Central Tibetan Administration against any mining activities on the Tibetan PlateauTuesday, 6 October 2009, 5:02 p.m.
Dharamshala: The year 2009 (as of today) has
seen three major local oppositions against mining activities and
resource extractions inside Tibet. Even with the limited flow of
information from Tibet, some local resistance against the mining
activities on the Tibetan Plateau were heard (internationally), loud and clear and the same has been suppressed brutally;
- March 2009, Bathang county, Kham Karze
- May 2009, Ser Ngul Lo, Tsangshul Sub District, Lhara Village, Markham county, Chamdo
- June 2009, Meldro Gungkar county near Lhasa
We
still know of more silent cries and emotional worries from the local
people whose voices are muted by armed forces, but for how long?
Shethongmon mining site (Shigatse, Tibet) |
On the 22 and 23 of September 2009, a round table discussion was organized by TibetInfoNet at the International Students Hall (in London) with the representatives of Continental Minerals Corporation – CMC (This is the Canadian Mining Company which is planning to mine copper at Shethongmon, near Shigatse, Tibet).Despite
all the baseline studies and project plans put forward by the CMC
representatives, we have argued that all mining activities (whether large or small scale)
are unacceptable on the Tibetan Plateau. It is true that we welcome
modernization and activities related to economic developments inside
Tibet, but these activities or developments should not outweigh or
hamper the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage and its pristine
environment. During the meeting, wei questioned
the company’s representatives about the labor issues, ecological
footprints and other technical details about this proposed project.The CTA (Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala)
believes that the proposed mining activities will directly affect the
preservation of cultural integrity of the local Tibetan people residing
in and around the mining area. The proposed mining life of 14
(fourteen) years or more at Shethongmon would draw in lots of Chinese
workers and mining staff from mainland China resulting in the total
decimation of already marginalized Tibetan people and their culture.
The proposed mining life would automatically allow the miners to settle
permanently at the project site along with their families.
Shethongmon mining site (Shigatse, Tibet) |
It
is to our understanding that a healthy Tibetan Plateau would benefit
the entire Asian continent in promoting peace and harmony. The
environmental significance of the Tibetan Plateau is directly related
to the national security of PRC and its neighboring countries. The
proposed large scale open pit mining at Shethongmon by CMC would not
only destroy the regional ecosystem but also disregards the sanctity of
the spirits prevailing on the Tibetan Plateau. The location of the
mining site few kilometers away from Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) would
also create a huge imbalance in the regional hydrology, since the water
requirement for the primary stage of the mining would be met from
Yarlung Tsangpo. The chemicals used during the primary mining stage
would ultimately leach into the ground water and nearby water bodies.
The
following statement was made from the CTA Dharamsala representative,
Mr. Tenzin Norbu and the same has been entered in the meeting record
for future references.On behalf of the CTA, I would like to
thank TibetInfoNet for organizing this discussion and having brought
here the representatives of Continental Minerals and other friends of
Tibet who are concerned and would like to know more about this project.
Such discussions and meetings would not be possible had it been for
Chinese mining company and we thank you for this effort.All of
us here know it very clear that even if the Continental doesn’t get the
mining license after spending millions of dollars ($ 80 M USD). This project won’t stop here; somebody else would take it (hopefully not the Chinese). From our previous experiences (in 2009 only) and according to our own sources, the mining protests that took place this year clearly shows that the Tibetan people inside (and also outside) of Tibet were not happy with mining activities and were brave enough to stand against it. We all knew it very clear (from these presentations), that Canadian Standards (for mining)
are far more or much better than the Chinese Standards and we do
respect this high standard but that doesn’t mean that we are happy with
this project. We (CTA) also don’t want or intend (unconsciously) to send any wrong signals to our long time supporters (NGOs and private citizens) by taking part in this discussion. I came here specifically for two main reasons; To
listen and get more information about this project, so that we can
monitor and cross check with your project components as it proceeds. Secondly,
I am here to put across and reiterate this message, that any mining
project and activities (irrespective to any company) on the Tibetan
Plateau is unacceptable to CTA due to two main reasons;
- Loss of cultural heritage due to mass migration and settling of Chinese workers and
- Environmental or landscape destructions.
Having
said that, if, your company receives the mining license; it remains a
big task for your company to prove us wrong and even bigger challenge
for us to amend our guidelines (Guidelines for International Development Projects and Sustainable Development in Tibet, which we have distributed to your company in our earlier meeting.
Footnotes:iCTA Dharamsala, Tenzin Norbu (Mr.)Other representatives fromTibet Relief Fund, LondonTibet Foundation, LondonFrance Tibet, FranceChina Labour Bulletin, Hong KongTwo independent participants, –Scientist cum Tibetan Plateau rangeland specialist –Tibetan Geologist studying at King’s College London