中國黃金於西藏的開礦行動一向於國內外野起有爭議，因其嚴重破壞當地之生態環境，亦令無數住於當地的村民及遊牧民族喪失生計及家園。其中開礦做成的水源污染不但已殃及當地的居民及動物，亦因為西藏高原是亞洲幾條大河流的源頭，受影響的人實是千百萬計。
土地本應歸於人民，地區的發展亦應是由民主規劃。可是，大財團卻能花錢買起整個地區，使當地的居民全被迫遷。甲瑪的居民於開礦前從未被諮詢甚至通知，採礦亦於居民的反對下繼續擴展。上訪不受理睬，示威又被拘捕 -- 曾有兩名村民因抗議開礦公司而被判監15年，其中一人以在獄中被虐打至死，而早前因示威而被捕的甲瑪居民現仍在候審。
但抗爭往往能帶來改變：於2009年，西藏芒康的開礦終於完全停止，全因為當地的人民從未放棄保衛自己的家園。
因此，我們要求中國黃金國際資源有限公司停止於甲瑪的一切開礦行動，亦呼籲市民切勿透過入股投資，支持這些大財團的不義行為。
加拿大多倫多於本週一已舉行過有關的抗議（詳情請參考：http://stopminingtibet.com），類似的行動亦會於溫哥華發生。
而於香港，我們今天(3/12/2010)會於下午四時半在中環港鐵A出口往交易廣場的天橋掛起橫額及雪山獅子旗抗議，起望能喚起駕駛經過中環鬧事的市民關注。
PROTEST AGASINT CHINA GOLD INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONCall on China Gold International Resources to immediately withdraw from Tibet
Date: 3/12/2010
Time: 4:30pm
Place: Walkway between MTR Central Station Exit A and Exchange Square
A small, short action involving a banner-drop and the display of the Tibetan flag will take place today on the walkway between MTR Central Station Exit A and Exchange Square in protest of China Gold International Resources (2099/ TSX: CGG), which started trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) earlier this week. The company is reported to have raised HK$2.4 billion ($309 million) in a recent IPO on the HKEX to expand and intensify its controversial mining operations in Tibet. Similar protests have been staged in Toronto and are planned in Vancouver, where the company is based. China Gold International Resources (formally Jinshan Inc.) has come under fire by Tibet advocacy groups for purchasing the Gyama (Chinese: Jiama) mine operation near Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, that is opposed by Tibetans in the region and abroad.
In 2009, Tibetans in Gyama protested water contamination and resettlement of nomads that had resulted from the mining operations. Tibetan rights groups are calling on Canadian mining companies and their investors to stay out of occupied Tibet or face escalated public pressure.
As the political situation inside Tibet continues to intensify due to increased concern and opposition to mining operations in Tibet, rights groups are calling on Hong Kong companies and their investors to steer clear of high risk business ventures in occupied Tibet or face increased public and political pressure.
More Background
- Villagers who were arrested for opposing mining in Gyama remain in prison awaiting sentencing. Two farmers, Sonam Rinchen and Thupten Yeshi were tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in prison for demonstrating against mining operations in Gyama. Sonam Rinchen died of illness with part of his body paralyzed as a result of repeated torture while in prison.
- Tibetans of Gyama village have been overwhelmed and displaced from their traditional lands by the influx of thousands of Han Chinese, including military police and special forces.
- Hundreds of nomads have been displaced from the grasslands to socialist housing, depriving them of their traditional way of life and livelihood
- Severe pollution has resulted in illness of Tibetan villagers and death of their livestock
- The re-routing of villagers’ fresh water system to mining operations caused intense conflict between villagers and authorities
- Thundering noise from mining blasts through the night has caused sleep deprivation to villagers
- Villagers have been forced to sell their property, such as vehicles, to mining companies
