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15 december 2000
sydney
budapest
washington dc
brussels
eu releases report on cyanide
disaster
international mining environment groups
call for worldwide mining law reform
s
Today, Friends of the Earth in Hungary,
the Mineral Policy Center in the USA and the
Mineral Policy Institute in Australia call
for mining operations to be controlled by
proper international standards wherever the
companies are operating and not just in the
European Union.
The call comes as the European Union
releases a report on the Esmeralda cyanide
mining disaster that polluted a 2000
kilometre stretch of the Danube River system
catchment.
This spill, which was called Europe's
worst environmental disaster since Chernobyl,
forced the European Union to look at
implementing strict legislation to control
the operations of foreign mining companies.
Current voluntary codes of conduct are
totally inadequate.
In January 2000, Australian miner
Esmeralda spilt 100 million litres of cyanide
contaminated water into Romanian rivers. The
pollution flowed through Hungary to
Yugoslavia and into the Danube, decimating
fish populations on the way and devastating
the livelihoods of people along the
river.
"Mining companies need to be held
accountable and international standards need
to be put in place to prevent future
catastrophes." said Geoff Evans, Mineral
Policy Institute, Australia. "The
international records of Australian,
Canadian, USA and British mining companies
are atrocious."
"The Esmeralda disaster is only one of
numerous spills and ongoing day-to-day
pollution problems are unacceptable," said
Steve D’Esposito, Mineral Policy Center, USA.
"The industry must learn that clean rivers
and healthy ecosystems are more precious than
gold”
The Hungarian government has submitted a
claim of USD 110 million for compensation,
which shows the magnitude of damage. The
cyanide killed killing over one million
kilograms of fish in Hungary.
"The concerns of impacted people in
Hungary is raised, but the silence about the
ongoing impact on local population around the
mine site is a serious issue which is not
addressed", said Jozsef Feiler, Friends of
the Earth, Hungary.
“The poor record Rumanian authorities goes
hand in hand the cynical and negligent
approach of the Australian company using
double-standards. Practices continue in
Eastern Europe that would not be allowed in
Australia”, concluded Mr Feiler.
Everyday practices of International mining
companies are also causing massive
environmental and social damage. These
companies routinely dump waste directly into
rivers and oceans, and destroy farmland with
acid drainage that leaks off mine sites and
into river systems.
What has resulted from such practices are
farming communities that can no longer work
their land and river communities devastated
by waterways choked with mine waste.
"Today, we call for and end to what
amounts to an environmental double standard,"
MPC's D'Esposito said. "There has to be an
international effort toprotect developing
countries from mining practices that would
not be allowed where these companies have
their headquarters -- The U.S., Australia,
Canada or Britain."
Such standards should deal with:
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The need to regulate mining companies
by strong international regulations
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The ineffectiveness of voluntary
regulation
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The long term pollution problems
created by mining
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Protection of sensitive ecosystems
and protected areas
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Bans on inherently destructive
practices such as river and ocean waste
disposal
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Compensation for those directly
affected by mining disasters
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Creation of a baseline mechanisms
that identify parties financially liable
for cleanup when disasters occur.
For more information contact:
Geoff Evans or Simon Divecha, Mineral Policy
Institute, Sydney, Australia:
From Australia: 0418 261 404 or 0428 77
5540
From Overseas: +61 418 261 404 or +61 428 77
5540
www.mpi.org.au
Jozsef Feiler, Friends of the Earth
Hungary
From Hungary: 302 475 695
From Overseas: +36 302475695
www.zpok.hu/cyanide/baiamare
Chris Cervini or Steve D’Esposito, Mineral
Policy Center, Washington, USA
From North America: 202 887-1872 ext. 207 or
ext. 203
From Overseas: 1 202 887-1872 ext. 207 or
ext. 203
www.mineralpolicy.org
Magda Stoczkiewicz
Accession project coordinator
CEE Bankwatch Network
Friends of the Earth Europe
29 rue Blanche
1060 Brussels
Belgium
phone: +32 2 5420188
fax: +32 2 537 55 96
email:
magdas@foeeurope.org
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