Report Details ‘Coal’s Assault on Human Health’

The Chraleston Gazette
by Ken Ward Jr.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal pollution is assaulting human health through impacts on workers, residents near mining operations and power plants, and the environment in coalfield communities, according to a new report by a group of physicians.
The report by Physicians for Social Responsibility examined coal’s impacts on major organ systems of [...]

National Academy Blockbuster: Coal’s Huge Hidden Costs

The Charleston Gazette (West Virginia)
Report: Pollution from Burning Coal Costs $62 billion a year
by Ken Ward Jr.
Coal industry lobbyists and coal-state politicians like to remind us that coal is a relatively cheap source of energy.
But in a major new report out today, the National Academy of Sciences details some of the huge “hidden costs” of [...]

More Calls to Ban Zimbabwe’s Blood Diamonds

By Michael Deibert
PARIS, May 23 (IPS) – Amid allegations of human rights abuses and government corruption, international calls are growing to ban or restrict the trade in diamonds from politically unstable Zimbabwe.

Peru army call for Amazon protest

BBC
The move comes after clashes with police Video
Peru’s military have been authorised to give support to the police for 30 days in an escalating dispute over Amazon resources with indigenous groups.

U.S. Congress Moving to Track “Conflict Minerals”

Danielle Knight
WASHINGTON, May15 (IPS) – In an effort to stem the flow of money from mineral mines fueling the brutal civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.S. Senate is pushing ahead with new bipartisan legislation that would force U.S. companies to track and disclose the country of origin of minerals used in [...]

MINING-AFRICA: Help Yourself, There’s Plenty

By Joyce Mulama
NAIROBI, Mar 27 (IPS) – The African continent is rich in natural resources; but the terms under which multinational companies exploit these resources mean that governments – and Africa’s people – enjoy only a tiny fraction of the benefits.
Favourable legislation has set low royalty rates, which combines with mining contracts – often negotiated [...]

MINING-AFRICA: Help Yourself, There’s Plenty

By Joyce Mulama
NAIROBI, Mar 27 (IPS) – The African continent is rich in natural resources; but the terms under which multinational companies exploit these resources mean that governments – and Africa’s people – enjoy only a tiny fraction of the benefits.

DON’T MISS PROGRAMS ON SR. DOROTHY STANG

Tonight, Friday March 6, the PBS show NOW will air a presentation on the life and mission of Dorothy Stang.  In most cities the program airs at 8:30 p.m.  Please check schedule for local PBS station.  Also, HBO will air the film “They Killed Sister Dorothy” on March 25.  Attached is a film discussion guide.  [...]

EPA To Gut Mountaintop Mining Rule That Protects Streams

Common Dreams
by Renee Schoof and Bill Estep
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday approved a last-minute rule change by the Bush administration that will allow coal companies to bury streams under the rocks leftover from mining.
The 1983 rule prohibited dumping the fill from mountaintop removal mining within 100 feet of streams. In practice, the [...]

How the mobile phone in your pocket is helping to pay for the civil war in Congo

Telegraph
By Mike Pflanz in Goma
After two hours, drenched in sweat, he tugs on a cord tied to his waist and is pulled back to the surface, carrying with him a 30 kilogram sack of raw columbium-tantalite ore.
Few people have heard of this rare mineral, known as coltan, even though millions of people in the developed [...]