BOTSWANA: DE BEERS'S MINE ON BUSHMAN LAND WOULD BE A HUNDRED TIMES LARGER THAN PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
SURVIVAL INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
24 February 2006
In a surprise revelation, the Botswana government has said that a
diamond mine on the land of the Central Kalahari Bushmen would affect
5,027 square kilometres of land - well over a hundred times more than
previously announced.
In a leaflet distributed outside a Survival event in London, the
Botswana government states, 'a small area immediately around a
mineral deposit, i.e. within a 40km radius, is cordoned off.' This
means that an area 10% of the total size of the Central Kalahari Game
Reserve (CKGR) would be impacted.
Botswana's Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs said in
2000 that 46 square kilometres or 0.09% of the reserve would be
allocated to a mine. De Beers's own Environmental Impact Assessment
report published in 1999 states that the area impacted by a mine
would be 35 square kilometres or 0.07% of the reserve, while the
Botswana Gazette reported in May 1998 that a mine would cover only 20
square kilometres or 0.04% of the reserve.
The government leaflet also says that there is 'no need to relocate
people who live 200km away.' In fact, none of the Bushman communities
from which people have been evicted since 2002 are more than 115
kilometres from the proposed mine site and several are much nearer.
One community, Gope, is exactly on the site.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'Despite De Beers's
assertions to the contrary, we believe mining in the reserve draws
ever closer. Prior to the campaign, De Beers and the government made
no secret of their wish to mine. Their signals changed in 2002 when
we were told the find was 'subeconomic'. But now that is not even
mentioned, instead we are told that a massive 10% of the reserve's
area would be cordoned off if there were a mine. We believe the issue
is now about the destruction of a large part of one of Africa's
largest reserves, as well as of the Bushmen.'
ENDS
To see a map of the area of the mine would cover according to the
latest announcement, and to read this press release online, visit
Survival International
For more information call Miriam Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or
email Miriam Ross
First People of the Kalahari have been given The Right Livelihood
Award, known as the alternative Nobel prize, in recognition of their
'resolute resistance against eviction from their ancestral lands, and
for upholding the right to their traditional way of life'.
We help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands and
determine their own futures.
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
Tel: 020 7687 8700
Fax: 020 7687 8701
Survival International
Contents
February 2006 Reports
Last updated on February 27, 2006