 September,
UN News reported. The Council said it was "particularly important"
that key government personnel be sent to the diamond mining areas and
for the army to be deployed to the border. Title: ANC
Cronies in South Africa Diamond Rights Row Top businessmen with links to the ruling party have been embroiled in a row involving diamonds with members of a disadvantaged Northern Cape community. Community members are making an effort to reclaim their mineral rights from a black economic empowerment mining company, New Diamond Corporation (NDC), which they accuse of acquiring them "illegally". Title: 190
Miners Apply for Mining License in Zamfara, Nigeria Gusau Zamfara Ministry
of Environment and Solid Minerals Development has received 190 applications
from prospective miners for permission to mine minerals in the state.
He stated that as part of steps taken by the ministry to check illegal
mining activities in the state, the ministry's officials would soon undertake
a state-wide tour to sensitise the public on the dangers associated with
illegal mining.
Title: Relax
Kenya Mining Laws, Urges Canadian Envoy The Government has been urged to relax rules on exploration and mining of natural resources in the country. The Canadian Commercial Counsellor and Regional Trade Commissioner said Canadians willing to mine titanium in Kwale have met many obstacles unlike in other Sub-Saharan countries. He said Canadian mining firms are "the best in the world and meet all required human and environmental standards". See related
article. Title: Study
Estimates 28% of Miners Have HIV/Aids in South Africa The estimated incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in the South African mining industry is about 28%, according to research done by Anglo American. The objective was to mitigate the spread of the disease in the mining industry. Its work involves co-ordination of all mine programmes, condom distribution, educational campaigns, and assisting home based care centres. Title: Kenya
Government Issues Conditions for Titanium Mining Titanium mining in Kwale District should only be carried out after health conditions for the local people are met. Environment Minister Joseph Kamotho yesterday insisted that any exploitation of the minerals must benefit the locals instead of foreign investors. He said no foreign firm should be allowed to rip off locals. He said Tiomin Resources Inc of Canada whose subsidiary, Tiomin Kenya is pursuing mining titanium in Kwale, must ensure that residents are properly resettled. See related
article. Title: Sierra
Leone in Diamond Struggle Sierra Leone has virtually
no control over the illicit mining of diamonds Title: Kimberley
Process Reaches Breakthrough On Certification Negotiations in Ottawa on requiring certificates of origin for diamonds -- the so-called Kimberley Process -- reached a breakthrough Wednesday, following three days of talks. The goal of the plan is to prevent illicit diamonds sales from funding wars in Africa. "We believe that we are ready to launch the scheme," said group chairman Abbey Chikane, adding that an international certification plan should be in place by the end of the year, as soon as some technical points are worked out. Concern that the system, which forbids signatories importing stones from nonsignatories, would violate World Trade Organization rules seems to have calmed, Chikane said. Final details on the plan are scheduled for consideration at a ministerial meeting in November in Geneva (Associated Press/MSNBC.com, March 20). For the complete article. Title: Fight
against war diamonds earns Nobel nomination Three members of the
U.S. Congress have nominated an Ottawa-based organization to share in
the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for its work against so-called "blood
diamonds" in Africa. Partnership Africa Canada was nominated along
with U.K.-based Global Witness for efforts to end the trade in conflict
diamonds that has helped fund wars and human-rights atrocities in Sierra
Leone, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of
Title: Miners
Join Crusade Against HIV / AIDS in Ghana The mining industry
recognising the devastating effect HIV/AIDS could have on the mining sector,
has decided to support the fight against the disease in Ghana. The Ghana
Chamber of Mines in partnership with Commercial Market Strategies (CMS)
and CARE International yesterday organised a day's workshop in Accra for
the mining sector to develop a programme to address the threat of AIDS. Title: Zimbabwe
Mine Workers Victimised Zanu PF supporters in Shamva are victimising workers at Shamva Gold Mine whom they suspect to have voted for the opposition MDC in last week's presidential election. Zanu PF supporters reportedly want to drive out from the area people who voted for the MDC. For the complete news article.
Title: Racism
in Zambia Mines Should Be Checked Some new mine owners, though not as racist as their earlier counterparts still victimise and use abusive language against blacks. How many times are Government officials going to counsel white investors not to use abusive language or to stop victimising indigenous Zambian employees. Recently the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) had asked Zambians to take every trace of racism at places of work seriously and report to relevant authorities. For the complete news article. Title: Chief
Geologist Concerned Over Illegal Sand-Mining in Gambia The chief geologist at the Department of Trade, Industry and Employment has reiterated concern over illegal sand-mining in Mandinary and other undesignated sites. He said the effects of the tendency are naturally destructive and cause environmental degradation, whether controlled or not. Title: Num
Seeks Evidence From Msauli Workers in South Africa The National Union of Mineworkers is stepping up its efforts to gather evidence from former Msauli Asbestos workers who say they contracted work-related illnesses while working for the company. The union said it had evidence that the health of more than 300 former Msauli workers had been damaged during the time they were working for the company. Title: Curbing
Illicit Diamond Trade “A Matter of Life and Death” The United Nations General Assembly has urged the finalisation of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds in order to curb the flow of diamonds used to finance armed conflict. Referring to the "Kimberley Process [KP]", a statement issued by the Assembly on Wednesday called for the "full implementation of existing measures targeting the illicit trade in rough diamonds that play a role in fuelling conflict". Title: South
African Asbestos Victims’ Lawyers Call for Anglo’s Contribution UK lawyer for the victims said yesterday that Anglo profited substantially from the asbestos mining and milling activities of Cape plc in apartheid SA. They want Anglo American to make a contribution to the settlement trust fund. In December last year, Cape plc agreed to pay £21m (R351m) into a trust fund to be established in SA for 7500 victims suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Title: Miner
Killed at Nkana in Zambia A Miner at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Nkana Division, Lewis Mutapa, died in an underground accident at the weekend. Last week, another miner Bwalya Ntimbo died at Mindola Sub vertical Shaft in another underground accident at MCM. The causes of the accidents are being investigated. Title: Mining
Act to be Reviewed in Kenya The Government will
prepare a mineral policy and undertake a complete review of the Mining
Act. The 2002 2008 plan says the Government will carry out environmental
hazard mapping, rehabilitate disused mines and quarries, enact occupational
health legislation, promote preventive health education and train miners
on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and related activities. Title: World
Bank Apparently Clears Government Of Wrongdoing The World Bank seems to have cleared the Tanzanian government of any involvement in the alleged murder of 50 miners at the Bulyanhulu gold mine in 1996. It was reported last week that the bank had promised to look into allegations police buried the miners alive because they had wanted to evict them to allow a foreign mining company to take up its concession to the site. Tanzania has repeatedly denied such accusations. Read the full article. See also a related article. Title: Work
Out Survival Plans, Veep Urges Mining Companies in Zambia Vice President Enoch Kavindele says the future of the mining industry is bright but called on companies to work out feasible survival strategies. Experts and Government should undertake a critical look at the prospects and opportunities in the copper mining industry to avoid surprises. To read the full article. Title: World
Bank to investigate miners' deaths The World Bank has promised to investigate allegations that more than 50 small-scale gold miners were buried alive because police wanted to evict them from land to make way for a foreign company, operating with an investment guarantee from the bank. Read the complete article. Title:
Poverty Linked
to Land Degradation in Zambia For decades, Zambia's
economic bloodline has been copper mining for export earnings, government
revenue as well as a source of employment. Over the years, however, the
mining industry has gone through the rough times of economic recession
which has left hundreds of people unemployed in the advent of privatisation.
Every year, close to 80,000 hectares of land are cleared through the indiscrimate
cutting of trees by charcoal burners and other people who are desperate
for survival. To read the full
article. Title:
Commonwealth
Sets Up New Fund for Africa, $200m raised A new Commonwealth Fund for Africa in which more than $200 million have been raised, was launched on Sunday in Coolum, Australia. The fund is to be utilized in the development of infrastructure, communications, mining, manufacturing and other vital sectors of the economy to help raise the continent up from its dismal poverty level. To read the full article. Title: Zambia
hopes to keep copper private Six weeks after mining giant Anglo American said it was pulling out of Zambia's copper mining industry, the government insists the business will rapidly return to the private sector. Since closure - with the 10,000 job losses and collapse in export earnings that would entail - is not an option, the government will have to keep the mine going till a buyer can be found, analysts say. To read the full article. Title:
Mining Firms
to Enjoy Favourable Tax Concessions in Zambia Mining companies involved in the production of copper and cobalt will now enjoy the favourable tax concessions similar to those offered to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM). The development is meant to level the playing field in the mining industry to enable it to contribute positively to Zambia's economic growth. To read the full article. Title: Illegal
Sand Mining Continues to Thrive in Mandinary, Gambia Reports from Mandinary say illegal sand mining has continued to thrive in the village despite government's efforts, especially the National Environment Agency (NEA), to protect our seas from erosion and other coastal damages. Residents argued it would be a futile attempt to stop the trade because it is the only viable source of income for the villagers. Read the complete article.
Title: Nigerian
Government Loses N10m (US$87,000) Yearly to Illegal Miners The Federal Government
loses about N10 million (US $87,000) annually to illegal mining and solid
mineral exportation, the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said.
MAN officials state that illegal miners have taken over the mining industry
and this has brought attendant loss of lives and Read the complete article. Title: New
Image for Ghana Mining Industry Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Mines announced at the "Mining, the Environment and Sustainable Development" conference that the government is in the process of reviewing the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) to come out with a more pragmatic strategy to improve the mining industry. The minister said this would ensure that all mining activities yield commensurate returns to all stakeholders while proper care is taken of the environment. Read the full article. Title: School
of Minerals and Mining Opened at UNIN in South Africa Young black people in Limpopo who dream of working in the mining industry can now undergo technical training at the University of the North (Unin). The university has established a school of mining and minerals following a feasibility study, which found there was a great need for technical training in this field, especially amongst underprivileged people in the region. To read the full article. Title: We’re
Trying to Resolve Your Plight, Zambia Minister Assures Luanshya Miners Zambia Copperbelt Province Minister, Patrick Kafumukache yesterday assured protesting Luanshya miners that Government was trying to resolve their plight over non-payment of salaries and terminal benefits from the former ZCCM. The miners, also demanded to know where money realised from the mine had gone. The miners have not been paid since December. To read the full article. Title: 3,500
Workers Contract Asbestos-Related Illness in South Africa Former South African mining house Gencor could face compensation claims amounting to Rand 1 billion (US $87million) from 3,500 workers alleging they contracted asbestos-related illnesses while working at asbestos mines once owned or operated by the company. Read the full article. Title: Women
Miners Play Major Role in Tanzania National Economy Mining may be a demanding
physical activity that has historically been a To read the full article. Title:
“Galamsey”
Operators Urged to Licence in Ghana The Minister of Mines, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko has entreated illegal mining operators popularly known as "Galamseys" to stop their illicit activities and register as small scale miners. This, he said, would create an enabling environment for the government to protect and sustain forestry and its environs. The minister assured that any activity that would have a negative impact on the environment would be addressed appropriately. To read the full article. Title: Tiffany’s
Boycott of Tanzanite to Remain in Effect in Tanzania One of the largest jewellery dealers in the United States is at least temporarily continuing its boycott of tanzanite despite US government assurances that the gem is not being used to finance terrorist operations. A recent extensive investigation by US intelligence agencies did not find evidence of current Al Qaeda involvement in tanzanite smuggling. To read the full article. Title: Gems
used to finance conflict in Angola Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi funded his long-running conflict with the state through the illicit trade in so-called "blood diamonds." Diamonds have been used to finance wars elsewhere in Africa, the world's poorest continent, or have been the cause of fighting to control lucrative mining areas. Read the full article. Title: State
to Prevent Mines Job Losses (Zambia) President Mwanawasa says Government will do everything possible to prevent job losses at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). The President said Government in consultation with the donor community was taking all possible measures to ensure that all copper mines continue to operate for the benefit of the nation. See also the related articles: http://allafrica.com/stories/200202090133.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200202080344.html Title: Ashanti
Regional Minster Tours Bonte Gold Mines (Ghana) The Ashanti Regional
Minister, Mr S.K. Boafo has expressed concern about environmental degradation
in the region through surface mining and illegal chainsaw operations.
He has, therefore, charged mining companies to design environmental strategies
to reclaim lands destroyed through their operations to make them arable
for food production. Title: Dying
Miners Left to Rot - South Africa Miners who are suffering
from incurable lung diseases, contracted in the course of their employment,
are being left to die in poverty and without medical assistance. As miners
are not expected to live very long beyond retirement, because of health
reasons, the compensation system makes no provision for long-term medical
care or financial support. Title: Ex-Workers,
GGL Management in Tango Over Severance Pay in Ghana About a thousand former
workers of Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL), a Tarkwa-based mining company,
which has just taken over the management of Abosso Goldfields Limited
(AGL) have appealed to President Kufuor to personally intervene to help
them secure their severance pay from their former employers. Title: Tanzania
- Africa's Last Attractive Mining Destination It is no mistake that
Tanzania has become the investment destination of choice for some of the
world's biggest names in mining. According to a recent feature in the
Washington Post, mining will contribute more than $1 billion a year to
the Tanzanian treasury from royalty, tax and dividend payments within
five years. Title: World
Bank Comes to Lusaka's Rescue - Zambia The World Bank and the Zambian government have underlined their commitment to keep Zambia's Konkola Copper Mines open, with the possibility that funds earmarked for other Zambian development programmes may be used to keep Konkola's deep mines in business. See also related articles: http://allafrica.com/stories/200202040169.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200202010386.html Title: Mpumalanga
Women to Get Their Hand in Mining (South Africa) Minerals and energy affairs minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka launched a branch of the South African Women in Mining (SAWIMA) in Mpumalanga. The Minister said the launch would enable women in mining to access and use information, identify through research, meet and discuss problems faced by women miners and establish programmes to redress them. See also the related article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200202010317.html Title: Mining
Giant Set to Depart From Zambia Anglo
American P.L.C.,
the global mining giant, announced today that it For further information see the Anglo American press release. Title: Mining
Company Exploiting Obuasi Youth in Ghana TRAPEQ, a small-scale surface mining company, operating at Obuasi are flouting with impunity Ghana Labour Laws, and its expatriate management from Togo and Benin also discriminate against the Ghanaian workers in terms of salary and medial facilities. The basic pay given to miners working for small scale mining companies is ¢780,000, but the management of TRAPEQ pays ¢300,000 as basic to Ghanaian workers. Title: Dariye
Seeks Fund for States Devastated By Mining Activities in Nigeria Governor Joshua Dariye
of Plateau State has again made a case for special ecological fund for
states devastated by past mining activities in the country. He said states
like Plateau where tin was mined and used for the country's development
before oil was discovered, deserved special attention. He believed that
such special allocation would help to reclaim lost parcels of land devastated
by the mining activities. Title: National
Assembly Plan Public Hearing On Solid Minerals Policy Nigeria Efforts to ensure that the mining law, policy and allied regulations are consistent with international practice, underpinned the National Assembly's decision to have a public hearing on extant mining laws with inputs from all stakeholders in the sector. The objective of the public hearing is also to enable the lawmakers update and harmonize solid mineral policy, mining laws and allied regulations. Title: Law
Shines Ray of Hope for Battered Habitats in Kenya The Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines, which form part of the recently passed Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999, have already been approved by the Attorney General. The standards committee, also part of the authority, would soon come up with quality standards for water, air and mining by April. The major feature in the new Act is that individuals will be authorised to sue companies, corporations and even the government on environmental pollution. Title: Government,
Mine Management to Investigate Fatal Accident in South Africa The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and management of the Driefontein Gold Mine are meeting in Johannesburg today, to determine the cause of the accident that claimed five lives yesterday. Five miners were killed yesterday morning when two earth tremors struck about 3 000 metres underground where a new tunnel was being dug. Related Article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200201230339.html Title: Company
May Not Survive to Pay South African Claimants South African asbestos victims are anxiously waiting for hard-won compensation from London-listed Cape Plc, which used to mine asbestos in Northern Province and Northern Cape. The problem is that the company might not survive long enough to pay them the £21m (R351m) as stipulated in the settlement agreement. Related information is available from: http://www.icem.org/update/upd2001/upd01-84.html Title: Iscor
Accused of Unfair Layoffs in South Africa The Mineworkers' Union Solidarity (MWU) has declared a dispute with Iscor over "unfair dismissals" at its Vanderbijlpark mill. The union claims that the steel producer has unfairly dismissed 1100 workers in pursuit of improving its profits. Title: Red
Back clears Ghana gold mine hurdle in Ghana Australia's Red Back Mining NL said yesterday it had cleared an initial environmental hurdle in its quest to develop a gold mine in Ghana, Africa. The Perth-based prospecting firm has received government approval to prepare a statement on the environmental impact of developing the mine in Ghana's productive forest reserves, Red Back company secretary Simon Jackson told Reuters. Title: Miners
buried in DR Congo A mine has collapsed
in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killing at least 30 people. Three
bodies have been recovered from the mine but as many as 36 others are
still buried under the debris, a week after the collapse. The Bibapama
2 coltan mine, 60 km south-west of Goma, is under the control of the Rally
for Congolese Democracy (RCD) rebels. Title: Tiffany's
Ban Troubles AFGEM in South Africa African Gem Resources (AFGEM) , a Johannesburg-based tanzanite mining company, is considering commissioning an independent inquiry into allegations that the illegal sale of tanzanite has been helping to support international terrorist groups, including Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda. Title: CCP
on Fact Finding Mission in Kono in Sierra Leone A high power delegation from the Commission for the Consolidation of Peace (CCP) has returned from Kono after successfully completing a fact finding mission. A source revealed that a quarrel, which started over the date for the termination of illicit mining, caused the death of over fifty former RUF and CDF combatants. Title: Rio
Tinto to Pursue Controversial Mine in Madagascar Rio Tinto seems determined
to push ahead with one of the world's most Title: Asbestosis
victims in South Africa are to be compensated by June The first compensation payment to asbestosis victims in the Northern Province and Northern Cape is expected in June this year. In December more than 7 500 sufferers won R300-million (US $26.5 million) in an out of court settlement from their former employer, British company Cape plc mining. Title: Stormy
Incidents at Mining Towns in Ghana One Dead, Others Wounded Agitation by the youth in some of the mining towns in the Western Region for employment in the mining companies, and the reported chieftaincy clashes at Boizan in the Sefwi-speaking area of the region have led to the death of one person, whilst several others also got injured. Title: High
Hurdles for Deep Mine in Zambia Construction work
on what is thought to be one of the world's richest Title: Law
Courts Yet to Hear the Last in the Kenya Titanium Mining Dispute On September 21, High Court judge Justice Andrew Hayanga officially stopped the controversial titanium mining project at the Coast. He said in his milestone ruling that "by granting the injunction, this court will be saving the public from possible environmental degradation." It was a long drawn out case, and Tiomin Resources Inc of Canada is challenging the decision, meaning that the matter will run well into 2002. |
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