Us Update

US update

14th Feburary 2007

The largest native American nation, the Navajo (Dine), has for some time voiced strenuous opposition to new uranium mining. Its people have learned, in the hardest possible fashion, the consequences of allowing their territory to be polluted, and their workers radiated, for well over half a century. Even so, they are now having to go to court to try to enforce the ban imposed in 2005.

Last year we ran an urgent appeal by the major US NGO, Rainforest Action Network, directed at banks which are financing the largest combine of coal-fired power plants in the country

See: .http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press1311.htm

A year before, we noted that RAN welcomed Citigroup's pledge to observe principles of corporate social responsibility.

See: http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press607.htm

Now the "engagement" - if not about to be broken - seems to be teetering on the brink of dissolution (disillusion?).

The global "mergers and acquisitions" rumour mill has been running overtime for more than a year. Now, there's speculation that Rio Tinto - or perhaps BHPBilliton - will bid for control of the world's biggest aluminium producer, Alcoa.

It follows the recent announcement that India's Hindalco is to take over US-based Novalis (see this week's India update).

Watch this space - but don't hold your breath.