01/22/2015

Mining of rare earths is a threat to Mongolian nomads in China, as a memorandum documents

China: Nomads of Inner Mongolia protest against land grabbing and environmental degradation

[Translate to Englisch:] © Bankwatch/Flickr

In China, the nomadic people of Inner Mongolia are acutely threatened by land grabbing and the consequences of mining. "It is understandable that the German economy welcomes the recent approval of rare earths exports from China. For the Nomads of Inner Mongolia, however, this is a serious threat. They are suffering a lot from the effects of mining," said the STP's Asia-consultant, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Thursday – on occasion of the presentation of a 25-page memorandum on the consequences of mining projects for the Nomads of Inner Mongolia. In the Chinese capital, a demonstration of more than 70 Mongolian nomads has been going on for the past 9 days. They are protesting against land grabbing, forced relocation and inadequate compensations.

"The Mongolian nomads are suffering from the disastrous ecological consequences of rare earth extraction and coal mining, often in connection with serious health problems," said Delius. "People who live near the mines often suffer from cancer or osteoporosis or have tooth loss." The human rights activists warned: "The Mongols must not become victims of our industrial growth. They must be involved in the plans of the mining industry – urgently! Also, sewage disposal must be improved and air pollution must be reduced."

The Bayan-Obo mine in Inner Mongolia is of worldwide renown as the most important mining site for rare earths. Large amounts of acids and highly radioactive thorium are used to extract the minerals. One of the most serious environmental problems is to be seen in the incurring sewage sludge. It is collected in huge dams, from where the toxic substances seep into the soil, into the groundwater and into the nearby streams such as the Yellow River. The Mongolian residents of the surrounding villages are also acutely threatened by toxic dust that arises when liquid evaporate from settling tanks.

The People's Republic covers about 90 percent of the global demand for rare earths. The materials are used in the high-technology industry, for example for the construction of smart phones, LED screens, wind turbines and solar panels. The largest deposits of rare earth mines are located in Inner Mongolia. In early January 2015, China had lifted export restrictions on rare earths after the World Trade Organization (WTO) had approved of further minerals exports.

There are about 24 million people living in Inner Mongolia. The Chinese settlement policy caused a large influx of Han Chinese, due to which the Mongols are now only a minority group accounting for 17 percent of the population. More than two million Mongolian nomads were forcibly resettled since 2001.

 



Ulrich Delius, der Asienreferent der Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker, ist erreichbar unter Tel. 0551 49906 27 oder asien@gfbv.de.


Header Foto: Bankwatch/Flickr