MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE LONDON MINING NETWORK
7.4.2011
Rio Tinto to be slammed for abuses at next week’s AGM
The London Mining Network (LMN), an alliance of solidarity, human rights, development and environmental groups, is calling London-based Rio Tinto plc, the world’s 3rd largest publicly traded mining company, to account for its human rights and environmental abuses. The LMN will raise concerns at Rio Tinto’s 2011 AGM on Thursday 14 April at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre between 11am and 1pm. Protestors will be outside from 10am.
The LMN has arranged that representatives from local organisations in regions where Rio Tinto operates will attend the AGM. Visitors from Indonesia, and the United States will confront the company with the impacts of its activities on their communities.
[There is also a possibility of a visitor from Mongolia.]
Chalid Muhammad is Chairman of the Indonesian Green Institute and acted as a witness in negotiations between the company and communities around its now-closed Kelian gold mine in Indonesia, where numerous human rights abuses occurred. Meg Townsend works in a New York City law firm handling high-profile environmental litigation and represents Michigan groups concerned about water pollution and violations of Indigenous rights at the Eagle Mine. Cherise Udell from Utah Moms for Clean Air leads the Utah delegation.
To be confirmed - Sukhgerel Dugersuren is Executive Director of Oyu Tolgoi Watch, a coalition of Mongolian human rights organisations monitoring the impacts of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in the arid South Gobi region of Mongolia, where mining operations will deplete scarce water resources.
Chalid Muhammad of the Indonesian Green Institute says: “Rio Tinto is not what it seems. It claims to be socially responsible but it is not.”
Community representatives, with banners, will be available for comment and photo opportunities outside the AGM from 10.00am on Thursday 14 April.
They will also be available for interview between 3pm and 5pm that day. Interviews can be arranged at other times on Wednesday 13 and Friday 15 April.
Protestors from Utah, challenging the company over air pollution from its mining and smelting operations at Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, will do a colourful street theatre presentation as part of their demonstration outside the AGM at around 10.30am.
Contact:
Richard Solly, LMN Co-ordinator, on 07929 023214 for further details and to arrange interviews.