China Update
Published by MAC on 2006-05-12
China Update
12th May 2006
The Australian prime mininster confirms his government's commitment to selling uranium to China (while still excluding India as a customer).
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) announces it will draft a code of practice on coal mine safety. The UN body points out that accidents and fatalities in the world's two most populous nations have increased, while those in the US, UK and Australia have "significantly reduced." What the article (below) doesn't point out is that neither India nor China have signed on to ILO 176 on safety and health in mines - but then neither has Australia.
Meanwhile, as the world's largest zinc producer, Teck Cominco, announces a takeover bid for Inco, the Big Nickel itself announces plans to profit from China's advance to becoming the world's premier stainless steel producer. The ore will be supplied from Inco's stalled Goro project in New Caledonia.