Letter to DG Environment: Flaws in Environmental Impact Assessment of the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia
Publication | 25 September, 2012The Environmental and Social Impact Asessment (ESIA) for the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia has been delayed for years and comes at a time when the commercial operations are soon to begin. By including only the construction phase of the mine, the impacts of its actual operations are neglected with potentially devastating impacts on water reserves in the Gobi desert – especially because the interrelation of the deep (fossil water) and shallow aquifers that are used by herders has not been thoroughly assessed and is based only on modelling and assumptions with no monitoring data publicly available.
Read moreWorld Bank and Others Poised to Invest in Rio Tinto’s Flawed Mongolian Mining Project
Press release | 24 September, 2012Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — The World Bank Board of Directors has announced plans to consider a copper and gold mining project in the Mongolian South Gobi desert even though the Bank itself acknowledges that there is not enough water in the region to support the life of the Project. Despite ongoing community opposition to Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi mine and its associated facilities (“OT Project”), the World Bank is considering a financing package of US$900 million in loans and up to US$1 billion in political risk insurance for the OT Project in early November.
Read moreLetter to President of Ukraine calling for veto against Khmelnistky nuclear units
Publication | 20 September, 2012Bankwatch and its members appeal to Viktor Yanukovych, President of Ukraine, to stop the Ukrainian government’s plans to construct two new nuclear units at the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant. The letter asks Yanukovych to use his vetoing power and not sign the relevant law that was adopted by Ukraine’s parliament on 6 September 2012, since the law is in direct violation of Ukraine’s international obligations.
Read moreEBRD investments in Mongolia’s mining sector
Publication | 19 September, 2012International mining companies and financial institutions want to help transform Mongolia into a modern mining nation. To realise this plan they are banking on the vast coal, copper and gold deposits in the Gobi desert. This paper examines the environmental and social risks connected to this approach and offers suggestions for the EBRD’s engagement in the country. Read more on our blog
Read moreComments on the EBRD’s draft country strategy for Estonia
Publication | 19 September, 2012The comments, prepared by Estonian Green Movement/Friends of the Earth Estonia, focus on EBRD financing in the energy sector.
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The EBRD in Mongolia: Economic diversity is something else
Blog entry | 18 September, 2012Investment data for Mongolia illustrates that without improving the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s plans for the mining sector, the bank may add to the dependence on raw materials exports in resource rich countries.
Read moreThe conflict of mining and water resources in Kyrgyzstan
Publication | 18 September, 2012Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country rich in water and natural resources. It hosts one of the Earth’s most important ecological regions with unique ecosystems and biodiversity and is considered the “water tower” of Central Asia due to its Tien Shan glacier reserves. At the same time, mining operations and the mismanagement of natural resources are increasing the threats posed by climate change and pollution.
Read moreEBRD should not invest in Polish energy company suspected of corruption, say European NGOs
Press release | 17 September, 2012Warsaw – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering participating in a EUR 772 million loan for a subsidiary of major Polish energy group ENEA, whose management is currently being investigated by authorities because of alleged irregularities in management and misuse of public funds.
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Another case of alleged corruption in a CEE energy company
Blog entry | 17 September, 2012Alleged corruption at Poland’s second biggest state-owned energy company ENEA S.A. may compromise yet another project financed by European public banks.
Read moreLetter to EBRD: Potential ENEA loan is connected to corruption allegations and a coal power plant
Publication | 13 September, 2012The letter describes the controversies connected to a potential EBRD loan to Polish energy company ENEA. (Find more information on our blog.)
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