NEWS ARCHIVE

NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS TO REDUCE POLLUTION FROM METAL MINES

Environment Canada - 31 July 2001 - The Government of Canada is proposing new regulations to significantly reduce pollution entering waterways from metal mines across Canada. The draft regulations under the Federal Fisheries Act will require all metal mines in Canada to meet stringent new national environmental standards. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MITSUBISHI MATERIALS MULLS COPPER OUTPUT FROM WASTE

Planet Ark - 31 July 2001 - Mitsubishi Materials Corp said yesterday it is considering building a new line capable of disposing of 7,000 tonnes of waste per month to produce copper at its Naoshima smelter/refinery in western Japan. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINES BLAMED FOR HOUSING COLLAPSES

BBC News - 30 July 2001 - An inquiry into land subsidence in Edinburgh has concluded that collapses in 200-year-old mine workings were to blame. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

HUNDREDS FEARED DEAD IN CHINA MINE

BBC News - 30 July 2001 - Reports in several Chinese newspapers say up to 200 miners are feared dead after part of their pit was hit by a sudden flood. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

US LOWER HOUSE BACKS TOUGHER RULE ON ARSENIC

Planet Ark - 30 July 2001 - In a rebuff to US President George W. Bush, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted last week to cut the amount of arsenic allowed in US drinking water. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

POISON VALLEY

Salon.com - 30 July 2001 - Is workers' health the price we pay for high-tech progress? First of two parts. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

THE SEBASTIAO DAS ĮGUAS CLARAS TAILINGS DAM FAILURE (Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Details can be found in the World Information Service on Energy (WISE) Uranium Project web at http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/mdafsa.html

COAL MINE EXPLOSION TOLL EXPECTED TO REACH 92

EnviroLink Service - 25 July 2001 - The death toll from a coal mine explosion in East China's Jiangsu Province is expected to rise to 92, as the stranded miners have little hope of survival. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CHINESE MINE BLAST KILLS 15

BBC News - 23 July 2001 - An explosion at an illegally-operated coal mine in the Chinese province of Jiangsu has left 15 dead, with many more missing. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

THE MISSING PIECE NO MORE PERMITS WITHOUT A REGIONWIDE STUDY ON MINING IMPACTS

EnviroLink Service - 23 July 2001 - Representatives of IMC Phosphates will appear before an administrative law judge in Bradenton this week to defend their plans to expand the Four Corners Mine in Manatee County. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COAL INDUSTRY WORKING TO IMPROVE SAFETY AFTER INCREASE IN MINING DEATHS

EnviroLink Service - 23 July 2001 - A rapid increase in the average age of West Virginia's miners may be at least partially to blame for a recent surge in deaths in the state's coal mines. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

US EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NEW ARSENIC STANDARD

Planet Ark - 20 July 2001 - The US Environmental Protection Agency yesterday asked for public comment through Oct. 31 on a new arsenic-in-tap-water standard before it decides the issue early next year. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CLEANUP METHOD SELECTED SRS TAKES DOR ADVICE ON USING LIQUID SOLVENT TO STRIP CESIUM FROM TANKS AFTER INITIAL FACILITY'S FAILURE

EnviroLink Service - 19 July 2001 - Years after a $489 million failure, Savannah River Site has selected a new method to strip cesium from its 34 million gallons of radioactive liquid waste. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FEDERAL STUDY SHOWS EXTENSIVE CONTAMINATION NEAR MINE IN NORTHWEST ALASKA

EnviroLink Service - 19 July 2001 - A recent study of a heavy metals buildup along the Red Dog mine haul road in Northwest Alaska has regulators scrambling to figure out how bad the contamination is, what the risks are and whether a cleanup is warranted. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CODELCO, BHP BILLITON PLAN COPPER BIOLEACH PLANT

Planet Ark - 19 July 2001 - Chile's state-owned copper company Codelco and global miner BHP Billiton Plc plan to build a $50 million bioleaching plant in Chile with a capacity to treat 20,000 tonnes of copper annually starting in 2003, a senior Codelco official said on Wednesday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WORLD BANK ADOPTS NEW, SOUNDER ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY

Planet Ark - 19 July 2001 - The World Bank on Wednesday said it had adopted a new environmental strategy that would ensure that development in poor countries does not come at the cost of pollution and degradation of natural resources. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FEDS HAND OUT MINOR PENALTIES IN CARBON COUNTY, UTAH, MINE BLASTS

EnviroLink Service - 18 July 2001 - Federal investigators have concluded that a series of explosions in a mine that killed two coal miners in central Utah last year were caused by a collapsing roof and problems with the mine's ventilation system. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

EPA PROPOSES SUSPENSION OF WATER POLLUTION RULE

Lycos News (ENS) - 17 July 2001- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it will suspend a rule aimed at cleaning up contaminated waters, and launch an extensive review of the Clinton era regulation. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MANILA SAYS APPROVES LAFAYETTE MINES PROJECT

Planet Ark - 17 July 2001 - The Philippines said yesterday it had permitted Australian firm, Lafayette Mining Ltd , to excavate copper, zinc, silver and gold from Rapu Rapu island near Legazpi in Albay province. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

FLOOD VICTIMS BLAME MINING COMPANY

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 16 July 2001 - In the aftermath of the flooding that struck coal-country communities like Dorothy last weekend, some West Virginians are putting some of the blame for the disaster on mining companies' practice of cutting away mountaintops. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINE BLAST KILLS ONE, INJURES 12

AllAfrica.com - 16 July 2001 - More than 250 workers have refused to resume duty at a coal mine in south western Swaziland after an underground explosion killed one person and left twelve seriously injured last week. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

LEGAL AND TECHNICAL COMMISSION APPROVES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES, SEABED COUNCIL TOLD

Received from the International Seabed Authority - 06 July 2001 - A set of recommendations to guide seabed contractors in assessing the environmental consequences of their exploration for polymetallic nodules in the deep seabed was adopted this week by the Legal and Technical Commission, its Chairman informed the Council of the International Seabed Authority this morning. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

DEATH, DISEASE SURROUND CANADIAN TOXIC SLUDGE SITE

EnviroLink Service - 15 July 2001 - Rusted buildings and abandoned smokestacks loom over this eastern industrial town, and the stench of toxic waste from what is known as Canada's Love Canal never goes away. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

ZUNIS TO APPEAL STRIP-MINE PERMIT RENEWAL

EnviroLink Service - 14 July 2001 - Arizona utility Salt River Project won the state's approval Thursday for a five-year permit to strip mine coal in western New Mexico. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINES CITED FOR FLOOD-RELATED VIOLATIONS

EnviroLink Service - 12 July 2001 - At least 10 Southern West Virginia strip mines have been cited this week for environmental violations that state regulators say contributed to flooding in four counties Sunday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

SENATE REPUBLICANS SUPPORT NATIONAL MONUMENTS PROTECTION

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 12 July 2001 - Republican votes were the key to victory for Senate legislation blocking new oil and gas drilling and new coal mines inside national monuments, REP America, the national grassroots organization of Republicans for environmental protection, said. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

SIERRA CLUB PRAISES SENATE FOR REJECTING PRESIDENT'S PLANS TO DRILL, MINE WILDLANDS

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 11 July 2001 - The Sierra Club praised Members of the Senate for voting to protect our National Monuments from destructive oil drilling and mining. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MINING CODE HANDED OVER TO INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE

AllAfrica.com - 10 July 2001 - There has been a significant ceremony yesterday at the ministry of mines and hydrocarbons. That of the official handing of the project of the mining code to the interdepartmental committee in charge of the revision of the mining code. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

NIGERIA LOSES $5.8BN ON UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

AllAfrica.com - 10 July 2001 - Nigeria has been losing an estimated $5.8 billion annually to unsustainable development, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Sa'id, said in Abuja yesterday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

UNEP ISSUES NEW PUBLICATION ON TAILINGS DAMS ACCIDENTS

Environmental News Network (ENN) - 09 July 2001 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), has published "TAILINGS DAMS: RISK OF DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES - Lessons learnt from practical experiences" -- ICOLD Bulletin 121. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

PLANNED MONTANA MINE COULD BE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

Lycos News (ENS) - 09 July 2001 - The Kootenai National Forest and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality will decide in late summer or early fall whether to issue a permit for the proposed Rock Creek mine near Noxon, Montana. Further information can be obtained from the news article. (Scroll down to the article)

RULE WILL PROTECT MINERS FROM DIESEL POLLUTION

Lycos News (ENS) - 09 July 2001 - The Bush administration plans to implement a Clinton era rule aimed at protecting mine workers from air pollution from diesel engines. Further information can be obtained from the news article. (Scroll down to the article)

ALASKA REVIEWS REQUEST TO CLOSE MINE ROAD

EnviroLink Service - 09 July 2001 - The governor's office is reviewing a request by Trustees for Alaska to close the Red Dog Mine haul road after a National Park Service study that found heavy metals along the road raised concerns among some locals that subsistence food supplies could be contaminated. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

SEABED AUTHORITY WORKSHOP SUGGESTS WAYS TO STANDARDIZE DATA ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DEEP-SEA MINERAL EXPLORATION

International Seabed Authority - 02 July 2001 - A group of scientists, engineers and seabed contractors, convened by the International Seabed Authority at its headquarters in Kingston, has just compiled a set of suggestions for improving data collection in the deep ocean. . Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COURT DELIVERS GUILTY VERDICT FOR UKRAINE COAL MINE ENGINEERS

EnviroLink Service - 09 July - Krasnodon's city court on Saturday handed down a guilty verdict for engineers responsible for the death of 80 coal miners on March 11, 2000 at one of the local mines. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COMMITTEE LOOKS AT COAL DUST PROBLEM: MAIN FOCUS IS NEW PROCESSING FACILITY

EnviroLink Service - 07 July - The House-Senate Industrial Dust, Mining Permits and Dam Control Committee will, oddly enough, be investigating dust, permits and dams in monthly meetings until the 2002 legislative session starts in January. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

COMMUNITY RALLY TARGETS COAL COMPANY'S 'BAD ACTS'

EnviroLink Service - 04 July - Coal miners and environmentalists, two groups often at odds with one another, joined forces Monday to challenge Massey Energy Co.'s operating record. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

NEW JERSEY COMPANIES GO BEYOND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

EnviroLink Service - 04 July - Six New Jersey-based metal finishing companies are doing their part to help the state's economy and environment. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

EARTHTRENDS: THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION PORTAL

World Resources Institute (WRI) - 04 July 2001 - EarthTrends is intended to be the first place to go for timely and accurate global environmental and sustainable development information. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

BUTTE, MONT., OFFICIALS HEAR LATEST ON MINE-DUST POLLUTION

EnviroLink Service - 03 July - Commissioners heard the latest on blowing tailings at this week's council meeting from local and state officials and Montana Resources President Steve Walsh. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CHAMBER OF MINES MINDFUL ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

AllAfrica.com - 03 July 2001 - The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mrs Joyce Wereko-Brobbey has observed stakeholders in the industry are operating under strict guidelines to ensure that their operations are not sustained at the expense of the environment. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

SWISS MULTINATIONAL SLATED FOR POISONING MINERS

AllAfrica.com - 03 July 2001 - Steelport's dead and maimed vanadium miners have finally been vindicated in a government report that proves they were poisoned by massive overexposure to toxic chemicals. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: AUSTRALIAN FIRM UPBEAT ON PROSPECTS FOR SEABED MINING

EnviroLink Service - 02 July - A small Sydney-based private company is hopeful that its two offshore mineral leases in the Manus Basin will provide the location later this decade for the world's first undersea mining operation. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

JAPAN ALUMINIUM CAN RECYCLE RATE RISES TO 80.6 PCT

Planet Ark - 02 July - Japan recycled 214,107 tonnes of used aluminium cans in the year to March 31, 2001 - or 80.6 percent of all aluminium cans bought in Japan in the same period, an industry survey showed on Friday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

CANADIAN GREENS WANT US - STYLE TOXIC WASTE FUND

Planet Ark - 02 July - A coalition of Canadian environmental groups on Friday urged the government to set up a special C$2 billion fund ($1.3 billion) to start clearing up around 10,000 toxic waste sites scattered across the country. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

BAN ON LEADED GASOLINE TAKES EFFECT IN JAKARTA

Planet Ark - 02 July - A ban on the use of leaded gasoline in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and surrounding areas took effect on Sunday as part of efforts to reduce pollution, Mines and Energy Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

MEXICO PUSHES INDUSTRY TO REGISTER TOXIC EMISSIONS

Planet Ark - 02 July - Mexico's government will send a bill to Congress this year that would force industrial companies to measure and report their toxic emissions, Environment Minister Victor Lichtinger said on Friday. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WEST VIRGINIA HEARINGS ON LAWSUITS AGAINST COAL COMPANIES TO CONTINUE

EnviroLink Service - 01 July - McDowell County Circuit Judge Booker Stephens denied a coal industry motion to stop hearings on whether the Underwood administration acted properly in dismissing $406 million in lawsuits against 21 coal companies. Further information can be obtained from the news article.

WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR OPPOSES EFFORTS TO CUT MONEY FOR COAL MINE CLEANUP

EnviroLink Service - 01 July - Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., Made another move Thursday to reject Bush administration efforts to cut the federal money that cleans up abandoned coal mines. Further information can be obtained from the news article.