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MPI Mining Monitor - January 2013


Welcome to 2013. After years in the political wilderness, mining seems to be  increasingly making the mainstream media, whether its the Boyer lectures with Marcia Langton or Ross Garnaut being told its time to leave PNG or mining tax/ CSG /fracking.... the list goes on.

This year we are determined to add more substance and diversity to the debate in addition to our usual, behind the scenes work with mining affected communities. So you can look forward to more original articles, photographs and videos from us, as well as the best mining articles and comment from around the world.

Over the holidays MPI did its best to update its mailing list. If you are new to  the 'Mining Monitor' then we hope you enjoy the content and links below. If you have been added by mistake and don't want to stay connected, then use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. Please share the 'Mining Monitor' by using the forward to a friend button. If you received this email from someone who shared (and cared) then you can signup using the blue button at the top of the page.

Many thanks to those who donated at our Christmas appeal, its great to have more people who understand and are prepared to support our work. If you are not currently helping to challenge the mining industry and its political and journalistic sycophants then please sign up and become a monthly supporter of MPI.

MPI's AGM will be held on February at 6.30pm eastern time. As befits a inter/national organisation the meeting will be held via phone link up. If you would like to attend then please contact us.
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Mining in PNG: Power, Privilege and Denial - MPI's Executive Director, Charles Roche, provides an alternate view of the state of mining in PNG in an opinion piece that examines travel bans, impacts and alternatives to mining, diplomatic low points, community opposition and finally identifies a challenge for both the PNG mining industry and Australia's engagement with PNG in 2013.
The real story behind the recent coverage of Ross Garnaut’s sudden departure from the PNGSDP is not diplomatic tension or obstructing Australian enterprise. Only those in ivory towers with powerful friends, influence and assets could believe the issue was about them. The real story is one of ongoing colonialism where rich and powerful people reference expensive plans and reports; at the same time locals die premature deaths, suffer from lack of medical assistance, poor education and a lack of opportunity. Despite a recent independent review, many questions remain about transparency and the impact, success and sustainability of the development and investment decisions made by PNGSDP.

The Mount Morgan gold-copper mine generated not only extra-ordinary wealth for its major shareholders but has left Queensland and Australia with probably it’s largest and most polluting mining legacy  on the Dee River and surrounding areas.

Click on the photo and check out the latest on mininglegacies.org. The Mount Morgan video is by Jessie Boylan, MPI's  talented film/photo/journalist, featuring our Chairperson, Dr Gavin Mudd and Michael McCabe from the Capricorn Conservation Council, Rockhampton Queensland
Jacky Green - Flow of Voices MPI has a long history of working on the McArthur River mine in the Gulf of Carpentaria, both directly and through the involvement of Executive Director, Charles Roche, who was formerly at the Environment Centre NT.

Throughout this time we have had the pleasure of working with Jacky Green who is an activist, artist, ranger and custodian. Everyone who has a chance to get to Melbourne should go and see Jacky's exhibition. The exhibition will also feature the inspirational work of Jessie Boylan who visited the area as part of MPI's mining legacies team in 2011.
If you are interested in coal seam gas and haven't seen the video of Dr Mudd in action then check out this video on our webpage. Dr Gavin Mudd was speaking at Southern Cross University during  November 2012, 'The Paradox of Coal Seam Gas and Groundwater - Impacts vs No Impacts?'

Thanks to Gavin Mudd for his presentation,  David Lowe for the video, more information about CSG and image borrowed from SMC
MPI in the News
While  MPI does not have a media focus, from time to time we do appear in the mainstream press.
 
Firms use tax money for aid projects
30 January 2013, Rory Callinan, Sydney Morning Herald
WEALTHY resource companies operating overseas are tapping into Australian taxpayer funds to set up aid projects potentially benefiting their corporate social responsibility credentials.

Aid and mining watchdogs have expressed concerns about the practice, arguing the corporations are wealthy enough to bankroll their own aid and that linking donations to controversial mine operations is a conflict of interest.
Click on the images below to visit some of MPI's websites
iron ore in sweden
mineral policy institute
oz mining legacies
get involved as a volunteer
Get involved - MPI values your feedback and interest in our work. If you have any articles/videos/images that should make the newsletter or one of our websites then please contact us.

We are also looking for research volunteers for legacy mine sites and to follow the money trail that funds enables mining in Australia.
Mineral Policy Institute 2013 ©
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 www.mpi.org.au
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