Australia's mining and energy export revenues are forecast to climb 3% to a record $286 billion in the year to June 2023, buoyed by surging coal and gas prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Australia energy exports expected to climb 3% to $286 billion

Worldwide recession fears are impacting all the major sectors in the world. Commodities including metals and mineral sector is also seeing developments including geopolitical ones.

Global commodities market: Growth in mineral, mining sector

The South American nation of Bolivia has seen a spike in gold production in the last five years. A significant proportion of the precious metals production comes through independent gold mines.

Strife between miners & locals: Wildcat gold mining booms in Bolivia

A new New York bill is set to limit crypto miners from using power from power plants. Meanwhile, Bitcoin gains over 5% to $31,441.76.

NY bill to limit crypto miners using power: Bitcoin gains over 5% to $31,441.76

Chile is a country in the Western part of South America and is a home to a very diverse ecosystem. Its mining could seriously harm the country's environment

Chileans fear environmental disaster due to mining waste

The resource hungry humanity is now aiming for space. The US, China is leading the hunt as asteroid mining may soon become a reality.

How feasible is mining in space? Asteroid mining may soon become a reality

Russia where the latest move of a global crypto crackdown, its central bank has proposed banning use and mining of cryptocurrencies on the territory. The step has come after Central bank of Russia cited threats to financial stability, citizens' well-being and monetary policy sovereignty.

Russia proposes ban on crypto use, mining

Russian central bank has proposed a ban on cryptocurrency use and mining on Russian territory. The bank&nbsp;has cited threats posed by cryptocurrency to financial stability,&nbsp;citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty.

Russia has for years, argued against cryptocurrencies claiming that they could be used to fund terrorism or for money laundering. Russia&nbsp;eventually gave cryptocurrencies&nbsp;legal status in 2020 but banned their use as&nbsp;means of payment.

In a report published on Thursday, the central bank said speculative demand primarily determined cryptocurrencies' rapid growth and that they carried characteristics of a financial pyramid, warning that bubbles in the market could form, threatening financial stability and citizens.

The bank proposed preventing financial institutions from carrying out any operations with cryptocurrencies and said mechanisms should be developed to block transactions aimed at buying or selling cryptocurrencies for fiat, or traditional currencies. The proposed ban includes crypto exchanges.

Russians are active cryptocurrency users, the central bank said, with an annual transaction volume of about $5 billion.

Governments across the world are cracking down on cryptocurrencies due to worry that privately operated highly volatile digital currencies could undermine their control of financial and monetary systems.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian central bank has proposed a ban on cryptocurrency use and mining on Russian territory. The bank has cited threats posed by cryptocurrency to financial stability, citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty.

Russian central bank has proposed a ban on cryptocurrency use and mining on Russian territory. The bank has cited threats posed by cryptocurrency to financial stability, citizens' wellbeing and its monetary policy sovereignty. Russia has for years, argued against cryptocurrencies claiming that they could be used to fund terrorism or for money laundering. Russia eventually gave cryptocurrencies legal status in 2020 but banned their use as means of payment. In a report published on Thursday, the central bank said speculative demand primarily determined cryptocurrencies' rapid growth and that they carried characteristics of a financial pyramid, warning that bubbles in the market could form, threatening financial stability and citizens. The bank proposed preventing financial institutions from carrying out any operations with cryptocurrencies and said mechanisms should be developed to block transactions aimed at buying or selling cryptocurrencies for fiat, or traditional currencies. The proposed ban includes crypto exchanges. Russians are active cryptocurrency users, the central bank said, with an annual transaction volume of about $5 billion. Governments across the world are cracking down on cryptocurrencies due to worry that privately operated highly volatile digital currencies could undermine their control of financial and monetary systems. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia mulls ban on cryptocurrency use and mining

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.

Lithium is used in batteries, including those that power electric vehicles, and demand is soaring globally. It is also at the heart of a profound debate among Chileans, who are at odds over the social and environmental risks of lithium extraction. The New York Times reported last week on the consequences of mining for lithium in the ecologically sensitive salt flats of northern Chile and on how a new constitution, being drafted by an elected body, could change the mining sector, water rights and the country’s response to climate change.

The outgoing government of President Sebastián Piñera had invited bids in October from private companies to expand lithium production to 400,000 metric tons a year. But that plan has come under new scrutiny.

On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers from the left-of-center Partido por la Democracia, or Party for Democracy, filed an objection before an appeals court in the capital, Santiago, demanding that the bids be halted. And Wednesday, the centrist Christian Democrats introduced a bill in the Chilean legislature to prevent sitting presidents from inviting new mining-contract bids in the final 90 days of a term.

Also on Wednesday, advisers to President-elect Gabriel Boric, who takes office in March, met with the current government to express their concerns about the lack of a national policy on the future of lithium. The latest call for bids would create contracts to extract lithium over a 29-year period.

Boric’s supporters have in the past urged the outgoing government to suspend the bids.

Diego Pardow, one of Boric’s advisers, said the president-elect’s team favored what he called “common ground” between the outgoing government and the incoming administration.

Juan Carlos Jobet, the minister for energy and mining in the outgoing government, said he would look into the incoming government’s “legitimate concerns,” including whether to suspend the request for bids.

How to handle lithium production is likely to be one of the toughest issues facing Boric, a leftist former student leader who had campaigned on a promise to expand the social safety net and take ambitious climate action. With prices soaring on the global market, lithium mining could raise huge sums of money for his government, even as it carries yet unknown risks to the ecology of the area. Not least, lithium mining is divisive among Indigenous people of the area.

Boric has said little about his lithium plans, except to propose the creation of a national lithium company. Currently, two companies, Albemarle and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, or SQM, produce lithium under contracts with the government.

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.

Plans to expand lithium mining in Chile, the world’s second largest producer, hit political roadblocks this week, raising new questions about supplies of a metal that is in high demand as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources. Lithium is used in batteries, including those that power electric vehicles, and demand is soaring globally. It is also at the heart of a profound debate among Chileans, who are at odds over the social and environmental risks of lithium extraction. The New York Times reported last week on the consequences of mining for lithium in the ecologically sensitive salt flats of northern Chile and on how a new constitution, being drafted by an elected body, could change the mining sector, water rights and the country’s response to climate change. The outgoing government of President Sebastián Piñera had invited bids in October from private companies to expand lithium production to 400,000 metric tons a year. But that plan has come under new scrutiny. On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers from the left-of-center Partido por la Democracia, or Party for Democracy, filed an objection before an appeals court in the capital, Santiago, demanding that the bids be halted. And Wednesday, the centrist Christian Democrats introduced a bill in the Chilean legislature to prevent sitting presidents from inviting new mining-contract bids in the final 90 days of a term. Also on Wednesday, advisers to President-elect Gabriel Boric, who takes office in March, met with the current government to express their concerns about the lack of a national policy on the future of lithium. The latest call for bids would create contracts to extract lithium over a 29-year period. Boric’s supporters have in the past urged the outgoing government to suspend the bids. Diego Pardow, one of Boric’s advisers, said the president-elect’s team favored what he called “common ground” between the outgoing government and the incoming administration. Juan Carlos Jobet, the minister for energy and mining in the outgoing government, said he would look into the incoming government’s “legitimate concerns,” including whether to suspend the request for bids. How to handle lithium production is likely to be one of the toughest issues facing Boric, a leftist former student leader who had campaigned on a promise to expand the social safety net and take ambitious climate action. With prices soaring on the global market, lithium mining could raise huge sums of money for his government, even as it carries yet unknown risks to the ecology of the area. Not least, lithium mining is divisive among Indigenous people of the area. Boric has said little about his lithium plans, except to propose the creation of a national lithium company. Currently, two companies, Albemarle and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile, or SQM, produce lithium under contracts with the government.

Mining of lithium, key to the climate fight, faces new scrutiny in Chile

European country Kosovo is facing the worst energy crisis in a decade. Kosovo has introduced a ban on cryptocurrency mining. The Kosovo government said all law enforcement agencies will stop the production of crypto activity.

Kosovo has introduced a ban on cryptocurrency mining amid worst energy crisis in a decade

In a recent development in Chile, a scientist is testing "metal-eating" bacteria to help her clean up the country's highly-polluting mining industry.

In her laboratory in Antofagasta, which happens to be an industrial town 1,100-kilometers north of Santiago, the&nbsp;biotechnologist named Nadac Reales has been carrying out tests with extremophiles, which is organisms that live in extreme environments. Reales came up with her idea while she was conducting tests at a mining plant using microorganisms to improve the extraction of copper.

Speaking to AFP, she said, "I realised there were various needs in the mining industry, for example, what happened with the metallic waste."

While some metals can be recycled in smelting plants, others, such as HGV truck hoppers can hold 50 tons of rock and are often discarded in Chile's Atacama desert.

In her research, Reales, who now runs her own company Rudanac Biotec, concentrated on iron-oxidising bacteria, which is called Leptospirillum.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/35-of-39-trapped-at-canada-mine-finally-make-it-to-surface-416976">Also read |&nbsp;35 of 39 trapped at Canada mine finally make it to surface</a>

She extracted the bacteria from the Tatio geysers located 4,200 meters above sea level, some 350 kilometres from Antofagasta.

She said that the bacteria "live in an acidic environment that is practically unaffected by relatively high concentrations of most metals."

"At first the bacteria took two months to disintegrate a nail."

However, when starved, they had to adapt and find a way of feeding themselves. After two years of trials, the result was a marked increase in the speed at which the bacteria "ate," devouring a nail in just three days. As per Reales, "chemical and microbiological tests" have proved the bacteria are not harmful to humans or the environment.

Drina Vejar, a microbiologist who is working with Reales said, "We've always seen a lot of potential in this project that has already passed an important test in the laboratory."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-deal-aboriginal-owners-get-back-worlds-oldest-tropical-rainforest-416972">Also read |&nbsp;In a deal, Aboriginal owners get back world's oldest tropical rainforest</a>

"It's really necessary at this time when we have to plan for a more sustainable development, especially in all these cities with so many polluting industries."

Various mining companies have shown interest in the research but the company needs investment to move on to its next stage of trials.

Reales says she needs money to see if her method will "eat a medium-sized beam or a hopper."

In a recent development in Chile, a scientist is testing "metal-eating" bacteria to help her clean up the country's highly-polluting mining industry. In her laboratory in Antofagasta, which happens to be an industrial town 1,100-kilometers north of Santiago, the biotechnologist named Nadac Reales has been carrying out tests with extremophiles, which is organisms that live in extreme environments.

In a recent development in Chile, a scientist is testing "metal-eating" bacteria to help her clean up the country's highly-polluting mining industry. In her laboratory in Antofagasta, which happens to be an industrial town 1,100-kilometers north of Santiago, the biotechnologist named Nadac Reales has been carrying out tests with extremophiles, which is organisms that live in extreme environments. Reales came up with her idea while she was conducting tests at a mining plant using microorganisms to improve the extraction of copper. Speaking to AFP, she said, "I realised there were various needs in the mining industry, for example, what happened with the metallic waste." While some metals can be recycled in smelting plants, others, such as HGV truck hoppers can hold 50 tons of rock and are often discarded in Chile's Atacama desert. In her research, Reales, who now runs her own company Rudanac Biotec, concentrated on iron-oxidising bacteria, which is called Leptospirillum. Also read | 35 of 39 trapped at Canada mine finally make it to surface She extracted the bacteria from the Tatio geysers located 4,200 meters above sea level, some 350 kilometres from Antofagasta. She said that the bacteria "live in an acidic environment that is practically unaffected by relatively high concentrations of most metals." "At first the bacteria took two months to disintegrate a nail." However, when starved, they had to adapt and find a way of feeding themselves. After two years of trials, the result was a marked increase in the speed at which the bacteria "ate," devouring a nail in just three days. As per Reales, "chemical and microbiological tests" have proved the bacteria are not harmful to humans or the environment. Drina Vejar, a microbiologist who is working with Reales said, "We've always seen a lot of potential in this project that has already passed an important test in the laboratory." Also read | In a deal, Aboriginal owners get back world's oldest tropical rainforest "It's really necessary at this time when we have to plan for a more sustainable development, especially in all these cities with so many polluting industries." Various mining companies have shown interest in the research but the company needs investment to move on to its next stage of trials. Reales says she needs money to see if her method will "eat a medium-sized beam or a hopper."

'Meat eating' bacteria: An attempt to clean up mining industry by a Chilean scientist

As the government allows the amazon to turn into the wild west, indigenous groups are taking matters into their own hands. WION tells you how indigenous people are protecting the world's largest rainforest.

Brazil's indigenous group battle against logging & mining in Amazon forest

Chinese authorities have ordered the country's six mining companies to stop mining operations and leave a province in Democratic Republic of Congo. This came after Congo's South Kivu province ordered the companies to suspend operations over illegal mining and destruction of environment.

On Tuesday, Director-General of African Affairs at China's foreign ministry Wu Peng tweeted that the companies had been ordered to leave the South Kivu province. Saying that Chinese companies will not be allowed to break local laws in DR Congo, Peng said the six companies found to be breaking Congolese laws will be "punished and sanctioned" by China.

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Recently, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DRC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DRC</a> governor ordered six Chinese and Sino-foreign joint venture mining companies in South Kivu province to suspend the operations for the illegal mining activities. We support the DRC in cracking down on illegal economic activities in accordance with the law.
— 吴鹏 Wu Peng (@WuPeng_MFAChina) <a href="https://twitter.com/WuPeng_MFAChina/status/1437744924921761798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

South China Morning Post however, reported that the companies were asked to leave DR Congo.

The governor of Congo’s eastern South Kivu province, Theo Kasi, suspended the operations of the six small Chinese companies on Aug 20, ordering all local and foreign staff to leave the sites.

Kasi said the suspension came after the companies missed a deadline to register their activities with the authorities.

Kasi identified the companies as BM Global Business, Congo Blueant Minerals, Orientale Ressource Congo, Yellow Water Ressources, New Continent Mineral, and Groupe Cristal, ordering all local and foreign staff to leave the sites. Reuters was unable to reach the companies for comment.

Chinese authorities have ordered the country's six mining companies to stop mining operations and leave a province in Democratic Republic of Congo. This came after Congo's South Kivu province ordered the companies to suspend operations over illegal mining and destruction of environment.

Chinese authorities have ordered the country's six mining companies to stop mining operations and leave a province in Democratic Republic of Congo. This came after Congo's South Kivu province ordered the companies to suspend operations over illegal mining and destruction of environment. On Tuesday, Director-General of African Affairs at China's foreign ministry Wu Peng tweeted that the companies had been ordered to leave the South Kivu province. Saying that Chinese companies will not be allowed to break local laws in DR Congo, Peng said the six companies found to be breaking Congolese laws will be "punished and sanctioned" by China. Recently, the #DRC governor ordered six Chinese and Sino-foreign joint venture mining companies in South Kivu province to suspend the operations for the illegal mining activities. We support the DRC in cracking down on illegal economic activities in accordance with the law. — 吴鹏 Wu Peng (@WuPeng_MFAChina) September 14, 2021 × South China Morning Post however, reported that the companies were asked to leave DR Congo. The governor of Congo’s eastern South Kivu province, Theo Kasi, suspended the operations of the six small Chinese companies on Aug 20, ordering all local and foreign staff to leave the sites. Kasi said the suspension came after the companies missed a deadline to register their activities with the authorities. Kasi identified the companies as BM Global Business, Congo Blueant Minerals, Orientale Ressource Congo, Yellow Water Ressources, New Continent Mineral, and Groupe Cristal, ordering all local and foreign staff to leave the sites. Reuters was unable to reach the companies for comment.

China orders six of its mining companies to leave Congolese region

The illegal gold mining business is booming in Brazil, with miners pinning their hopes on a bill. More than 5000 illegal gold mines are operating in the Amazon forest which results in polluting the Amazon River.

Illegal gold mining thrives in Amazon, miners attack indigenous people

Armed men have kidnapped two Chinese employees of a mining company in a volatile area near western Niger's borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, the regional governor said Monday.

"Two Chinese nationals were kidnapped... by armed men in Mbanga" on Sunday night, the governor of the Tillaberi region Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella told AFP.

The "three borders" zone between the Sahel nations is regularly hit by attacks from jihadist groups linked to either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

The governor said the identity and number of those behind Sunday's abduction were not known.

He added that the two kidnapped Chinese employees "have a permit to search for gold" and had already received warnings from armed groups to leave the area "but they had refused to go home".

China strengthened its economic ties with Niger in 2006 through uranium, gold and oil exploration.

The last time a Chinese citizen was kidnapped was on July 6, 2007.

An employee of the China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNEC) conducting uranium exploration work in the north was abducted by Tuareg rebel group the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ).

The MNJ told AFP at the time that the abduction was an "ultimatum to the Chinese companies that cooperate with the Niger army".

He was released after several days of negotiations.

Several other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Mali in the last decade, including four French citizens in 2010 who were released three years later, and a Germany NGO worker in 2018 in Tillaberi who was never found.

Landlocked Niger faces attacks by the Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram from the southeast, and IS and al-Qaeda groups from the western border with Mali.

On March 21, several hamlets in the Tahoua region which borders Tillaberi were struck by coordinated attacks that killed 141 people -- the most deadly presumed jihadist assault in Niger in recent years.&nbsp;

Armed men have kidnapped two Chinese employees of a mining company in a volatile area near western Niger's borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, the regional governor said Monday.

Armed men have kidnapped two Chinese employees of a mining company in a volatile area near western Niger's borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, the regional governor said Monday. "Two Chinese nationals were kidnapped... by armed men in Mbanga" on Sunday night, the governor of the Tillaberi region Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella told AFP. The "three borders" zone between the Sahel nations is regularly hit by attacks from jihadist groups linked to either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State. The governor said the identity and number of those behind Sunday's abduction were not known. He added that the two kidnapped Chinese employees "have a permit to search for gold" and had already received warnings from armed groups to leave the area "but they had refused to go home". China strengthened its economic ties with Niger in 2006 through uranium, gold and oil exploration. The last time a Chinese citizen was kidnapped was on July 6, 2007. An employee of the China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNEC) conducting uranium exploration work in the north was abducted by Tuareg rebel group the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ). The MNJ told AFP at the time that the abduction was an "ultimatum to the Chinese companies that cooperate with the Niger army". He was released after several days of negotiations. Several other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in Mali in the last decade, including four French citizens in 2010 who were released three years later, and a Germany NGO worker in 2018 in Tillaberi who was never found. Landlocked Niger faces attacks by the Nigerian jihadist group Boko Haram from the southeast, and IS and al-Qaeda groups from the western border with Mali. On March 21, several hamlets in the Tahoua region which borders Tillaberi were struck by coordinated attacks that killed 141 people -- the most deadly presumed jihadist assault in Niger in recent years.

Two Chinese mining employees kidnapped in western Niger

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining.

Bolsonaro was seen in a video listening to local indigenous leader in Maturaca, an Amazon village in the Yanomami reservation.

In the meeting, which took place on Thursday, the leaders asked Bolsonaro to protect their lands from the threat of mining. A Yanomami warrior presented him with a bunch of long arrows that the president held as he spoke to the community.

"Your wishes will be respected. If you do not want mining, there will be no mining," Bolsonaro said.

But he added that other indigenous people in the Amazon and outside the Amazon wanted to mine their land and grow crops, "and we will respect that right of theirs."

Bolsonaro promised Yanomami people that they wouldn't be forced by law to accept mining on their lands.

"It was very good. He made a speech saying that our territory is not threatened by mining," Jose Mario Goes, head of the Yanomami Association of the River Cauaburi and Tributaries, told Reuters by phone.

Bolsonaro did not discuss the gold rush happening at the eastern end of the Yanomami reservation, in the state of Roraima, where more than 20,000 wildcat miners have invaded protected indigenous lands, bringing in malaria and the risk of COVID-19 infections, as well as incidents of violence.

Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time since he became head of state.

But some indigenous leaders had asked him not to visit their lands, complaining that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in what they said was a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year.

Bolsonaro also inaugurated a 20-meter wooden bridge built by the Brazilian army on the Balaio reservation where the Tukano indigenous people live and where major reserves of niobium have been found.

The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that he argues Brazil must exploit.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining.

Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro has promised a Yanomani community that he will keep mining out of their reservation in the Amazon. However, he has said that he will seek access to other indigenous lands for commercial agriculture and mining. Bolsonaro was seen in a video listening to local indigenous leader in Maturaca, an Amazon village in the Yanomami reservation. In the meeting, which took place on Thursday, the leaders asked Bolsonaro to protect their lands from the threat of mining. A Yanomami warrior presented him with a bunch of long arrows that the president held as he spoke to the community. "Your wishes will be respected. If you do not want mining, there will be no mining," Bolsonaro said. But he added that other indigenous people in the Amazon and outside the Amazon wanted to mine their land and grow crops, "and we will respect that right of theirs." Bolsonaro promised Yanomami people that they wouldn't be forced by law to accept mining on their lands. "It was very good. He made a speech saying that our territory is not threatened by mining," Jose Mario Goes, head of the Yanomami Association of the River Cauaburi and Tributaries, told Reuters by phone. Bolsonaro did not discuss the gold rush happening at the eastern end of the Yanomami reservation, in the state of Roraima, where more than 20,000 wildcat miners have invaded protected indigenous lands, bringing in malaria and the risk of COVID-19 infections, as well as incidents of violence. Bolsonaro visited two indigenous reservations in the Amazon on Thursday for the first time since he became head of state. But some indigenous leaders had asked him not to visit their lands, complaining that he only met with unrepresentative chiefs in what they said was a photo opportunity for his re-election campaign next year. Bolsonaro also inaugurated a 20-meter wooden bridge built by the Brazilian army on the Balaio reservation where the Tukano indigenous people live and where major reserves of niobium have been found. The metal is used to make light-weight steel for jet engines and other special applications. Bolsonaro has regularly mentioned its value in speeches about the untapped riches of the Amazon that he argues Brazil must exploit. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil President Bolsonaro to keep mining out of indigenous lands in Amazon

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has banned mining and imposed a no-flight zone in the north-western state of Zamfara. This comes after the abduction of almost 300 school girls last week.

Nigeria imposes a no flight zone in Zamfara, action after kidnapping incident

CEO of mining company Rio Tinto resigned as destruction of a 46 thousand-year-old sacred indigenous site came back to haunt him. Jean-Sébastien Jacques, who was leading Rio Tinto since 2016 parted ways with the company along with his two deputies. The development came after a shareholder outcry and bad PR due to Rio Tinto detonating a sacred aboriginal site in Australia. The site was 46 thousand-year-old.

Activists and investors said Rio had fallen short in an earlier board-led review into how the miner legally detonated rockshelters showing 46,000 years of human habitation at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia against the wishes of traditional owners. The review had recommended cutting short-term bonuses for some executives.

Jacques last month apologised at an Australian Senate enquiry into the destruction of the caves, saying there was no doubt the company could have made better decisions.

Rio Tinto detonated the aboriginal site in order to gain access to USD 135 million of high grade Iron ore.&nbsp;

This drew international condemnation and damaged the miner's reputation for dealing with indigenous groups in its worldwide operations.

"What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation," Rio chairman Simon Thompson said on Friday.

The traditional owners of the land, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people said they had no comment on the executive changes, but would continue to work with Rio Tinto.

"We cannot and will not allow this type of devastation to occur ever again," the PKKP said in a statement.

Rio said a search was already underway to replace Jacques. The board praised his leadership and pointed to his sale of the group's coal assets, development of a climate change strategy and strong shareholder returns under his tenure.

Rio shares drifted down 0.7 percent in Australian trade, in line with a softer broader market.

The controversy, meanwhile, has spilled over to the rest of the sector, with BHP Group and Fortescue Metals Group both pledging to review mine plans that could threaten sacred sites as they step up talks with traditional owners.

(With Reuers inputs) 
&nbsp;

CEO of mining company Rio Tinto resigned as destruction of a 46 thousand-year-old sacred indigenous site came back to haunt him. Jean-Sébastien Jacques, who was leading Rio Tinto since 2016 parted ways with the company along with his two deputies.

CEO of mining company Rio Tinto resigned as destruction of a 46 thousand-year-old sacred indigenous site came back to haunt him. Jean-Sébastien Jacques, who was leading Rio Tinto since 2016 parted ways with the company along with his two deputies. The development came after a shareholder outcry and bad PR due to Rio Tinto detonating a sacred aboriginal site in Australia. The site was 46 thousand-year-old. Activists and investors said Rio had fallen short in an earlier board-led review into how the miner legally detonated rockshelters showing 46,000 years of human habitation at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia against the wishes of traditional owners. The review had recommended cutting short-term bonuses for some executives. Jacques last month apologised at an Australian Senate enquiry into the destruction of the caves, saying there was no doubt the company could have made better decisions. Rio Tinto detonated the aboriginal site in order to gain access to USD 135 million of high grade Iron ore. This drew international condemnation and damaged the miner's reputation for dealing with indigenous groups in its worldwide operations. "What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation," Rio chairman Simon Thompson said on Friday. The traditional owners of the land, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) people said they had no comment on the executive changes, but would continue to work with Rio Tinto. "We cannot and will not allow this type of devastation to occur ever again," the PKKP said in a statement. Rio said a search was already underway to replace Jacques. The board praised his leadership and pointed to his sale of the group's coal assets, development of a climate change strategy and strong shareholder returns under his tenure. Rio shares drifted down 0.7 percent in Australian trade, in line with a softer broader market. The controversy, meanwhile, has spilled over to the rest of the sector, with BHP Group and Fortescue Metals Group both pledging to review mine plans that could threaten sacred sites as they step up talks with traditional owners. (With Reuers inputs)

Rio Tinto CEO resigns after company destroys 46,000-year-old sacred site

More than 200,000 Brazilian people and groups will next week kick off a 5 billion-pound lawsuit against Anglo-Australian miner BHP in Britain over a 2015 dam failure that led to Brazil's worst environmental disaster.

The group claim, one of the largest in British legal history, has been brought on behalf of Brazilian individuals, businesses, churches, organisations, municipalities and indigenous people and will open in Manchester on July 22.&nbsp;

An initial, eight-day hearing will establish whether the case can be heard in Britain, although the judge is expected to reserve judgment until later in the year. If successful, further trials are expected to determine liability and quantify damages.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/brazil-fires-official-who-divulged-details-of-record-deforestation-in-the-amazon-313178" hreflang="en">Brazil fires official who divulged details of record-deforestation in the Amazon</a>

BHP spokesman Neil Burrows said the claim did not belong in Britain because it duplicated proceedings in Brazil and the ongoing work of the Renova Foundation, an entity created by the miner and its partners to manage reparations and repairs.

The collapse of the Fundao tailings dam, which stored mining waste and is owned by the Samarco joint venture between BHP and Brazilian iron ore mining company Vale, killed 19 and spilled roughly 40 million cubic metres of toxic sludge into communities, the Rio Doce river and Atlantic Ocean 650 km away.

Claimants allege BHP, the world's largest miner by market value, ignored safety warnings as the dam's capacity was repeatedly increased by raising its height - and disregarded cracks that pointed to early signs of rupture.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/brazil-president-bolsonaro-ventures-out-to-feed-birds-during-covid-19-recovery-313150" hreflang="en">Brazil President Bolsonaro ventures out to feed birds during COVID-19 recovery</a>

"The public companies at the top of the BHP group structure, which we firmly believe bear ultimate responsibility for the disaster, have until now been insulated from its consequences within the Brazilian legal system," said Tom Goodhead, a partner at law firm PGMBM, which represents the claimants.

Goodhead said Brazilian environmental law had a long reach and imposed strict liability for environmental damage.

More than 200,000 Brazilian people and groups will next week kick off a 5 billion-pound lawsuit against Anglo-Australian miner BHP in Britain over a 2015 dam failure that led to Brazil's worst environmental disaster.

More than 200,000 Brazilian people and groups will next week kick off a 5 billion-pound lawsuit against Anglo-Australian miner BHP in Britain over a 2015 dam failure that led to Brazil's worst environmental disaster. The group claim, one of the largest in British legal history, has been brought on behalf of Brazilian individuals, businesses, churches, organisations, municipalities and indigenous people and will open in Manchester on July 22. An initial, eight-day hearing will establish whether the case can be heard in Britain, although the judge is expected to reserve judgment until later in the year. If successful, further trials are expected to determine liability and quantify damages. Also read: Brazil fires official who divulged details of record-deforestation in the Amazon BHP spokesman Neil Burrows said the claim did not belong in Britain because it duplicated proceedings in Brazil and the ongoing work of the Renova Foundation, an entity created by the miner and its partners to manage reparations and repairs. The collapse of the Fundao tailings dam, which stored mining waste and is owned by the Samarco joint venture between BHP and Brazilian iron ore mining company Vale, killed 19 and spilled roughly 40 million cubic metres of toxic sludge into communities, the Rio Doce river and Atlantic Ocean 650 km away. Claimants allege BHP, the world's largest miner by market value, ignored safety warnings as the dam's capacity was repeatedly increased by raising its height - and disregarded cracks that pointed to early signs of rupture. Also read: Brazil President Bolsonaro ventures out to feed birds during COVID-19 recovery "The public companies at the top of the BHP group structure, which we firmly believe bear ultimate responsibility for the disaster, have until now been insulated from its consequences within the Brazilian legal system," said Tom Goodhead, a partner at law firm PGMBM, which represents the claimants. Goodhead said Brazilian environmental law had a long reach and imposed strict liability for environmental damage.

BHP faces first step in $6.3 billion UK claim over Brazil dam failure

Mining company Rio Tinto has issued an apology after blowing up a 46,000-year-old sacred indigenous site with dynamites to expand Australia's iron ore mine.

This mining company is one of the largest with vast operations in Australia. The iron ore mines account for more than half of its total revenue.&nbsp;

The site they blew up was situated in Juukan Gorge, in Western Australia state's resource-rich Pilbara region. It&nbsp;had two cave systems which consisted of artefacts indicating tens of thousands of years of continuous human occupation.

According to CNN, grinding stones, a bone sharpened into a tool and 4,000-year-old braided hair were among almost 7,000 relics that had been discovered at the site.&nbsp;

The site was demolished despite a seven-year legal battle by the local custodians of the land, the Puutu Kunti Kurama and Pinikura People, to protect the site.

The CEO of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Chris Salisbury issued a statement on Sunday, which read: "We pay our respects to the Puutu Kunti Kurama and Pinikura People (PKKP)."

"We are sorry for the distress we have caused. Our relationship with the PKKP matters a lot to Rio Tinto, having worked together for many years," the statement said.

"We will continue to work with the PKKP to learn from what has taken place and strengthen our partnership. As a matter of urgency, we are reviewing the plans of all other sites in the Juukan Gorge area."

"At Juukan, in partnership with the PKKP, we followed a heritage approval process for more than 10 years. In 2014 we performed a large-scale exercise in the Juukan area to preserve significant cultural heritage artifacts, recovering approximately 7,000 objects," it added.

Australia's Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt condemned the "destruction" and said that it should not have occurred and ensure that it does not happen again.

He said: "The West Australian State Government needs to ensure that their legislation and approvals processes protect our Indigenous cultural heritage. It seems quite clear, that in this instance, the legislation has failed." 
&nbsp;

Mining company Rio Tinto has issued an apology after blowing up a 46,000-year-old sacred indigenous site with dynamites to expand Australia's iron ore mine. This mining company is one of the largest with vast operations in Australia.

Mining company Rio Tinto has issued an apology after blowing up a 46,000-year-old sacred indigenous site with dynamites to expand Australia's iron ore mine. This mining company is one of the largest with vast operations in Australia. The iron ore mines account for more than half of its total revenue. The site they blew up was situated in Juukan Gorge, in Western Australia state's resource-rich Pilbara region. It had two cave systems which consisted of artefacts indicating tens of thousands of years of continuous human occupation. According to CNN, grinding stones, a bone sharpened into a tool and 4,000-year-old braided hair were among almost 7,000 relics that had been discovered at the site. The site was demolished despite a seven-year legal battle by the local custodians of the land, the Puutu Kunti Kurama and Pinikura People, to protect the site. The CEO of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Chris Salisbury issued a statement on Sunday, which read: "We pay our respects to the Puutu Kunti Kurama and Pinikura People (PKKP)." "We are sorry for the distress we have caused. Our relationship with the PKKP matters a lot to Rio Tinto, having worked together for many years," the statement said. "We will continue to work with the PKKP to learn from what has taken place and strengthen our partnership. As a matter of urgency, we are reviewing the plans of all other sites in the Juukan Gorge area." "At Juukan, in partnership with the PKKP, we followed a heritage approval process for more than 10 years. In 2014 we performed a large-scale exercise in the Juukan area to preserve significant cultural heritage artifacts, recovering approximately 7,000 objects," it added. Australia's Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt condemned the "destruction" and said that it should not have occurred and ensure that it does not happen again. He said: "The West Australian State Government needs to ensure that their legislation and approvals processes protect our Indigenous cultural heritage. It seems quite clear, that in this instance, the legislation has failed."

Mining giant Rio Tinto apologises for blowing up 46,000-year-old indigenous site

A coal mine explosion killed 15 people in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twenty-killed-30-injured-in-mine-accident-in-north-china-199191">north China's</a> Shanxi province, state media reported Tuesday.

Nine other people were injured by the gas explosion on Monday afternoon, which took place in a mine owned by Shangxi Pingyao Fengyan Coal &amp; Coke Group Co, according to official news agency Xinhua.

Xinhua reported that 35 miners were working underground when the blast happened, but 11 miners were able to escape.

The injured miners were in stable condition and authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion, Xinhua said.

Deadly mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record.

At a meeting last week, the State Council, China's cabinet,&nbsp;ordered a "special crackdown on production-related safety issues" to "further improve workplace safety", Xinhua reported.

In December 2018, seven miners were killed&nbsp;in southwestern Chongqing municipality after the connecting segment of a mining skip broke and fell down a mine shaft.

In October 2018, 21 miners died in eastern Shandong province after pressure inside a mine caused rocks to fracture and break, blocking the tunnel and trapping the workers. Only one miner was rescued alive.

In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia&nbsp;region and in northeastern Heilongjiang province killed at least 59 people.

A coal mine explosion killed 15 people in north China's Shanxi province, state media reported Tuesday. Nine other people were injured by the gas explosion on Monday afternoon, which took place in a mine owned by Shangxi Pingyao Fengyan Coal & Coke Group Co, according to official news agency Xinhua.

A coal mine explosion killed 15 people in north China's Shanxi province, state media reported Tuesday. Nine other people were injured by the gas explosion on Monday afternoon, which took place in a mine owned by Shangxi Pingyao Fengyan Coal & Coke Group Co, according to official news agency Xinhua. Xinhua reported that 35 miners were working underground when the blast happened, but 11 miners were able to escape. The injured miners were in stable condition and authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion, Xinhua said. Deadly mining accidents are common in China, where the industry has a poor safety record. At a meeting last week, the State Council, China's cabinet, ordered a "special crackdown on production-related safety issues" to "further improve workplace safety", Xinhua reported. In December 2018, seven miners were killed in southwestern Chongqing municipality after the connecting segment of a mining skip broke and fell down a mine shaft. In October 2018, 21 miners died in eastern Shandong province after pressure inside a mine caused rocks to fracture and break, blocking the tunnel and trapping the workers. Only one miner was rescued alive. In December 2016, explosions in two separate coal mines in the Inner Mongolia region and in northeastern Heilongjiang province killed at least 59 people.

North China mine explosion kills 15, injures 9

Dozens of protesters were arrested and several people injured Tuesday when police and demonstrators clashed outside an international mining conference in Melbourne.

Some 50 people were detained as mounted police forced back hundreds of protesters from the convention centre hosting the International Mining and Resources Conference.

Footage posted on social media showed police using pepper spray and batons to push back protesters, with one woman sent to hospital after allegedly being trampled or kicked by a horse.

Another protester was treated for head injuries at the scene while two police were also sent to the hospital for treatment, police said.

More than 300 police officers have been deployed.

"The actions (of police) have been more than justified," Victoria Police acting commander Tim Tully told reporters after the heated altercation.

"It is in line with the training. It is in line with trying to facilitate a peaceful process," he added.

Most of the arrests relate to obstruction, Tully said, but two people were detained for "slapping a police horse in the face".

The annual mining conference is promoted as Australia's largest industry event, with thousands of delegates from over 100 countries expected to attend.&nbsp;

Australia has been actively engaged in the recent wave of climate protests across the globe.

Hundreds of thousands of children, parents, and supporters rallied across the country in September for the global climate strike led by students.

The Extinction Rebellion protests also have drawn thousands into the streets this month, with regular smaller targeted demonstrations taking place over the last couple of weeks.

The climate change protesters accused police of heavy-handed tactics on Tuesday.

"There have been some incredibly aggressive and intimating tactics from the police," protest organiser Emma Black told Channel Nine TV.&nbsp;

"Some of my friends have been thrown to the ground,&nbsp;people that were just standing around doing nothing," she added.

Dozens of protesters were arrested and several people injured Tuesday when police and demonstrators clashed outside an international mining conference in Melbourne.

Dozens of protesters were arrested and several people injured Tuesday when police and demonstrators clashed outside an international mining conference in Melbourne. Some 50 people were detained as mounted police forced back hundreds of protesters from the convention centre hosting the International Mining and Resources Conference. Footage posted on social media showed police using pepper spray and batons to push back protesters, with one woman sent to hospital after allegedly being trampled or kicked by a horse. Another protester was treated for head injuries at the scene while two police were also sent to the hospital for treatment, police said. More than 300 police officers have been deployed. "The actions (of police) have been more than justified," Victoria Police acting commander Tim Tully told reporters after the heated altercation. "It is in line with the training. It is in line with trying to facilitate a peaceful process," he added. Most of the arrests relate to obstruction, Tully said, but two people were detained for "slapping a police horse in the face". The annual mining conference is promoted as Australia's largest industry event, with thousands of delegates from over 100 countries expected to attend. Australia has been actively engaged in the recent wave of climate protests across the globe. Hundreds of thousands of children, parents, and supporters rallied across the country in September for the global climate strike led by students. The Extinction Rebellion protests also have drawn thousands into the streets this month, with regular smaller targeted demonstrations taking place over the last couple of weeks. The climate change protesters accused police of heavy-handed tactics on Tuesday. "There have been some incredibly aggressive and intimating tactics from the police," protest organiser Emma Black told Channel Nine TV. "Some of my friends have been thrown to the ground, people that were just standing around doing nothing," she added.

Dozens arrested as Australia mining protest turns violent

Three officials at a gold mine in Siberia where 15 people died after a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/at-least-15-killed-by-dam-collapse-at-siberian-gold-mine-256894"> dam collapsed</a> were arrested on Sunday, the Russian authorities said.

"The head of the gold mining company Sissim and the manager and foreman of the mining site have been arrested," the Investigative Committee, a powerful inquiry agency, said in a statement.

The three have been taken to Krasnoyarsk for questioning, it said.

In addition to the 15 deaths, six people were listed as missing on Saturday after the dam on the Seiba River burst and flooded cabins where workers were living.

The Investigative Committee said raids had been carried out on the company's premises.

"Violations committed during gold mining" were being considered as the lead cause of the accident, it said.

Officials said the dam had been built in breach of safety rules and claimed that the authorities were not even aware of its existence.

A search operation has been launched but bad weather has prevented the use of aviation, the Emergency Situations Ministry said.

The tragedy drew fresh attention to mining practices in Russia, which holds some of the largest gold reserves in the world.

It extracted nearly 300 tonnes last year, mostly by large companies.

Other production comes from artisanal teams involved in alluvial production, using techniques that environmentalists say badly damages river life. 
&nbsp;

Three officials at a gold mine in Siberia where 15 people died after a dam collapsed were arrested on Sunday, the Russian authorities said. "The head of the gold mining company Sissim and the manager and foreman of the mining site have been arrested," the Investigative Committee, a powerful inquiry agency, said in a statement.

Three officials at a gold mine in Siberia where 15 people died after a dam collapsed were arrested on Sunday, the Russian authorities said. "The head of the gold mining company Sissim and the manager and foreman of the mining site have been arrested," the Investigative Committee, a powerful inquiry agency, said in a statement. The three have been taken to Krasnoyarsk for questioning, it said. In addition to the 15 deaths, six people were listed as missing on Saturday after the dam on the Seiba River burst and flooded cabins where workers were living. The Investigative Committee said raids had been carried out on the company's premises. "Violations committed during gold mining" were being considered as the lead cause of the accident, it said. Officials said the dam had been built in breach of safety rules and claimed that the authorities were not even aware of its existence. A search operation has been launched but bad weather has prevented the use of aviation, the Emergency Situations Ministry said. The tragedy drew fresh attention to mining practices in Russia, which holds some of the largest gold reserves in the world. It extracted nearly 300 tonnes last year, mostly by large companies. Other production comes from artisanal teams involved in alluvial production, using techniques that environmentalists say badly damages river life.

Three arrested after dam mishap in Siberia

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter is looking at investing $100 billion in India in petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining among many other sectors.

At a time when India is facing an economic slowdown, Saudi Arabia is likely to invest $ 100 billion in different areas, considering the country’s growth potential.

In an interview to a leading Indian news agency, Saudi Ambassador Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati said that the Arab nation is eyeing on having a long term partnership with India in various sectors including oil, gas, agriculture and mining.

This announcement comes days after oil giant Aramco and reliance industries announced a strategic tie-up with Saudi Aramco proposing to invest $44 billion in the west coast refinery and a petrochemical project in Maharashtra.

Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of India's energy security, being a source of 17% crude oil and 32% LPG requirements in India with the current bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia at $34 billion.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter is looking at investing $100 billion in India in petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining among many other sectors.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter is looking at investing $100 billion in India in petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining among many other sectors. At a time when India is facing an economic slowdown, Saudi Arabia is likely to invest $ 100 billion in different areas, considering the country’s growth potential. In an interview to a leading Indian news agency, Saudi Ambassador Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati said that the Arab nation is eyeing on having a long term partnership with India in various sectors including oil, gas, agriculture and mining. This announcement comes days after oil giant Aramco and reliance industries announced a strategic tie-up with Saudi Aramco proposing to invest $44 billion in the west coast refinery and a petrochemical project in Maharashtra. Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of India's energy security, being a source of 17% crude oil and 32% LPG requirements in India with the current bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia at $34 billion.

Saudi Arabia looking at $100-billion investment in Indian petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining

Members of an indigenous tribe in the<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions/in-brazils-rainforests-the-worst-fires-are-likely-still-to-come-248685"> Amazon</a> in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income.

Hundreds of miners and members of the Munduruku tribe in Para state blocked the BR-163 highway at Moraes Almeida town for five days, paralyzing the key transport route and halting hundreds of trucks loaded with soy, corn, and gasoline.

The roadblock was lifted Friday afternoon after President Jair Bolsonaro's government agreed to meet with representatives of the protesters on Monday in the capital, Brasilia.

The demonstrators are demanding wildcat miners be allowed to mine on indigenous territory.

They also insist on the government's environmental protection agency Ibama stop burning mining equipment and vehicles during raids on illegal operations.

"Wildcat miners are the ones who destroy (the environment) the least," Gilson Speare, a gold prospector for the past 12 years, told AFP at the roadblock.

"We just want (the government) to legalize wildcat mining, that's all we want."

Indigenous tribes that permit wildcat mining receive a 10 percent cut of the gold found on their land, mining and indigenous protesters told AFP.

The demonstrators vow to block the highway again if their demands are not met.

Bolsonaro, who came to power in January on a promise to open up the Amazon rainforest to more development, has called for the legalization of wildcat mining, including on indigenous land.

"Wildcat miners are the only ones helping people without jobs," Carlos Augusto Cabace, a Munduruku leader at the protest, told AFP.

"When they take out 20 grams (of gold), 30 grams, that brings in a lot of money."

But many indigenous people, including members of the Munduruku tribe, are opposed to mining.

They complain that illegal prospectors invade their land, threaten them with violence, pollute rivers and destroy the forest where they mine.

"These Munduruku are sick," Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader based in Santarem, told AFP in a WhatsApp message.

"They are being commanded by the wildcat miners who are wiping out Munduruku land."

'We pay the price'

The protest comes as thousands of fires rage in the Amazon rain forest, which has ignited a global outcry and diplomatic spat between Bolsonaro and European leaders critical of his handling of the crisis.

Para has been one of the worst affected states in the Amazon. This week several blazes could be seen near the roadblock and smoke mixed with dust hung in the air.

Thousands of trucks usually ply the BR-163 every day, transporting grain from Sinop in the central west state of Mato Grosso to ports in Miritituba or Santarem in Para.

Many drivers spent several days in the queue that snaked for kilometers along the asphalt highway.

"We have nothing to do with their problems," Miguel Arcanjo, 58, complained to AFP after spending more than two days stuck in Moraes Almeida with his load of corn.

"When you stop the highway, we pay the price," said Charles Leandro de Carvalho, 36.

"If you stop the trucks, you stop Brazil."

Members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income.

Members of an indigenous tribe in the Amazon in northern Brazil on Friday called for wildcat miners to be allowed to prospect for gold on their land, saying it was a source of income. Hundreds of miners and members of the Munduruku tribe in Para state blocked the BR-163 highway at Moraes Almeida town for five days, paralyzing the key transport route and halting hundreds of trucks loaded with soy, corn, and gasoline. The roadblock was lifted Friday afternoon after President Jair Bolsonaro's government agreed to meet with representatives of the protesters on Monday in the capital, Brasilia. The demonstrators are demanding wildcat miners be allowed to mine on indigenous territory. They also insist on the government's environmental protection agency Ibama stop burning mining equipment and vehicles during raids on illegal operations. "Wildcat miners are the ones who destroy (the environment) the least," Gilson Speare, a gold prospector for the past 12 years, told AFP at the roadblock. "We just want (the government) to legalize wildcat mining, that's all we want." Indigenous tribes that permit wildcat mining receive a 10 percent cut of the gold found on their land, mining and indigenous protesters told AFP. The demonstrators vow to block the highway again if their demands are not met. Bolsonaro, who came to power in January on a promise to open up the Amazon rainforest to more development, has called for the legalization of wildcat mining, including on indigenous land. "Wildcat miners are the only ones helping people without jobs," Carlos Augusto Cabace, a Munduruku leader at the protest, told AFP. "When they take out 20 grams (of gold), 30 grams, that brings in a lot of money." But many indigenous people, including members of the Munduruku tribe, are opposed to mining. They complain that illegal prospectors invade their land, threaten them with violence, pollute rivers and destroy the forest where they mine. "These Munduruku are sick," Alessandra Korap Munduruku, a tribal leader based in Santarem, told AFP in a WhatsApp message. "They are being commanded by the wildcat miners who are wiping out Munduruku land." 'We pay the price' The protest comes as thousands of fires rage in the Amazon rain forest, which has ignited a global outcry and diplomatic spat between Bolsonaro and European leaders critical of his handling of the crisis. Para has been one of the worst affected states in the Amazon. This week several blazes could be seen near the roadblock and smoke mixed with dust hung in the air. Thousands of trucks usually ply the BR-163 every day, transporting grain from Sinop in the central west state of Mato Grosso to ports in Miritituba or Santarem in Para. Many drivers spent several days in the queue that snaked for kilometers along the asphalt highway. "We have nothing to do with their problems," Miguel Arcanjo, 58, complained to AFP after spending more than two days stuck in Moraes Almeida with his load of corn. "When you stop the highway, we pay the price," said Charles Leandro de Carvalho, 36. "If you stop the trucks, you stop Brazil."

Tribal leaders in Brazil call for legalization of wildcat mining

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre, CBI and five states on a petition seeking investigation into alleged illegal sand mining. A bench headed by Justice SA Bobde sought a response from the Ministry of Environment and Fores (MoEF), Ministry of Mines, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in this regard.&nbsp;

During the course of the proceedings, advocates Prashant Bhushan and Pranav Sachdeva, appearing for petitioner M Alagarsamy, argued that illegal sand mining is going on across the country.&nbsp;

"It is a rampant problem across the country which needs to be tackled immediately," Bhushan contended. Quoting a media article, Bhushan submitted that a special investigation team, headed by a senior IAS officer, has revealed illegal mining of 1 crore metric tonnes of beach sand from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;

Alagarsamy sought a direction to the investigating agency to register and investigate the "scams" highlighted by him.&nbsp;

The petition said that a direction should be issued to the Centre not to grant environment clearance for sand mining projects without taking into account the cumulative impact of the sand mining in the entire area.&nbsp;

It pleaded for prosecution and termination of the leases of those entities that were found to have committed illegal sand mining. The plea sought denial of environment clearance to any sand mining project without procuring a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management plan (EMP) and public consultation, and appraisal as per the EIA Notification, 2006.&nbsp;

The petition submitted that the court should direct the Centre and states to cease all river and beach sand mining activities owing to the non-implementation of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 and office memorandum dated December 24, 3013. A direction was also sought by the petitioner to the MoEF to constitute a committee for monitoring all such activities along with investigation and registration of cases against illegal mining by the CBI.&nbsp;

The Centre and states should ensure the existence of an approved mining plan under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, for all sand mining projects, the petition added.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre, CBI and five states on a petition seeking investigation into alleged illegal sand mining. A bench headed by Justice SA Bobde sought a response from the Ministry of Environment and Fores (MoEF), Ministry of Mines, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in this regard.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre, CBI and five states on a petition seeking investigation into alleged illegal sand mining. A bench headed by Justice SA Bobde sought a response from the Ministry of Environment and Fores (MoEF), Ministry of Mines, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in this regard. During the course of the proceedings, advocates Prashant Bhushan and Pranav Sachdeva, appearing for petitioner M Alagarsamy, argued that illegal sand mining is going on across the country. "It is a rampant problem across the country which needs to be tackled immediately," Bhushan contended. Quoting a media article, Bhushan submitted that a special investigation team, headed by a senior IAS officer, has revealed illegal mining of 1 crore metric tonnes of beach sand from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu. Alagarsamy sought a direction to the investigating agency to register and investigate the "scams" highlighted by him. The petition said that a direction should be issued to the Centre not to grant environment clearance for sand mining projects without taking into account the cumulative impact of the sand mining in the entire area. It pleaded for prosecution and termination of the leases of those entities that were found to have committed illegal sand mining. The plea sought denial of environment clearance to any sand mining project without procuring a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental management plan (EMP) and public consultation, and appraisal as per the EIA Notification, 2006. The petition submitted that the court should direct the Centre and states to cease all river and beach sand mining activities owing to the non-implementation of the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016 and office memorandum dated December 24, 3013. A direction was also sought by the petitioner to the MoEF to constitute a committee for monitoring all such activities along with investigation and registration of cases against illegal mining by the CBI. The Centre and states should ensure the existence of an approved mining plan under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, for all sand mining projects, the petition added.

llegal sand mining: Supreme Court seeks response from Centre, CBI and 5 states

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/illegal-sand-mining-ap-to-use-gps-to-curb-menace-141153">Beach sand mining</a> ban on private players has resulted in the loss of exports worth Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore in revenue, mining body FIMI has said, demanding to rescind the order.

In its latest report "Mining Matters for India", Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) said the ban has put a large number of jobs at stake.

"In the case of beach sand minerals (BSM), the private sector has been debarred for mining, putting numerous jobs at stake and depriving the country of revenue to the extent of Rs 5,000 crore and exports of about Rs 4,000 crore annually," FIMI said in its latest report.

At present, only government companies are allowed to engage in beach sand mining after the Ministry of Mines vide a notification in February this year banned the private players.

"The Government should improve the regulatory mechanism and private sector should be continued to be allowed for mining of beach sand minerals and the Ministry of Mines notification...Barring private sector should be rescinded," it said.

The report also highlights Fimi's demand for considering the mining as an 'Independent Activity', and not as captive to any downstream metal industry such as steel, aluminium.

"While mining is a business of volumes, captive mining limits the scale of mining, neglects mineral exploration limited to plant requirement, leads to selective mining and wastage of resources," the report said.

The private sector in future should be the main source of investment in reconnaissance, exploration and mining with right to seamless transition, transferability with security of tenure, it said adding, the government agencies such as GSI, MECL etc may continue to perform the exploration and surveys on regional basis and in areas where private investment is not forthcoming.

"The Government of India should create a level playing field for both private (captive and non-captive) and Government sector companies in terms of tenure of leases, area selection, etc," it added.

Much of the contribution made by the mining industry to ensure raw material security for India's sustainable growth has not received the due attention of the stakeholders and society at large, it said.

FIMI also demanded that the contribution of mining should be viewed in light of the multiplier effect it has across the entire economy and not just its monetary contribution to GDP.

The industry body is committed to contributing to the sustained growth of the mineral sector in a sustainable manner for economic growth, raw material security of the country and socio-economic development particularly in remote and tribal areas, it said, and urged the government to initiate steps to ensure its rightful position as a growth engine in the economy and unlock the full potential of the Indian mineral sector.

Beach sand mining ban on private players has resulted in the loss of exports worth Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore in revenue, mining body FIMI has said, demanding to rescind the order.

Beach sand mining ban on private players has resulted in the loss of exports worth Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore in revenue, mining body FIMI has said, demanding to rescind the order. In its latest report "Mining Matters for India", Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) said the ban has put a large number of jobs at stake. "In the case of beach sand minerals (BSM), the private sector has been debarred for mining, putting numerous jobs at stake and depriving the country of revenue to the extent of Rs 5,000 crore and exports of about Rs 4,000 crore annually," FIMI said in its latest report. At present, only government companies are allowed to engage in beach sand mining after the Ministry of Mines vide a notification in February this year banned the private players. "The Government should improve the regulatory mechanism and private sector should be continued to be allowed for mining of beach sand minerals and the Ministry of Mines notification...Barring private sector should be rescinded," it said. The report also highlights Fimi's demand for considering the mining as an 'Independent Activity', and not as captive to any downstream metal industry such as steel, aluminium. "While mining is a business of volumes, captive mining limits the scale of mining, neglects mineral exploration limited to plant requirement, leads to selective mining and wastage of resources," the report said. The private sector in future should be the main source of investment in reconnaissance, exploration and mining with right to seamless transition, transferability with security of tenure, it said adding, the government agencies such as GSI, MECL etc may continue to perform the exploration and surveys on regional basis and in areas where private investment is not forthcoming. "The Government of India should create a level playing field for both private (captive and non-captive) and Government sector companies in terms of tenure of leases, area selection, etc," it added. Much of the contribution made by the mining industry to ensure raw material security for India's sustainable growth has not received the due attention of the stakeholders and society at large, it said. FIMI also demanded that the contribution of mining should be viewed in light of the multiplier effect it has across the entire economy and not just its monetary contribution to GDP. The industry body is committed to contributing to the sustained growth of the mineral sector in a sustainable manner for economic growth, raw material security of the country and socio-economic development particularly in remote and tribal areas, it said, and urged the government to initiate steps to ensure its rightful position as a growth engine in the economy and unlock the full potential of the Indian mineral sector.

Federation of Indian Mineral Industries urges govt to lift beach sand mining ban on private firms

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-resumes-search-for-missing-after-dam-collapse-ends-evacuation-193244">death toll</a> from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dam-collapses-in-brazil-several-feared-dead-192820">collapse of a Brazilian dam</a> rose to 84 on Tuesday as mining giant Vale announced that moves to dismantle similar structures would hit production.

Brazilian authorities are stepping up their probe of Vale, with five engineers involved in the operating licenses and the last inspection of the dam arrested on prosecutors' orders in the state of Minas Gerais, where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-defect-found-in-brazil-dam-during-german-inspection-month-ago-193011">the disaster occurred</a> Friday at one of the firm's mines.

Flavio Godinho, Civil Defense spokesman in Minas Gerais, said the death toll had increased from 65 to 84, while the number of missing fell from 292 to 276.

Shares in Vale — the world's biggest iron ore miner — meanwhile ticked up nearly two per cent in Sao Paulo, still far from recovering from a 24-per cent wipeout suffered on Monday.

The company said it will freeze operations around 10 dams in Brazil to dismantle structures such as the one that resulted in the Friday disaster — a move that will reduce annual iron ore production by 10 per cent or 40 million tons.

The dam collapse at the Vale mine near the town of Brumadinho occurred three years after a similar disaster at another one of its sights in the same region.

That 2015 dam rupture, near Mariana, killed 19 people and caused what was considered the worst environmental catastrophe Brazil had seen.

After the latest disaster, credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Vale's score, and Moody's said it had the company under review for a downgrade.

Three US law firms were also making moves toward starting a class-action lawsuit against the miner.

Brazilian media speculated that Vale's board and top executives might be replaced. The overwhelming majority of the dead and missing were workers at the mine.

Authorities have ordered $3 billion in Vale assets be frozen to pay for fines, compensation and employee salaries to families.

"If there has truly been negligence or recklessness by certain people in that company, they will face criminal action," Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao vowed Monday.

Search for bodies&nbsp;

The search for bodies was ongoing Tuesday, with a team of Israeli soldiers joining Brazilian crews who have been laboriously probing for days the expanse of mud released by the dam.

The barrier, which was in the process of being decommissioned, held around 13 million tons of tailings, or sludgy mining waste.

Men were digging, often by hand, to depths of up to 15 meters (50 feet) to recover corpses encased in mud. The remains were then bagged and airlifted away by helicopter.

The fetid odour of decomposing bodies rose from the brown surface.

With a dozen kilometers (eight miles) of mud to carefully scour, the operation has proceeded slowly, barely denting the long list of the missing.

Jose Ferreira da Silva, a 55-year-old labourer, was blocked by police as he attempted to enter the zone to look for his 27-year-old son Josue, who worked for a Vale contractor.

"We just want to try to do something," he said, tearfully.

No survivors have been found since Saturday, only bodies.

Corrego do Feijao, the closest village to the mine, has been in mourning since the disaster. Most of its inhabitants work for Vale, and 20 of their number were missing.

"I'm living a horror film. These are people I grew up with. I don't know how I'm going to get through this," said Cleyton Candido, who was waiting on news of his missing nephew and several friends.

The toxicity of the mineral-laced sludge was not yet known. But an indigenous community downstream complained that fish it relies on for its livelihood were dying.

Brazil's authorities feared pollution from the mine waste could reach hydro-electric power plants between early and mid-February.

The environmental group WWF said that a forest area "equivalent to 125 football fields" had been lost, and it was still too early to know the full ecological scope of the disaster.

Public anger

The tragedy has turned public opinion against Vale.

On Monday, dozens of people staged a protest with mud in front of the company's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Newspaper editorials blasted it — and the government — for not learning the lessons of the 2015 Mariana disaster.

Minas Gerais prosecutors said they have launched a probe "evaluating the criminal responsibility of the Vale company."

The five engineers arrested were part of that investigation. They were to be held for up to 30 days for questioning.

Three of the engineers work for Vale and were directly involved in the process of the facility's operating licenses, the prosecutors said.

The other two worked for TUEV SUED, a German company that in September carried out the last safety inspection of the collapsed mine.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The death toll from the collapse of a Brazilian dam rose to 84 on Tuesday as mining giant Vale announced that moves to dismantle similar structures would hit production.

The death toll from the collapse of a Brazilian dam rose to 84 on Tuesday as mining giant Vale announced that moves to dismantle similar structures would hit production. Brazilian authorities are stepping up their probe of Vale, with five engineers involved in the operating licenses and the last inspection of the dam arrested on prosecutors' orders in the state of Minas Gerais, where the disaster occurred Friday at one of the firm's mines. Flavio Godinho, Civil Defense spokesman in Minas Gerais, said the death toll had increased from 65 to 84, while the number of missing fell from 292 to 276. Shares in Vale — the world's biggest iron ore miner — meanwhile ticked up nearly two per cent in Sao Paulo, still far from recovering from a 24-per cent wipeout suffered on Monday. The company said it will freeze operations around 10 dams in Brazil to dismantle structures such as the one that resulted in the Friday disaster — a move that will reduce annual iron ore production by 10 per cent or 40 million tons. The dam collapse at the Vale mine near the town of Brumadinho occurred three years after a similar disaster at another one of its sights in the same region. That 2015 dam rupture, near Mariana, killed 19 people and caused what was considered the worst environmental catastrophe Brazil had seen. After the latest disaster, credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Vale's score, and Moody's said it had the company under review for a downgrade. Three US law firms were also making moves toward starting a class-action lawsuit against the miner. Brazilian media speculated that Vale's board and top executives might be replaced. The overwhelming majority of the dead and missing were workers at the mine. Authorities have ordered $3 billion in Vale assets be frozen to pay for fines, compensation and employee salaries to families. "If there has truly been negligence or recklessness by certain people in that company, they will face criminal action," Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao vowed Monday. Search for bodies The search for bodies was ongoing Tuesday, with a team of Israeli soldiers joining Brazilian crews who have been laboriously probing for days the expanse of mud released by the dam. The barrier, which was in the process of being decommissioned, held around 13 million tons of tailings, or sludgy mining waste. Men were digging, often by hand, to depths of up to 15 meters (50 feet) to recover corpses encased in mud. The remains were then bagged and airlifted away by helicopter. The fetid odour of decomposing bodies rose from the brown surface. With a dozen kilometers (eight miles) of mud to carefully scour, the operation has proceeded slowly, barely denting the long list of the missing. Jose Ferreira da Silva, a 55-year-old labourer, was blocked by police as he attempted to enter the zone to look for his 27-year-old son Josue, who worked for a Vale contractor. "We just want to try to do something," he said, tearfully. No survivors have been found since Saturday, only bodies. Corrego do Feijao, the closest village to the mine, has been in mourning since the disaster. Most of its inhabitants work for Vale, and 20 of their number were missing. "I'm living a horror film. These are people I grew up with. I don't know how I'm going to get through this," said Cleyton Candido, who was waiting on news of his missing nephew and several friends. The toxicity of the mineral-laced sludge was not yet known. But an indigenous community downstream complained that fish it relies on for its livelihood were dying. Brazil's authorities feared pollution from the mine waste could reach hydro-electric power plants between early and mid-February. The environmental group WWF said that a forest area "equivalent to 125 football fields" had been lost, and it was still too early to know the full ecological scope of the disaster. Public anger The tragedy has turned public opinion against Vale. On Monday, dozens of people staged a protest with mud in front of the company's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. Newspaper editorials blasted it — and the government — for not learning the lessons of the 2015 Mariana disaster. Minas Gerais prosecutors said they have launched a probe "evaluating the criminal responsibility of the Vale company." The five engineers arrested were part of that investigation. They were to be held for up to 30 days for questioning. Three of the engineers work for Vale and were directly involved in the process of the facility's operating licenses, the prosecutors said. The other two worked for TUEV SUED, a German company that in September carried out the last safety inspection of the collapsed mine.

Brazil dam burst: Toll rises to 84, mining firm's output to be hit

In pictures: Brazil dam collapse leaves hundreds missing, horror in its wake

A Navy rescue team on Thursday pulled out a miner's body&nbsp;from a 370-feet deep&nbsp;flooded coal mine in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-rescue-navy-divers-return-without-any-trace-of-trapped-miners-187408">Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills</a> district where 14 miners still remain trapped since December 13.

Rescuers have recovered a body from the site of a "rat-hole" mining accident.

The miners were trapped on December 13 when their illegal mine was flooded. The state banned unregulated mining in 2014 but it still goes on in some places.

"We have recovered the body and it is heavily decomposed," said Santosh Kumar Singh, an official from the National Disaster Response Force.

Thousands of workers, including children, have been killed in so-called rat-hole mines, which involve miners crawling into narrow shafts on bamboo ladders to dig for low-quality coal, in Meghalaya.

Rescue officials located the body last week, but it took time to bring it to the surface from inside a crevice. The officials sought guidance from forensic experts.

Families and relatives of the trapped miners have given up hope that any of them will be found alive.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A Navy rescue team on Thursday pulled out a miner's body from a 370-feet deep flooded coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district where 14 miners still remain trapped since December 13.

A Navy rescue team on Thursday pulled out a miner's body from a 370-feet deep flooded coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district where 14 miners still remain trapped since December 13. Rescuers have recovered a body from the site of a "rat-hole" mining accident. The miners were trapped on December 13 when their illegal mine was flooded. The state banned unregulated mining in 2014 but it still goes on in some places. "We have recovered the body and it is heavily decomposed," said Santosh Kumar Singh, an official from the National Disaster Response Force. Thousands of workers, including children, have been killed in so-called rat-hole mines, which involve miners crawling into narrow shafts on bamboo ladders to dig for low-quality coal, in Meghalaya. Rescue officials located the body last week, but it took time to bring it to the surface from inside a crevice. The officials sought guidance from forensic experts. Families and relatives of the trapped miners have given up hope that any of them will be found alive. (With inputs from Reuters)

Meghalaya miner’s body pulled out after 42 days, 15 workers were trapped

After remaining elusive for three days, former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy Saturday appeared before the police here in connection with an alleged ponzi scam, and denied the allegations as a "political conspiracy".

Reddy, who the police said had been absconding, came in a car to the Central Crime Branch office, along with his advocates, after releasing a video message from an unknown location, saying he would appear before it.

After arriving at the office, Reddy claimed that there was a "political conspiracy" and added that he had faith in the police.

In his video message, he said he was not absconding and was very much in the city, while asserting that there was no need for him to flee.

"I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message telecast by TV channels.

Reddy, who was a minister in the erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, said he never panicked as neither his name figured in the first information report (FIR) nor was any notice served on him.

"Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today itself though the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said.

"I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added.

The CCB police had launched a hunt for him since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

The CCB was also on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd. -- a company accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme -- to bail him out from the Enforcement Directorate investigation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had said on Wednesday that Reddy was absconding and the police were looking for him to question him in the case.&nbsp;

After remaining elusive for three days, former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy Saturday appeared before the police here in connection with an alleged ponzi scam, and denied the allegations as a "political conspiracy".

After remaining elusive for three days, former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy Saturday appeared before the police here in connection with an alleged ponzi scam, and denied the allegations as a "political conspiracy". Reddy, who the police said had been absconding, came in a car to the Central Crime Branch office, along with his advocates, after releasing a video message from an unknown location, saying he would appear before it. After arriving at the office, Reddy claimed that there was a "political conspiracy" and added that he had faith in the police. In his video message, he said he was not absconding and was very much in the city, while asserting that there was no need for him to flee. "I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message telecast by TV channels. Reddy, who was a minister in the erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, said he never panicked as neither his name figured in the first information report (FIR) nor was any notice served on him. "Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today itself though the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said. "I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added. The CCB police had launched a hunt for him since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme. The CCB was also on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd. -- a company accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme -- to bail him out from the Enforcement Directorate investigation. Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had said on Wednesday that Reddy was absconding and the police were looking for him to question him in the case.

Ponzi scam case: Mining baron Reddy appears before police for questioning

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