Tibetans oppose GobiMin's Mining Project in Tibet

Tibetans oppose GobiMin's Mining Project in Tibet

Phayul

3rd June 2006

Tibetan rights groups and supporters have slammed a major Canadian mining company for its interest in a zinc-copper property in Chinese-occupied Tibet. GobiMin Inc. of Canada acquired 30% equity interest in Tibet Dazi PuXiong Copper Company Limited which owns exploration license of the Malonglang Copper-Zinc project located in Dazi County.

Mining in Tibetan areas has intensified over the years as foreign companies are being encouraged by the Chinese authorities to exploit the rich untapped natural resources in Tibet. Gobimin, one of the latest players in the exploitation of Tibetan mines, is the sixth largest mining company in Canada and majority of the members on its board are Chinese-Canadians, reported the Voice of America (VOA) June 3 quoting Tenzin Dhargyal of the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC). The group has also written to Gobimin protesting the company's role in the Malonglang project and explaining concerns of the Tibetan people. "....there is a high risk that your activity will negatively impact the livelihood of Tibetan people, their culture and their environment", Mr. Dhargyal wrote.

The Tibetan youth group, Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) also voiced their concerns and said they would oppose any attempts to exploit the natural resources of Tibet. VOA quoted SFT's Tenzin Dorjee as saying that SFT views the exploitation of Tibet's resources and wealth by any foreign companies, Chinese or otherwise, as an act of theft. He also said the group was aware of the growing interests among foreign companies to enter the mining market in Tibet.