Money, and the EU’s climate agenda, to burn: EBRD mining strategy on a carbon collision course
October 9, 2012
With the EBRD due to sign off on its new mining strategy in November this year, 22 MEPs have pointed out in an open letter to European commissioners that given the state of the policy draft the bank risks contradicting the EU Resource Efficiency Roadmap and responsible mining principles. At risk of being compromised too, Bankwatch believes, are the EU’s 2020 strategy and EU commitments on climate change and biodiversity protection.
Health and safety on the line in ArcelorMittal’s Kazakh operations
May 14, 2012
The EBRD’s development of a new Mining Strategy saw the publication last month of a draft that will now be consulted on. Among the passages in the draft to catch the eye are “Multi-national firms act as demonstrators of best (or at least better) practices in those EBRD countries of operations where EHS&S (Environmental, health, safety and social) legislation is lacking”, and that “investments by major international mining operators in local mining sites in the EBRD’s countries of operations have often led to rapid and significant improvements in the safety of workers, due to safety standards that generally exceed the most stringent local health and safety requirements”.
Report from a fact finding mission to ArcelorMittal Temirtau
August 15, 2011
ArcelorMittal received a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for health and safety improvements in its Kazakh coal mines. While fatal accidents at the mines continue, the company has so far not provided sufficient information to allow the project’s assessment. We visited Temirtau to talk with miners directly about the company’s health and safety performance. Video testimonies can also be seen on our website.
Arcelor Mittal SA: Undone and dusted
June 9, 2011
No-one who has driven between Bloemfontein and Johannesburg could fail to have noticed the haze, stench and massive steelworks near the motorway. But Amsa is not the only polluter in the area. Sasol, Eskom power stations and, in winter, household coal fires also contribute to the horrible air quality
ArcelorMittal Temirtau, Kazakhstan
February 18, 2011
While fatal accidents at the ArcelorMittal Temirtau mines continue, the company has so far not provided sufficient information to allow an assessment whether an EBRD funded project to improve health and safety conditions is being implemented successfully.
Hundreds to protest against ArcelorMittal in Bosnia and Herzegovina
February 10, 2011
Hundreds of people are expected to attend a protest against illegal levels of air pollution from the local ArcelorMittal steelmill this Friday afternoon. The action has been organized through social media and is supported by local NGOs Dosta! and Zenica Eko-Forum.
Have you voted in the 2010 worst EU lobbying awards yet?
November 5, 2010
ArcelorMittal, one of the candidates for the worst EU lobby award, is the world’s largest private steel company, producing 10 per cent of the world’s steel. It is also one of Europe’s largest emitters of CO2. Yet the company successfully lobbied the European Commission on behalf of Europe’s biggest polluters to continue getting free greenhouse gas emissions permits until at least 2020.
Complaint regarding the decision by the EIB to grant ArcelorMittal R&D Facility loan
August 17, 2010
The complaint was filed by Client Earth and Bankwatch to the EIB complaint office after the EIB signed a loan to steel giant ArcelorMittal that was still under investigation from a previous complaint.
ArcelorMittal Temirtau – a never ending story – EBRD AGM Issue Paper
May 10, 2010
For three years already ArcelorMittal Temirtau (AMT), financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has been implementing the USD 100 million Mittal Steel Temirtau – Coal Mine Modernisation project that was approved by the bank in 2007.
Kazakhstan civil society letter to EIB requesting disclosure of information on the EIB’s Framework Agreement with Kazakhstan
April 20, 2010
The EIB responded to our letter on May 19, 2010. Their response can be downloaded as pdf.
