The Berlin-Declaration on Gold Mining
Further Observations and Comments on the Cyanide Process to Produce Gold
Prof. Dr. F. Korte, Munich, Germany
Prof. Dr. F. Coulston, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA In various Articles and Comments in this journal (EES) discussions were presented regarding accidental breaks in the ponds containing waste cyanide. These leaks caused even some deaths in humans and produced havoc in the surrounding ecological systems, including plants and animals.
The two authors of this and past articles would like to bring you up to date on the Gold problem.
Recently, in Berlin (October 27, 2000) a group of scientists, which included Prof. Dr. Paul Müller, Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Korte, and Petra Sauerland, produced what is known as the "Berlin-Declaration". These scientists produced a statement that now becomes the major thrust against gold processing using cyanide.
On the initiative of FIAN (International Peoples Right Organization) a meeting was held on the activities of the German Development Society in Gold mining, using cyanide process in Ghana, Peru and New-Guinea.
Under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c.mult. Paul Müller (University Saarbrücken) and the presence of Gila Altman (State Secretary Ministry of Environment, Germany) and scientific representatives Prof. (em) Dr. Friedhelm Korte (Technical University, Munich), Prof. Dr. Ismail Duman (Technical University Istanbul), Dr. Thomas Rude (University Munich) and Petra Sauerland (Chairman Peoples-Right-Organization FIAN-D) the Berlin Declaration on Gold Mining using the cyanide process was unanimously passed.
Berlin-Declaration on Gold Mining Using Cyanide Process:
Critical scientific analysis (especially, eco-chemistry, bio-geographical, hydrological and geochemical ecosystems) emphatically prove that the cyanide process in Gold mining cannot be accepted because of its irreversible damage to the ecosystems. The necessary safe technologies (like detoxification, neutralization, reduction in the availability to the ecosystems among other heavy metals) are only in a limited way available. They cannot guarantee safe Gold mining. Considering economics, water conservation, chemical and protection of nature, Gold mining using cyanide in the open field under the German and EU law is not authorized.
Ecosystems analysis at the site of operations prove that in tropical and subtropical zones there is an occurrence of periodic crisis. The technologies to reduce the risk are not manageable and cannot be controlled. Bursting of dams, leakages, transport accidents (for example: Summitville, Colorado/USA 1993; Harmony Mine, South Africa 1994; Manila, Philippines 1995; Omai, Guayana 1995; Homestake Mine South Dakota, USA 1996; Gold Quarry Mine Nevada territory of Western Shoshone, USA 1997; Kumtor, Kirgistan 1998; Baia Mare, Romania 2000) and other smaller accidents indicate worldwide that the concerned firms do not act carefully.
The economic analysis indicates that the activities of the main Gold producers (for example: Anglo Gold, South Africa; Gold Fields, South Africa; Rio Tinto, UK/AUstralia; Newmont, USA; Barrik, Canada; Placer Dome; Canada; BHP, Australia; Normandy, Australia) are concentrated in poor countries and regions with low production costs, insufficient legal standards and controls
Analysis of the social effects on the people and the humanitarian situation prove that there is no positive effects by Gold mining using cyanide process. Short term gains (more jobs) always follows a permanent fall from the previous standards.
This negative balance proves that cyanide Gold mining permanently contradicts the 1992 decalartion of Rio. It destroys, in long term, the basic necessities of life and threaten adequate nourishment. The public money sanctioned by the governments for the promotion of Gold mining projects are to be stopped and, where necessary, the affected people should receive compensation.
On February 17, 2000 there appeared an article entitled, "Is the risk of a cyanide discharge from goldmines in Sweden a real threat?" written by Adriaan Muller. For the purposes of this commentary I will quote some of the statements presented in the article. To read the entire article I refer you to the author.
"During the last few weeks a number of reports from the Romanian goldmine at Baia Mara have been circulating in the European press, radio and television. Pictures of massive destruction of fish and other animal life in the river Danube and its subsidiaries have shocked the whole world. Not to mention those who have been directly affected by an enormous discharge of tens of thousands of cubic meters of sediment, with high concentrations of heavy metals and cyanide from a tailing lagoon. Nobody knows how long it will take, if ever, before nature retains its balance." "The EU commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom has visited the scene of the disaster. Wallstrom has granted EU assistance to the countries which have been affected and also to send a task force to the area immediately."
The article talks mostly about what is going on in Sweden. "Swedish authorities and mining companies regard Sweden as the leading European mining country. Sweden produces the largest tonnage of iron ore, lead, silver and gold in the EU and is the second largest producer of copper and zinc."
"Thus the number of tailing lagoons in Sweden is high. There is an ongoing research program studying the environmental risk to groundwater, streams, lakes and other drinking water suplies."
"At the moment there are 17 international mining companies who have exploration rights."
"In 1992 the Sewedish parliament decided upon changes in its mineral law, this resulted in the number of claim certificates and exploration permits rocketing. Since 1992, no less than 1600 exploration permits have been granted."
"Around 1.5 million hectares (15.000 km2) are covered with exploration permits today and that means a greater proportion of the country than ever before. An additional area of about 1.7 million partly averlapping hectares, mostly in northern Sweden, has been granted for diamond exploration."
"The total number of new mines in southern Sweden is unknown, but several of them are goldmines in which, most probably, the cyanide process for extraction will be used. Almost all fresh water leaving the Swedish mainland in rivers and streams runs into the Baltic Sea. Any accidental discharge from a tailing lagoon will immediately result in severe environmental repercussions for the Baltic Sea. The long-term effects of an accident, similar to the three accidents in Romania and Spain, to the Baltic and ist sencitive ecology cannot be forseen."
"Accidents of this nature have already taken place in Sweden. A large discharge of heavy metal polluted sediment at the Lulsvall mine in northern Sweden happened in October 1996."
"For the population of south Sweden this is of great concern. The question is if this should also be of great concern to other citizens of the EU and citizens of the Baltic States? What should we do about it before it is too late?"
Author: Adriaan Muller (ARM-Action for a Rightful Mineral Law) 36292 Tingaryd, Sweden Tel.: +46 477 120 74 € Fax: +46 477 453 073 € e-mail: euronatur@telia.com
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
These new disclosures concerning Sweden add to the total understanding of the damage that can be done to the ecological system as well as to the animals and humans that live in these areas. The recent catastrophe in Romania is now well known around the world. This should not be repeated again elsewhere in the world. That cyanide ponds exist even in Sweden maybe without the permits from the government is indeed a very serious problem. Professor Korte and Professor Coulston would like to keep the readers of EES informed not only now, what is current, up-to-date information, but they will try to keep the readers continiously informed about this problem in the future. The Berlin-Declaration speaks for itself and warns us of the danger of using cyanide in processing gold.
The situation, that the open air Cyanide Leaching Gold Recovery Process (CLGRP) which is used and developed since the beginning of 1900 should not be acceptable today, is only understandable if one realises the rapid industrial development since 1900. This fast process has lead to unexpected and unacceptable health consequences for humans and the newly discovered environment.
Environmental health problems are only considered and discussed since the early 70s in a few nations. In the 80s international agencies like the OECD, UNEP, WHO, IPCS etc. became aware of the international dimensions of environmental problems. The most important event in this respect was the Rio Summit in 1992 with the Agenda 21. This agenda required for the first time environmental protection measures on chemicals and processes to be developed and implemented by governments at international level. In the following time additional regulations have been developed (e.g. Maastrich Treaty of the EU, The Rotterdam Convention, UNEP, POP Convention). The principle of sustainibility is internationally accepted to be the focus point for introductions of new industrial processes and also for the reconsiderations of already existing ones. Up to now all scientific publications and national or international meetings have clearly shown that the open air Cyanide Leaching Gold Recovery Process can not fullfill the requirements of a sustainable process and is therefore today not acceptable. The Berlin-Declaration of October 27, 2000 supports this statement strongly.
The great chemical and gold mining industry producing gold today should be able to prevent the constantly ore mining accidents even when realising that a main problem of the process is the fact that more than 99,99xx % of the treated ore (or soil) is structurally changed by the grinding and extraction process which changed the bioavailibility of their newly formed unknown constituents. Only a few promille of unchainged gold are recovered and being of commercial value.
The Berlin Declaration speaks for itself and warns us of the danger of using cyanide in processing gold. In previous "comments", Prof. Dr. Korte and Prof. Dr. Coulston have suggested simple remedies for controlling spills from the cyanide ponds. We hope that the major mining companies will find a way to improve their methods of production!.
Further Literature: Korte, F. and Coulston, F. (1994). Some considerations of the impact of energy and chemicals on the environment. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 19, 219-227
Korte, F. and Coulston, F. (1998). Some considerations of the impact of ecological principles in practice with emphasis on gold mining and cyanide. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 41, 119-129, esp. 125
Korte, F. (1999). Ökologisch-chemische Betrachtungen zu Goldgewinnungs-verfahren. GIT Labor-Fachzeitschrift 43, 1082-1083
World Wide Web, www.korte-goldmining.de
World Wide Web, www.fian.de
君
Deputy Higher Education Minister and MCA vice president Ong Tee Keat announced this today and immediately rejected claims that the approval was a sweetener for the Machap by-election.
Recently former TARC student 
The spokesperson who spoke to malaysiakini on condition of anonymity also said there is no need to inform students that TARC diplomas and advance diplomas are not recognised by the civil service because these qualifications are marketable in the private sector.
From the left: Lim Lip Eng, Lau Weng San, Soo Pak Leong and Tiew Wey Kheng at the pc @ DAP Selangor office yesterday.
Who says Chinese youth were not interested in joining the police force?
