NEWS ARCHIVE

150 DEBATE STRIP MINING NEAR PINE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

The Courier-Journal Louisville, KY via EnviroLink Service - 28 February 2001 - An evenly divided crowd of 150 people debated last night whether land around the Pine Mountain Settlement School should be put off- limits to strip mining. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

NEW WATCHDOG MAY HELP RAISE MINE-SAFETY RECORD

Asia Intelligence Wire via NewsEdge Corporation - 28 February 2001 - China yesterday set up a new office to supervise coal output and try to reduce the number of mining accidents nationwide. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINING TO STOP ON ARIZONA MOUNTAIN

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 27 February 2001 - This week marks the end of a battle that once pitted environmentalists and American Indians against a company that mines volcanic pumice rock at the state's highest mountain. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

REHABILITATION COMPANY FOR MINE WASTE LAUNCHED

AllAfrica.com - 27 February 2001 - A new company aimed at mine dump rehabilitation and environmental management has been launched. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

OKANOGAN COURT TO RULE ON CYANIDE GOLD MINE

EnviroLink Service - 26 February 2001 - The Crown Jewel Mine, a proposed open-pit gold mine in Okanogan County that became an issue in the state's U.S. Senate race, continues to live on in court. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

ANNOUNCING:

Cultural Survival Quarterly's Spring 2001 Issue Mining Indigenous Lands: Can Impacts and Benefits be Reconciled?
Guest Edited by Saleem Ali & Larissa Behrendt

CHINA SHUTS DOWN ILLEGAL COAL MINES

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 25 February 2001 - Authorities in southern China have shut down 2,945 coal mines over the last two years for allegedly ignoring safety rules and fouling the environment, the government's Xinhua News Agency said Sunday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MEASUREMENT WORKING SUBGROUPS OVERVIEW

Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) - 26 February 2001 - The revision of the June 2000 first edition of the GRI’s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines is just getting underway. One key area of focus for the revision work is the performance section (Part C, Section 6) of the Guidelines. This work is taking place through the Measurement Working Group (MWG). The MWG is described in detail at the GRI website.

29 KILLED IN CHINA MINE ACCIDENTS

Asia Intelligence Wire via NewsEdge Corporation - 24 February 2001 - Twenty-nine miners have been killed and three reported missing in two separate accidents in Chinese coal mines, state media said today. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

HIGH COURT OKs FEDERAL MINE RULES

EnviroLink Service via Charleston Gazette 24 February 2001 - West Virginia regulators may not change strip mining regulations without the approval of the federal government, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WOUNDERING THE WEST: MONTANA, MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental History EnviroLink Service - 24 February 2001 - Wounding the West: Montana, Mining and the Environment. By David Stiller. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2000. xv + 212 pp. Maps, illustrations, notes, index. $25.00. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

KENYA: MINISTER DENIES LICENSE GRANTED FOR TITANIUM MINING

BBC Monitoring Africa via EnviroLink Service - 22 February 2001 - The minister for mineral exploration, Mr Jackson Kalweo, said the government has not issued any license for the mining of titanium deposits in Kwale District. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CYANIDE SPILLS AND GLOBAL WARMING

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 20 February 2001 - The European Union's Head of Environment Policy shares her concerns about the new U.S. President's approach toward the Kyoto Protocol, and in the wake of Europe's worst river pollution accident, doubts have been raised about the general ability of mining consortiums and chemical companies to contain cyanide waste. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

GENERAL NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY MINERAL DEVELOPMENT DRAFT BILL

The Mineral Development Draft Bill, 2000, is published for public comment. Comments should be submitted in writing to:

The Director-General
Attention: Mr. Jacinto Rocha
Department of Minerals and Energy
Private Bag X 59
PRETORIA

Written comments may also be faxed to (012) 322-8955 or sent by e-mail to seczul@mepta.pwv.gov.za.
Copies of the draft Bill can be obtained from: http://www.dme.gov.za/minerals/SC_Final.htm
Written comments must be received not later than 31 March 2001.

PHILIPPINE STORM KILLS 7 PEOPLE

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 19 February 2001 - A tropical storm in the central Philippines killed seven people, officials said Monday, bringing the death toll to 17 and the number driven from their homes to nearly 1,700 in a week of pounding rain. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WEST VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS NEW CLEAN WATER COAL TAX

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via EnviroLink Service - 16 February 2001- Wise administration officials are considering creating a new tax on coal production. Money from the tax would pay to clean up water pollution at abandoned mine sites. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

Center for Responsible Mining (CRM) Las Marismas, an international non-governmental organisation created to promote research that advances the concept of a more sustainable mining industry, will launch its home page (http://www.lasmarismas.org) in the near future.

READERS' FORUM: MINING NEAR HISTORIC SCHOOL DEPLORED

The Courier-Journal Louisville, KY via EnviroLink Service - 16 February 2001 - As a middle school science teacher, I am grateful for The Courier- Journal's recent (and past) attempts to educate the public regarding coal mining. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FRANCE COUNTS THE COST OF ABANDONING COAL MINING

Evening Standard via EnviroLink Service - 15 February 2001 - Seven Years after Britain's coal industry was cast into the private sector to sink or swim, France is finally counting the cost of abandoning the lamest of lame-duck industries. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINE WASTE PROBES DEVELOPED DOWN UNDER

Lycos News (ENS) - 15 February 2001 - A network of small oxygen probes could avert acid damage to the environment and save mining companies millions of dollars. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FEATURE: Artisanal Gold Mining without Mercury Pollution Vienna, Austria, 14 Feburary 2001

UNIDO - 14 February 2001 - Recently, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) allocated US$350,000 to UNIDO for formulating a global action plan for countries affecting international waters with mercury from artisanal mining. Six countries from three continents will participate: Brazil (Amazon River), Lao People's Democratic Republic (Mekong River), Indonesia (marine environment, especially Java Sea), Sudan (Nile River), Tanzania (Lake Victoria) and Zimbabwe (Zambezi River). Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FEATURE - ALUMINIUM MOVES TO THIRD PLACE IN CAR CONTENT

Planet Ark - 13 February 2001 - Lightweight and strong, aluminium will surpass plastic in the 2001 model year to become the third most-used material in vehicles, as car makers strive to pare weight to hit tougher emission targets and cut fuel use. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

METALS VIE FOR ELECTRIC CAR BATTERY DOMINANCE

Planet Ark - 13 February 2001 - Lead and nickel are battling it out for a winning battery configuration for the most promising car of the future - the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Further information can be obtained from the news article.

ANOTHER MINE POND SPILL CAUSES LIMITED DAMAGE

Associated Press Leased Line via NewsEdge Corporation - 13 February 2001 - For the second time in five months, a coal-mine pond failed in eastern Kentucky, sending a 1 million-gallon yellow slurry of mud and water rushing into people's yards. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

SURVEY: HOW MUCH DO U.S. INDUSTRIES SPEND CUTTING POLLUTION?

Lycos News (ENS) - 12 February 2001 - For the first time since 1994, the United States government is back in the business of surveying pollution abatement costs and expenditures (PACE). Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINING OPERATIONS IN CANADA RELEASED 2.3 MILLION POUNDS OF HEAVY METALS IN 1998

The Gallon Environment Letter Vol. 5, No. 7 - 12 February 12, 2001 - The Canadian Environmental Defence Fund (CEDF) in Toronto, said mining smelters in Canada released more than 2.3 million pounds of heavy metals in 1998, including arsenic, mercury, lead and nickel compounds. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

BLAZE AT HOMESTAKE MINE FORCES EVACUATION

Associated Press Leased Line via NewsEdge Corporation - 12 February 2001 - Underground workers were evacuated from Homestake gold mine in Lead on Thursday after a fire was found deep in the mine. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

EXPERTS: BOULDER WAS JUST TOO BIG TWO FORMER MINE WORKERS ARE SEEKING DAMAGES FROM A1986 THOMASVILLE MINING ACCIDENT

York Daily Record via EnviroLink Service - 09 February 2001 - An aerial work platform capable of withstanding the force of an 8- ton boulder falling on its extended boom has yet to be built, engineering experts for defendants in a 1986 limestone mining accident testified Thursday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COAL RECOVERY AUGER AVAILABLE FOR UNDERGROUND MINES

Mining Engineering via EnviroLink Service - 09 February 2001 - BryDet Development has added the BUA-600 auger mining system to its line of coal recovery systems for underground mines. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

HARD TIMES IN MINING ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Mining Engineering via EnviroLink Service - 09 February 2001 - Mining Engineering schools and departments are under the gun. They have been eliminated, merged into other departments or simply died of neglect. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MERCURY ASSESSMENT AMONG KEY DECISIONS TAKEN AT END OF UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL

UNEP News Release - 09 February 2001 - A global study on the health and environmental impacts of mercury is to be undertaken by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) it was announced today. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

TRAPPED MINER'S SIX DAY ORDEAL

BBC News - 08 February 2001 - Trapped miner's six day ordeal A miner has been rescued after spending six days trapped in a flooded mine in eastern India. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

EXPLORE THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTAL REALITY ON UNEP.NET

UNEP News Release - 08 February 2001 - The launch today by UNEP of a new interactive environmental Web site (http://www.unep.net) known as "UNEP dot net" will provide an expanded series of environmental management solutions. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

INDIA: GOVERNMENT REPORT URGES NEW MINE SAFETY LAW

EnviroLink Services 08 February 2001 - An Indian government commissioned report on reforming the coal sector has recommended enactment of a new mining legislation to tackle the crucial issue of safety in coal mines. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

PROBE TO MAKE MINE WASTE SAFER

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 07 February 2001 - A network of small oxygen probes could avert acid damage to the environment and save mining companies millions of dollars. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

EDITORIAL- CONTINUE RECLAMATION PROGRAM AND INCLUDE WATER SUPPLIES

EnviroLink Service - 07 February 2001 - When Congress created the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program back in 1977, it imposed a tax. Coal operators still pay it today - 35 cents per ton on coal mined at the surface and 15 cents per ton underground. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CRITICIZES WEST VIRGINIA STRIP MINE LAW ENFORCEMENT

EnviroLink Service - 06 February 2001 - State regulators do not properly crack down on coal companies that repeatedly violate strip mine laws, federal officials say in a new report. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

INTERNATIONAL MINING CONFERENCE OPENS IN CAPE TOWN

AllAfrica.com - 06 February 2001 - For the sixth year running, Cape Town hosts the International Conference on "Investing in African Mining," which opened Tuesday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

TOPFER CALLS FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR UNEP
2nd Global Ministerial Environment Forum/ 21st session of UNEP's Governing Council, 5 to 9 February, 2001, Nairobi, Kenya

UNEP News Release - 05 February 2001 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) must be given the necessary resources and financial backing if it is to lead the environmental agenda into the new millennium, Klaus Topfer, the UN Environment Programme's (UNEP) Executive Director, said today. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CALL FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: MEMBERS OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR THE GRI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The GRI is currently seeking your recommendations for members of the Nominating Committee. Please provide to GRI prior to 15 February 2001 recommendations for individuals to invite to serve on the Nominating Committee. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

RECORD $800 MILLION PAID FOR MINERAL PRODUCTION

Lycos News (ENS) - 05 February 2001 - The federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) distributed a record $800 million to 35 states last year for mineral production on federal lands located within their borders and from federal offshore lands adjacent to their shores. Further information can be obtained from the news article. (Scroll down to the article.)

EFFORTS CONTINUE TO SAVE INDIAN MINERS

BBC News - 05 February 2001 - Rescuers in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand are continuing a desperate search for thirty miners trapped for three days in a flooded coal mine. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COURT UPHOLDS PROTECTION OF RIVER DANUBE

Planet Ark - 04 February 2001 - The European Court of Justice dismissed a bid from Spain to annul the Convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the river Danube and approved its adoption under a qualified majority vote. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINING INTERESTS, NEVADA POLS FIGHT NEW ENVIRONMENTAL RULES

EnviroLink Service 02 February 2001- Nevada and mining industry officials are continuing to fight new environmental regulations that recently took effect. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

INDIAN COAL MINERS TRAPPED

BBC News - 02 February 2001 - More than 30 miners have been trapped in eastern India after water flooded a coal mine. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MORE DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE - NUMEROUS HEALTH PROBLEMS

ENN - 02 February 2001 - In November of last year, the Essequibo riverine region of Guyana and its people were once again the victims of a mine disaster. This is not an isolated incident but only the latest chapter in an ongoing violation of human rights and the environment. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WEST VIRGINIA REPRESENTATIVE PROPOSES TO REFORM US MINE CLEANUP PROGRAM

The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV via NewsEdge Corporation - 02 February 2001 - Congress created a program to clean up abandoned coal mines across the country. Coal companies would pay a special, per-ton production tax. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS APPLAUD MINISTER'S MOVE TO PREVENT MINE IN NEW PARK AS IMPORTANT FIRST STEP

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 01 February 2001 - Environmentalists today applauded the Minister of Natural Resource's decision to reject an application for a mine in Mellon Lake Conservation Reserve. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

ARSENIC-EATING PLANT COULD IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT - STUDY

Planet Ark - 01 February 2001 - A fern that eats arsenic could help to clean up industrial, mining and agricultural sites polluted with the poisonous metal, American scientists said on Wednesday. Further information can be obtained from the news article. Also available at Lycos News site.

THE GUARDIAN/POISONOUS LEGACY OF ROMANIAN GOLD RUSH

Europe Intelligence Wire via NewsEdge Corporation - 01 February 2001 - The waiting room of the doctor's surgery in the Romanian town of Sasar, about 30 miles from the border with Ukraine, is full of villagers, most of whom complain of stomach problems. Further information can be obtained from the news article.