Fury at Bangladesh Mine Scheme
British open cast coal mining project would displace up to 130,000 people in Bangladesh
A huge open cast coal mining project by a quoted British firm, that would displace up to 130,000 people in Bangladesh, is at the center of an international row. GCM, a fast growing Aim-listed company, is behind plans to a dig up to 572 million tonnes of coal in a project that will displace people from Phulbari, in north-west Bangladesh, divert a river from its course, and destroy a mangrove forest that is a world heritage site.
The project has attracted widespread hostility. In protests against the proposal 18 months ago, three people were killed in an area now said to be controlled by the military.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband backed the project on a recent trip to the country, but more than 60 international campaign groups have written to the Asian Development Bank demanding it turns down a £100m loan to the scheme. 'We're putting pressure on GCM to withdraw from this shameful project,' said Murray Bentham at the World Development Movement.
GCM said: 'An extensive environmental and social impact assessment has been taken and continues to be improved.'
The project has attracted widespread hostility. In protests against the proposal 18 months ago, three people were killed in an area now said to be controlled by the military.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband backed the project on a recent trip to the country, but more than 60 international campaign groups have written to the Asian Development Bank demanding it turns down a £100m loan to the scheme. 'We're putting pressure on GCM to withdraw from this shameful project,' said Murray Bentham at the World Development Movement.
GCM said: 'An extensive environmental and social impact assessment has been taken and continues to be improved.'
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