Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Letter to ArcelorMittal – Stop sacrificing miners in Kazakhstan

Global Action on ArcelorMittal is appalled by the recent accident in ArcelorMittal owned Tentekskaya, mines in the Karaganda region of central Kazakhstan. Five miners are feared dead following an accident on the early morning of June 2, 2008 following a cave-in and methane leak. This is the second accident in the companys Kazakh mines this year, after 30 miners were killed in a mine explosion in January. Our sincere sympathies are extended to the families of the miners who have lost their lives.

Presentation of Porto Romano Rapid Environmental Assessment

Official presentation on the Rapid Environmental Assessment for the industrial and energy park, Porto Romano, Albania.

Green Action follow-up letter with the Croatian Ministry of Environment

On July 24, 2008 Croatian Ministry of Environment responded to above letter. Download the response as pdf here.

Bankwatch Mail 37

In this issue: EU billions must help to reduce waste, not boost it * European Investment Bank urged to stop fueling the incineration fire * Zero waste, zero pain * The EIB undermines Africa * Strange bedfellows: the EIB’s huge fossil fuels portfolio is smothering clean energy initiatives * A deluge of public subsidies for Ethiopian dam projects, but public benefits missing * Public consultation on EIB environmental policy at last, but problems persist * Czech roads paved with whose gold exactly?

Sakhalin II fact-finding mission photo report

Follow-up letter to the EBRD regarding the Bautino Atash Marine and Supply Base project in Kazakshtan

Rapid Environmental Assessment for the Industrial and Energetic Park’s at Porto Romano, Durres, Albania

Introduction of cyanide leaching at the Chelopech gold and copper mine

The Chelopech Mining project is separated in two parts: Phase 1 focusing on environmental improvements; and Phase 2 proposing the expansion of metals production through the introduction of cyanide leaching technology. EBRD approved a USD 10 million loan for Phase 1 in 2004. Phase 2 has been under review since 2005, and there has been no progress due to the blocking of the project by the Bulgarian Ministry for the Environment and Waters at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stage in March 2006.

Environmental activity of the LUKOIL Company in Komi

In May 2007 the LUKOIL Company signed a USD 300 million loan contract with the EBRD and other multilateral banks to finance an environmental security scheme of the LUKOIL group subsidiaries. The borrowed funds were supposed to be used for implementing environmental projects by a number of company divisions including LUKOIL Komi LLC. The loan is believed to help decrease the volume of associated gas, reduce water consumption and pollutant content in sewage, arrange waste management and reconstruct industrial pipelines.

Who wants it? Who needs it? The Vlora coastal terminal, Albania

The terminal is to be located inside the industry park near a thermo-power plant which has already received lending support from the EBRD, European Investment Bank and the World Banks International Development Association.