http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.6.aspx The latest news on Energy & Extractive Industries from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.6.aspx South African activists Caroline Ntaopane and Makoma Lekalakala take on the World Bank's proposed loan to Eskom. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx Friends of the Earth is planning a discussion with two South African activists about the proposed $3.75 million loan to Eskom which will fund the construction of the Medupi power station tomorrow at 1 p.m. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11803.aspx Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:25:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11803.aspx A mining law which the International Financial Corporation has been helping the Yemeni government to draft has recently been completed and will be submitted to Parliament. According to this article, one of the main hindrances for potential investment in Yemen's mining sector is the security issue, leaving us with a few questions: Is the IFC willing and planning to invest? Would the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provide insurance for investors? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11798.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:35:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11798.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11794.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11794.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11793.aspx Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11793.aspx In 2009, BIC conducted a survey of civil society organizations in 19 countries involved in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a coalition that works with the World Bank Group to promote transparency in extractives. The survey looked into the effectiveness of CSO participation and the role of the World Bank in the process. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11792.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:39:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11792.aspx A new report from the Center for American Progress looks into the World Bank's ability to exacerbate or alleviate climate change through its project funding and its ability to set standards for other institutions. BIC's analysis of the Bank's energy lending is cited http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11791.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:35:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11791.aspx The Bank will delay the proposed refurbishment of the Inga 1 and 2 dams until 2016, and will cut back the size of the project. Staff said that the cutbacks were due to both the world financial crisis and problems specific to the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11790.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:10:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11790.aspx After the Democratic Republic of Congo cancelled an IFC backed mining contract over disputed payments, the World Bank arm has declared that it will not begin new projects in the country until the dispute is resolved. The IFC is currently active in nine projects in Congo with a commitment of $104.6 million. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11789.aspx Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:35:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11789.aspx Hundreds of Peruvian communities were displaced as they fled the 1980-2000 civil war. Today the government is pushing for urgent passage of a law that would facilitate the relocation of entire villages or neighbourhoods in mineral or energy-rich areas. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11788.aspx Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:55:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11788.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11813.aspx Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11813.aspx “In our capacity as regional authorities, we have conducted a technical analysis of this project and we will not endorse it, because this project will only benefit Brazil” stated Víctor Paredes Argandeña, regional director of Energy and Mining in Puno. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11786.aspx Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:16:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11786.aspx A broad coalition of civil society in South Africa is mobilizing opposition to the controversial loan proposed to help fund the Medupi coal plant. They threatened a boycott of World Bank bonds if the loan is approved. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11781.aspx Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:49:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11781.aspx Communities, environmental groups, academics and NGOs today call on the World Bank to cease and desist from a proposed loan of R29 billion ($3.75 bn) to Eskom. If this loan – which may come up for a Board vote in March or April – goes through, poor South Africans will have to bear the burden of Eskom’s debt and the World Bank’s cost recovery programme, and climate change will intensify. A world campaign begins now. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11773.aspx Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:13:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11773.aspx So-called extractivism, which includes mineral and oil exploitation, has a long history in Latin America. Current exports have been nourished by extractivist activities. Extractivism has continued to play a key role in national economies. It has also occupied a place at the center of powerful struggles because of its economic, social, and environmental impacts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11769.aspx Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:31:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11769.aspx A cement plant in India financed in part by the IFC and ADB has been shut down pending a Supreme Court review of the mining operation supplying the plant. The complaint alleges that land was illegally transferred from tribal groups, that mining was undertaken without approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, and that customs and other duties were ignored. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11768.aspx Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:07:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11768.aspx Without transparency the energy agreement would be less accountable http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:24:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx On January 13th, nine executive directors representing China, India, and other countries in the Global South wrote a letter protesting the recently announced guidelines from the U.S. for what coal projects it could support. The directors objected to the United States declaring it wouldn't support coal projects while maintaining its own reliance on coal power. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:35:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11758.aspx 19 educational institutions will be lost in the construction of the Inambari hydroelectric center, affecting 634 students if the government goes forward with the project, which will benefit Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11745.aspx Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:35:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11745.aspx An interview with Roxana Torres Camacho, of the Association of Biologists of Puno, who asserts that the construction of the Inambari hydroelectric dam will not only spur the disappearance and death of plants and animals, but may even increase the spread of diseases among humans. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11743.aspx Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:54:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11743.aspx The Bank has initiated the first round of consultations on its Energy Strategy by opening online comments to the public and publishing dates for meetings in select countries. The consultations will last until June of this year. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11741.aspx Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:56:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11741.aspx A memo from the U.S. Treasury Department laying out conditions for supporting new coal projects at MDBs has angered several other shareholders in the World Bank. Nine executive directors objected that they were being cut off from financing for cheap coal while the U.S. still produces 26% of coal generated electricity worldwide. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11740.aspx Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:50:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11740.aspx Last year, the executive directors of Sierra Club and Rainforest Action Network sent a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner encouraging him to end federal subsidies for coal-fired power plants. Included in the letter is the point that the U.S. subsidizes coal plants through its vote at the multilateral development banks. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11737.aspx Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:03:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11737.aspx The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released guidelines on the funding of coal power plants by multilateral development banks, prompting mixed reactions from civil society. BIC board member Athena Ballesteros and Sustainable Energy Expert Yong Chen are quoted, expressing enthusiasm as well as concern about the guidelines and their effectiveness. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11732.aspx Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:58:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11732.aspx Dr. Vandana Shiva of the Navdanya Trust reviews the Copenhagen conference and its underlying politics. Coming from a Global South perspective, he finds little basis for continued delay in action or the implicit assumption that present economic dominance by the Global North and certain polluters must be maintained at all costs. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11723.aspx Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:01:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11723.aspx On December 14th, the U.S. Treasury released a note titled "Guidance to MDBs for Engaging with Developing Countries on Coal-Fired Power Generation" which will guide how U.S. representatives to MDBs deal with proposed coal projects. Here, BIC comments on the functionality of the new policy. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11715.aspx Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:17:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11715.aspx Phil Radford, executive director of Greenpeace USA, writes a rebuttal to the World Bank on their energy lending and argues that they are still quite far from being a "climate-friendly" bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11699.aspx Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:26:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11699.aspx In the new issue of Worldwatch, Aviva Imhof of International Rivers and Guy Lanza of the University of Massachussetts, Amherst lay out the case that large hydropower projects achieve neither environmental nor social sustainability. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11697.aspx Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:57:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11697.aspx Using BIC's recently published numbers on World Bank energy lending, Richard Mahapatra of InfoChange India writes about the "carbon trap" that the World Bank is locking developing countries into for the next 30 to 40 years. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11694.aspx Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:31:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11694.aspx In his op-ed featured on All Africa, Frank Muramuzi of the National Association of Professional Environmentalists analyzes the World Bank’s disastrous approach to energy lending, focusing specifically upon large hydropower projects in Uganda. He emphasizes the point that the Bank’s current policies lead to more poverty, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11691.aspx Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:34:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11691.aspx Straddling one the Amazon's main tributaries and flanked by dense jungle, a construction pit the size of a small town bustles with bulldozers and nearly 10,000 workers blasting huge slabs of rock off the river bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11690.aspx Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:42:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11690.aspx As the World Bank is expediting a $3.75 billion dollar loan to the South African power utility Eskom, mostly for the coal fired Medupi power station, a new report from South African NGO GroundWork looks at the state of Eskom, and what the influx of money will mean for the company and the country. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11687.aspx Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:28:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11687.aspx Phil Radford, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, has written an Op-Ed for Foreign Policy on the World Bank and coal. He argues that there is a contradiction between the Bank's stated goals about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the continued funding for coal centered projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11683.aspx Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:19:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11683.aspx James Hansen, the scientist who drew attention to the Bush administration's manipulation of climate change data, says that despite improved rhetoric, politicians are still engaged in "greenwash" and that they are seeking to continue business as usual. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11684.aspx Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11684.aspx Nine years after the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline was begun, and one year after IBRD and IDA pulled out, attention has faded fast. The disasterous effects of the project, however, are just beginning. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11677.aspx Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:31:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11677.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11676.aspx Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:03:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11676.aspx Heike Mainhardt-Gibbs published today numbers examining World Bank Group energy investments over the last three years. The factsheet contrasts data on Bank lending for fossil fuels, large hydropower, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11675.aspx Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:36:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11675.aspx Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson and Senior Fellow at the Miller Institute Alice Miller have written a new article about the social impacts of climate change. They argue that if the World Bank is going to be the default institution for climate financing, it can vastly improve its practices to live up to this role. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11669.aspx Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:39:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11669.aspx The Peruvian head of state reiterated the country's need to become a great energy power in South America. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11668.aspx Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:22:31 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11668.aspx South Africa's power company believes that the World Bank will make a decision about whether to loan up to $5 billion to the company in the first half of 2010. The money would go toward the construction of the Medupi coal fired power station, as well as other energy projects throughout the country. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11653.aspx Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:57:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11653.aspx In a speech titled “Building a Twenty-First Century Development Bank: New Challenges, New Priorities,” Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry laid out his vision for the role of the US and the World Bank in tackling climate change, energy investment, and economic development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11641.aspx Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:26:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11641.aspx An investigation by the Brazilian daily Folha de Brasil revealed the involvement of ex-Minister of Mining and Energy Silas Rondeau in a bribery scandal favoring the Brazilian company Engevix for the construction of six hydroelectric centers in Peru at a cost of US$ 16 billion. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11639.aspx Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:22:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11639.aspx Documents from the informational forum held in Madre de Dios stated that the hydroelectric center's reservoir would flood all territory below 540 meter above sea level, covering approximately 410 square kilometers. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11638.aspx Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:51:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11638.aspx The Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank will invest in the development of six hydrological basins, located in mining areas around the country during the next five years, according to the coordinator of the hydrological resource management modernization project of the National Water Authority (ANA). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11634.aspx Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:08:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11634.aspx According to studies, the Chaglla hydroelectric center will have an installed potential of 360 MW and its construction could begin as early as the second trimester of 2010. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11633.aspx Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11633.aspx Parliament Representative from Puno, Susana Vilca Achata, presented a declaration from civil society of the Carabaya province to the vice minister of Energy and Mining, Daniel Camac Gutiérrez, in which they demanded public consultation before construction of the Inambari mega-project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11623.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:58:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11623.aspx Ex Minister of Energy and Mining, Carlos Herrera Descalzi, asserts that Peru's energy demand over the next several years puts the country at a disadvantage regarding the hydroelectric project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11621.aspx Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:49:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11621.aspx The World Bank is moving to become one of the major institutions taking on climate change through its Climate Investment Funds, among other policies. However, Heinrich Boell Foundation president Barbara Unmuessig believes that without reforms, the Bank will not be able to effectively or fairly alter the course on global warming. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11614.aspx Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:48:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11614.aspx Output would help cover demand in Francisco de Orellana and Sucumbíos provinces as well as oil sector demand. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11603.aspx Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:54:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11603.aspx The recent publication "Contested Waterscapes in the Mekong Region" features a chapter co-authored by BIC Asia Program Manager Jelson Garcia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11599.aspx Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:04:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11599.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11597.aspx Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:54:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11597.aspx With a price tag of $860 million and climbing, Bujagali is now amongst the most expensive hydropower plants in the world. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11594.aspx Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:56:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11594.aspx "Climate change has been produced principally by the rich countries, but it most affects the countries of the third world," President Rafael Correa said in London. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11589.aspx Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:39:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11589.aspx The “Corina” megaproject will require a total investment of US$ 10 billion, to be provided by the central government and private capital sources. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11584.aspx Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:16:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11584.aspx With funding from the World Bank, the Brazilian Ministry of Environment is planning to expedite and integrate the environmental licensing processes now divided between Federal, State and Local authoriteis. In an effort to speed up large infrastructure with the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), the move could lead to licensing regional of river basins. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11567.aspx Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:23:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11567.aspx Venezuela and the Inter-American Development Bank on Tuesday signed the agreement for an $800 million loan to finance part of the Manuel Piar hydroelectric center, Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez said. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11558.aspx Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:42:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11558.aspx On Wednesday, Fonam will host the IV International Carbon Market Seminar: Carbon Projects as a new business opportunity. The event is sponsored by the Minister of Environment, the UN Development Programme and and the World Bank Carbon Finance Unit. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11556.aspx Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:25:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11556.aspx Declaration of the Peruvian College of Engineers (CIP) published in El Comercio October 19 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11552.aspx Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:19:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11552.aspx The Financial Times printed a letter to the editor by Karin Lissakers of Revenue Watch Institute and Peter Rosenblum of Columbia University regarding an October 13 editorial, "Hazards of mining". The letter argues that a culture of secrecy in the Mining industry has undermined its development potential. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11546.aspx Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:45:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11546.aspx In Latin America, Brazil is the leader in the development of renewable energies, while nations like Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina are taking slow steps to change their energy mix. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11544.aspx Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:38:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11544.aspx At a ceremony in Roraima, Lula announced that Minister of Mines and Energy, Edison Lobao and president of the Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES), Luciano Coutinho will meet in Guyana in October to discuss the matter with Guyanese president Bharrat Jagdeo. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11534.aspx Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:13:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11534.aspx “It's difficult to say whether Inambari or the other dams will represent a benefit to Peru. What is evident is that the construction of large dams on Amazonian rivers will have enormous economic repercussions in terms of foreign debt, and obviously extreme social and environmental impacts. The truth is that we are obligated to reflect on these impacts before embarking on construction”, said Marc Dourojeanni, consultant to the IDB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11532.aspx Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:46:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11532.aspx Sociedad Civil por la Carretera Transoceánica (SOCIT) accused the College of Engineers of Peru (CIP) of altering the final conclusions of the Regional Forum “Construction of the Inambari Hydroelectric Station", organized and hosted by the college August 28 and 29. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11531.aspx Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:43:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11531.aspx National congresswoman Susana Vilca warned that granting definitive concession to the Inambari Hyrdoelectric Station to EGASUR would be permanent, as stipulated in the Law of Electric Concessions. Definitive concessions for the development of electric projects are granted for unspecified periods of time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11528.aspx Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:59:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11528.aspx In the Regional Forum “Construction of the Inambari Hydroelectric Station” which took place August 28 and 29, the College of Engineers of Peru reached some critical conclusions surrounding the proposed hydroelectric project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11527.aspx Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:18:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11527.aspx The estimate, which does not consider transmission, includes the provision of tax exemptions, the cost of training of the Special Purpose Company (SPC) and the cost of insurance. "This was the value quoted to TCU as the result of a study on investment optimization" says Mauricio Tolmasquim, president of EPE. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11526.aspx Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:07:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11526.aspx Disregard of environmental impacts, lack of foresight on how to compensate the families who will be impacted by the work, and overestimation of energy and jobs that will be generated. According to investigators, prosecutors and civil society organizations, these are just some of the flaws in the Environmental Impact Assessment of the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte, planned for construction on the Xingu River. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11524.aspx Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:42:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11524.aspx Companies such as Vale, Votorantim, CSN and Alcoa evaluate possible partnership in the venture. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11523.aspx Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:37:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11523.aspx Leaders of the Achuar people are challenging a decision by the Peruvian government to declare that a clean-up effort by the PlusPetrol oil company in the northeastern Amazon jungle has been completed. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11497.aspx Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:45:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11497.aspx The extension of the Central Railroad will benefit the investment projects of five mining companies. These companies, who anticipate an increase in production, say the train will facilitate transport of these products, according to the general manager of Cormin. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11494.aspx Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:12:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11494.aspx Camisea. The Ministry of Energy and Mining to hire a consultant. Natural gas reserve estimates have been updated since 2004, causing Congress to question a new certification. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11493.aspx Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11493.aspx After a meeting between representatives of Hunt Oil Company and eight native communities of the Amarakaeri Reserve, locals protested, voicing their definitive opposition to company's plans to carry out new drilling projects in the area. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11486.aspx Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:39:02 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11486.aspx An article in The Times highlights the inconsistencies between the World Bank's continued finance of coal projects and the rhetoric in their recently released 2010 World Development Report on climate change. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11479.aspx Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:53:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11479.aspx Mining company Milpo plans to invest more than $20 million in exploration of mineral deposits in Peru during 2010, according to general manager Abraham Chahuán. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11475.aspx Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:08:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11475.aspx Observers, however, are skeptical that the proposed project presents a solution to Africa's energy problems and whether the millions of Africans without access to electricity stand to benefit. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11462.aspx Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:47:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11462.aspx DRC mining review process struck down the contract, citing issues such as non-payment of royalties and failure to adhere to an agreed timetable. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11438.aspx Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:59:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11438.aspx The frontloading of resources in response to the crisis has nearly exhausted AfDB's lending capacity for 2010, as the Bank explores ways to sustain its lending levels. Meanwhile, its support for disastrous projects like the Gibe III Dam in Ethiopia highlights risks of a stronger AfDB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11434.aspx Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:21:55 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11434.aspx On Monday morning, from 5 to 9, representatives of the Union of Construction Workers of the State of Rondônia (Sticcero) blocked the gate of the construction site of the Santo Antônio plant, causing more than three miles of line on the access road in order to promote deliberative assembly with indications of a general strike. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11426.aspx Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:19:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11426.aspx After watching a report by Foro TV about the ecological damage that would be caused by the construction of the Inambari dam to the areas around Puno, citizens expressed their concern and demanded that local officials assume a responsible position to confront this threat. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11407.aspx Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:22:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11407.aspx Brazil is building hydroelectric dams in the Amazon that some technicians and economists applaud while several environmentalists regret. It is worth the risk and investment? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11405.aspx Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:22:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11405.aspx An examination of how the hydroelectric plants of Jirau and Santo Antônio will impact the environment and the lives of Amazonian communities. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11404.aspx Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:11:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11404.aspx Peruvian government will negotiate directly with the companies. Specialists said they should also review the export tariffs. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11400.aspx Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:45:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11400.aspx Peru hopes the hydroelectric project will push the Amazon region into the 21st century, despite strong misgivings of conservationists and environmentalist groups. In that sense Peru's aspirations are similar to the hopes of Paraguay, which is already sharing an electricity generation project with Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11397.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:51:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11397.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11396.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:42:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11396.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11394.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:02:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11394.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11390.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:47:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11390.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11388.aspx Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:17:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11388.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11383.aspx Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:32:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11383.aspx The project of constructing the Inambari mega-hydroelectric dam is generating discontent in the various affected communities in the province of Carabaya, who demand respect for the lands dedicated to agriculture. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11379.aspx Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:25:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11379.aspx The first indigenous woman elected leader and educator of the people Sagarana in Rondônia, Eva Canoe, said the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Madeira river, in Rondônia, will affect at least four indigenous peoples that still live in voluntary isolation in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11369.aspx Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:18:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11369.aspx The government is currently preparing the new project portfolio that will be offered to domestic and foreign investors; and it will prioritize investments in sectors such as energy, transport, sanitation, housing, rail, waterways and urban logistics. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11368.aspx Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:32:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11368.aspx One way to stem this rising tide, said ministers, would be for Latin American countries to "increase public infrastructure integration to reduce transport and energy costs in order to make their economies more competitive." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11366.aspx Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:26:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11366.aspx While the hydroelectric plants of Jirau and Santo Antonio in the Madeira river begin their construction, Bolivian organizations and institutes following the projects say that the negative impacts generated by the two dams will be felt not only in Brazilian territory, but also in Bolivia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11365.aspx Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:09:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11365.aspx Environmental organizations have mobilized against licensing of Santo Antônio and Jirau hydroelectric dams http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11364.aspx Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:43:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11364.aspx The US Department of Treasury released a statement on July 16, 2009 describing their position on the recent World Bank Energy Strategy Concept Note. The Concept Note outlines the World Bank's forthcoming Energy Strategy Approach Paper, which should be released in August, 2009. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11333.aspx Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11333.aspx The contract permits the export of gas at a price that is lower than the gas directed to the local market. The Government has initiated a new request to renegotiate the contracts and also seeking to limit the gas from Lot 88 for domestic use only. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11340.aspx Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:17:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11340.aspx The Society formed by GTLI y Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales awaiting an environmental license and Petroandina has entered the phase of seismic studies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11338.aspx Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:50:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11338.aspx A little known fact is that the majority owners of Lot 88 and Lot 56, which produce gas from Camisea, as well as the hydrocarbon liquids, are the same majority owners of the Peru LNG consortium, which is the entity that buys the Camisea gas and exports it. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11330.aspx Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:38:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11330.aspx The Ashaninka communities of the Ene Valley, in the districts of Rio Tambo and Pango, Province of Satipo, Junin, Peru, gathered together to celebrate the XIII ordinary Congress of their representative organisation, Central Ashaninka del Rio Ene (CARE), in the community of Pichiquia on the 24th-26th of April 2009 in order to debate the threat of the current project for the construction of the Pakitzapango hydroelectric dam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11317.aspx Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:18:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11317.aspx Hydroelectric dams, Biofuels, Hydrocarbons top the list. A business delegation is programmed for the second semester of 2009 to explore biofuel investment opportunities. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11313.aspx Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:02:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11313.aspx The increase in infrastructure investment does not represent a substantial impact in terms of poverty reduction among the affected populations of the Camisea Natural Gas Extraction Project in Cusco, Peru. This was one of the primary conclusions of a study conducted by Propuesta Ciudadana, with the support of Oxfam America, Bank Information Center and World Resources Institute. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11311.aspx Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:49:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11311.aspx Civil lawsuits have been filed against Brazil’s environment institute for ignoring environmental concerns when issuing licences to allow the construction of two dams on the Amazon’s Madeira River. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11309.aspx Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:48:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11309.aspx Brazilian firm has six months to sell its 9.99% share of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11305.aspx Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:54:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11305.aspx Puno Congressional leader, Susana Vilca Achata, stated that the Inambari Hydroelectric Project will negatively affect that Southern Interoceanic Highway and native peoples, and therefore the private Brazilian contractor, Amazonas Sur, should reformulate the design of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11303.aspx Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:32:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11303.aspx Reflections about the conference on IIRSA http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11293.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:58:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11293.aspx Numerous irregularities cited in environmental licensing process for the San Antonio & Jirau dams http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11286.aspx Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:34:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11286.aspx The World Bank approves loans for renewable energy in southern countries while making sure Europe meets its energy goals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11279.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:42:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11279.aspx As member countries assess the 9th replenishment proposal advanced by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on July 2 in Santiago, Chile, eight civil society organizations submitted recommendations on leadership steps the IDB should take in several critical areas before qualifying for any capital increase. These recommendations focus on two core areas of the IDB’s comparative advantage as a development bank in Latin America, Sustainability and Management for Development Results. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11274.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11274.aspx After an abrupt about-face, an agency frets about its footprint http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11276.aspx Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:39:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11276.aspx One of the key issues in Copenhagen climate change negotiations in December will be the creation of an international superstructure to provide incentives, and ultimately payments, to combat deforestation in tropical countries. As delegates from around the world gathered in Bonn last week to discuss the so-called "REDD issue" (e.g., reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation), violence erupted in the rainforests of Peru between indigenous groups and the government about plans to step up oil and gas exploration, mining, and logging in the Amazon. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11275.aspx Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:21:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11275.aspx The increasingly important topic of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) was recently discussed among civil society organizations in Bogota, Colombia. Participants in the event discussed the ways in which the SEAs can be most effective and how to overcome certain challenges in applying the SEAs to certain projects. Infrastructure and sustainable development topics are also covered in this SEA bulletin. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11262.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11262.aspx Government urged to drop criminal charges against indigenous leaders and allow independent investigation into violent incidents in Bagua, Peru http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11264.aspx Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:21:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11264.aspx Negotiations are underway for the construction of six hydroelectric power plants in the Peruvian Amazon Region in a joint initiative of Alan Garcia and Lula da Silva. Serious inquires about the nature of the intiative and its implications for the region are not resolved which signals further problems. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11256.aspx Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:45:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11256.aspx Brasilian Mega-dam EIA under review http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11223.aspx Fri, 29 May 2009 21:19:46 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11223.aspx Camisea not resolving Peru's domestic energy needs http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11222.aspx Fri, 29 May 2009 20:38:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11222.aspx Crown Jewel of the IIRSA Project Portfolio Under Scrutiny in Bolivia and Brazil http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11215.aspx Wed, 27 May 2009 18:14:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11215.aspx The new plant should start operating in 2012. It should have a capacity for generation of 720 megawatts (MW) of energy. The project also counts on financial investment by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), equivalent to 1 billion reais (US$ 490 million). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11209.aspx Mon, 25 May 2009 09:49:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11209.aspx State-owned oil company Petroperu said Sunday protests organized by Indians in Peru’s Amazon region were causing fuel shortages in several jungle cities. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11206.aspx Mon, 25 May 2009 08:40:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11206.aspx Comment period on draft EIA between May 30 and June 3 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11204.aspx Sat, 23 May 2009 07:47:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11204.aspx Two day conference underscores the need for improvements in the quality of social, environmental and economic evaluation, as well as the search for energy alternatives. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11201.aspx Fri, 22 May 2009 13:45:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11201.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11195.aspx Fri, 22 May 2009 10:51:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11195.aspx Unexplained revisions by the Consortium building the Jirau hydroelectric dam (part of the Rio Madeira complex) to the design of the initial project that was auctioned one year ago are expected to increase the overall project costs by 60% http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11191.aspx Thu, 21 May 2009 09:05:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11191.aspx Consultant Tecsult-Aecom along with ENDE, Bolivia's National Electricity Company, are in the final phases of the feasibility and design process for the proposed hydroelectric project, Cachuela Esperanza, which is expected to conclude in October, 2009 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11190.aspx Thu, 21 May 2009 07:26:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11190.aspx Lula and Garcia advance plans to expand hydroelectric integration. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11184.aspx Wed, 20 May 2009 10:14:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11184.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11169.aspx Mon, 11 May 2009 10:52:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11169.aspx Despite widespread cross-border problems, South America has more than its fair share of major bilateral hydro schemes. Itaipu remains one of the region’s largest hydro ventures, but what other schemes are on the cards? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11164.aspx Sun, 10 May 2009 10:59:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11164.aspx Peru is rushing to hold superficial public meetings to inform the public about plans to build the fifth largest hydroelectric dam in Latin America. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11141.aspx Thu, 07 May 2009 15:42:08 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11141.aspx The feasibility study for Peru's largest hydroelectric dam nears completion and public hearings will begin in 2009. Brazilian financing for the dam will likely result the first in a series of jointly funded hydroelectric projects in Peru that provide energy to Brazil http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11133.aspx Sat, 02 May 2009 09:06:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11133.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11129.aspx Fri, 01 May 2009 11:46:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11129.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11128.aspx Fri, 01 May 2009 10:59:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11128.aspx After a meeting between the two leaders, Lula and Garcia agreed to the construction of six hydroelectric projects which symbolizes stronger relations between the two countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11122.aspx Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:54:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11122.aspx In a time when the financial market is lacking credit, the fund for investment in infrastructure which derives its resources from the FGTS (FI-FGTS) will contribute R$ 1,640 billion in financing to the construction of the San Antonio hydroelectric plant in the Madeira river, and become a shareholder of the consortium. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11119.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:35:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11119.aspx Santander sold half of its shares in the consortium building the San Antonio Hydroelectric Plant in the Madeira River to the FI-FGTS (Investment Fund FGTS) http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11118.aspx Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:05:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11118.aspx Trends in the relationship between World Bank and IFC technical assistance policies and the IFC’s investment portfolio raise questions over possible conflicts of interest. Disclosure at the IFC remains opaque, making details of projects and policies hard to come by. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11117.aspx Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:06:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11117.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11102.aspx Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:07:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11102.aspx Read highlights from the 2nd Participants Committee Meeting of the FCPF, at which BIC served as an NGO observer. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11092.aspx Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:18:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11092.aspx The World Bank continues to commission feasibility studies for the proposed Red/Dead Sea Canal, but environmental and political issues remain major issues. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11124.aspx Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11124.aspx Requestors argue that the Gibe III Dam is set to deplete Lake Turkana with dramatic impacts on downstream communities in Kenya, and in the absence of public consultation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11057.aspx Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:27:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11057.aspx Civil society requests for a delay go unanswered as the project is approved in the absence of an environmental impact assessment and amid significant transparency and governance issues. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11047.aspx Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:23:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11047.aspx The Amazon Basin Indigenous Peoples Organization (COICA) with our worldview, diversity of languages, history, cultures, spirituality, territory, economy, have existed since before recorded time. We have adopted different forms of organization and identity under the framework of the nation states which have established laws and regulations according to their own interests, not recognizing the ancestral rights of the first inhabitants of the amazon region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11034.aspx Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:08:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11034.aspx For the 2009 World Social Forum (WSF), a group composed of various organizations is organizing a two day workshop for updates and strategy building to inform, discuss, plan and act in defense of the rights of affected populations and the environment. The organizations are working to prevent and/or mitigate any type of social and environmental negative impacts caused by the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA) and other harmful development strategies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11019.aspx Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11019.aspx The state of Rondonia, Brazil is subject to ongoing land conflicts between large land owners, small farmers and the state. The proposed hydroelectric dams on the Madeira River and the promise of jobs will only accelerate uncontrolled migration to the region. Weak governance results in frequent, violent confrontations over natural resource use. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11013.aspx Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:32:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11013.aspx A new book of articles edited by Ricardo Verdum of the Brazilian Instituto de Estudio Socioeconomicos (Inesc) explores the trends in financing for megaprojects in South America. The book highlights the shifting balance between IFIs such as the World Bank, the IDB and CAF toward new institutions such as BNDES, as well as the competition between IIRSA and UNASUR. The book emphasizes the urgency for greater transparency and accountability in information and decision making about large, high risk infrastructure in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11006.aspx Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:50:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11006.aspx IDB Loan Approval Set for early 2009: The $200 million road project in Putumayo, Colombia is an anchor project for the IIRSA Amazonas Corridor and will unlock commercial traffic between the ports of Tumaco and Belem, as well as between Bogota and Quito. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11004.aspx Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:33:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11004.aspx The Madeira Energy S/A (Mesa) business consortium, responsible for the construction of the Santo Antônio 3,100 MW hydroelectric dam, the first of several mega-dams planned for the Madeira in the Brazilian state of Rondônia, was fined R$ 7,7 million ($US 3.3 million) by the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama) as a penalty for their responsibility in the ecological accidente that resulted in the death of 11 tons of fish. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11003.aspx Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:49:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11003.aspx The Inter American Development Bank set aside more than $900,000 to conduct a feasibility study into the road linking Guyana with Brazil. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11002.aspx Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:08:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11002.aspx Meanwhile, IFC mining investments in Guinea face uncertainty after the government revoked half of the IFC-backed Simandou concession, and over the future of the massive Guinea Alumina Project as Guinea's president dies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11001.aspx Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:11:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11001.aspx The October meeting between the Brazilian and Bolivian bilerateral technical commission on the Madeira Hydroelectric Dam and related projects focused on new technical research related to the cross-border health effects of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11000.aspx Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:37:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11000.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10994.aspx Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:04:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10994.aspx African Development Bank also contributing record loans to address power shortage. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10992.aspx Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:20:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10992.aspx Meanwhile, the IFC’s advisory services in revising the region's mining policies reinforce concerns over the lack of transparency of these types of operations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10991.aspx Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:36:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10991.aspx Meanwhile, people displaced by the project finally receive monetary compensation, nearly four years after being impoverished through a resettlement process that denied them the option of the land compensation they were entitled to. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10989.aspx Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10989.aspx Bujagali deal full of risk for one of world’s poorest countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10962.aspx Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:15:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10962.aspx A newly released joint report between Bank Information Center (BIC) and Global Witness critically assesses the World Bank Group's and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) success in increasing transparency in extractive industries in resource-rich countries. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3933.aspx Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3933.aspx Six months after the Office of Compliance, Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) found the IFC out of compliance with its own regulations for toxic emissions at the Karachaganak Oil and Gas Condensate Field in western Kazakhstan, the case remains open with the CAO because the IFC has failed to bring into compliance significant failures in the IFC’s environmental monitoring of activities at the Karachaganak field. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3926.aspx Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:28:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3926.aspx The International Finance Corporation's (IFC) website on extractive industries government payment disclosure has made progress, but certain gaps in data availability remain. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3924.aspx Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3924.aspx International Rivers has just released a new report "Power Surge," which chronicles the social and environmental debt created by a boom in hydropower development in Laos. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3913.aspx Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:59:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3913.aspx The World Bank Group (WBG) loans to countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) increased by 30% between FY07 and FY08. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3904.aspx Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3904.aspx The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a US$50 million loan for expansion of oil and gas extraction operations in the Timan-Pechora basin of the northern Komi Republic in Russia. Various civil society groups have raised concerns of the major project's implications for the environment and the indigenous Komi-Izhemts people's rights. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3902.aspx Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3902.aspx Following the August 25 reopening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline after the armed conflict in Georgia, the BTC has faced several technical and strategic issues when it comes to its future and viability. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3900.aspx Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3900.aspx The World Bank’s request amounts to an admission of failure in one of its most controversial and disastrous projects – once touted as a “model” for high-risk projects - after the Chadian government repeatedly used its newfound oil wealth in contravention of its agreements to invest in poverty reduction. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3892.aspx Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:34:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3892.aspx Over 100 civil society groups from 31 countries are calling on financial backers to withdraw their support from the the controversial Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh. The project will displace over 200,000 people, impoverish farming households and cause immense environmental impacts in one of the most fertile regions of Bangladesh. Despite these factors, according to information available on its website, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) remains interested in financing the project after having distanced itself from it earlier this year. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3881.aspx Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3881.aspx IFI involvement in mining and oil projects in the Timan-Pechora basin raises environmental and social concerns. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3882.aspx Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3882.aspx Since the Chinese economy has taken off and it has increasingly looked to Africa to provide raw materials, the World Bank and IMF have been confronted with the question of how to respond. Recent statements by the institutions have shown that these responses are careful and at times contradictory. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3877.aspx Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3877.aspx James Wolfensohn, a former World Bank president, may have assisted a corrupt businessman seeking control of Azerbaijan’s state oil company. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3873.aspx Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3873.aspx The International Finance Corporation (IFC) fails to provide adequate links to government payment disclosures by its extractive industry clients. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3874.aspx Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3874.aspx The International Finance Corporation's (IFC) $35 million investment in a Guinea iron mine is in jeopardy after the government rescinded a deal with mining company, Rio Tinto. At the same time, the IFC is exploring the possibility of a $500 million stake in a massive aluminum project in the West African country. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3871.aspx Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:39:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3871.aspx As the great powers seek energy security, Turkmenistan is at the center of a number of pipeline proposals. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3870.aspx Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3870.aspx A fire on the Turkish segment of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline has led to declined oil production, pipeline closure, and security fears. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3867.aspx Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3867.aspx But questions on compensation for displaced, “upstream” impacts, and gas flaring remain unanswered. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3864.aspx Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3864.aspx As the World Bank prepares to launch two new climate investment funds at the upcoming G8 summit, and positions itself as the "climate bank," new statistics developed by the Bank Information Center show that the World Bank's private sector arm, the International Financial Corporation (IFC), increased its lending for fossil fuel projects by a staggering 165% in FY2008. Taken as a whole, the World Bank Group increased its fossil-fuel lending by 60% in the same period. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3840.aspx Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3840.aspx On July 9-10, 2008, the International Monetarty Funds’s (IMF) Working Group on Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) held a two-day meeting in Singapore to address concerns around SWFs and consider possible guidelines. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3849.aspx Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3849.aspx Europe’s pursuit of new energy routes has helped secure Central Asia’s eligibility for funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB), leading to concerns about further extractive industry financing in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3851.aspx Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3851.aspx On June 16, 2008, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) agreed to loan up to $3.7 billion for the controversial oil and gas project in Russia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3846.aspx Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3846.aspx July riots signal the importance of transparency and responsible revenue management for Mongolia’s political stability. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3837.aspx Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3837.aspx Bank Information Center has recently released it's new "Handbook for Advocacy on Extractive Industry Revenues: Good Practices and the IMF’s Guide on Resource Revenue Transparency." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3836.aspx Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:34:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3836.aspx The Bota Foundation, administered by the World Bank, held its first Board of Trustees meeting in June. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3824.aspx Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3824.aspx World Bank involvement in the proposed Inga and Kafue dams has brought criticism over the continued reliance on hydro in a warming world, and intentions to power foreign mining companies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3822.aspx Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3822.aspx As Newmont, the world's largest mining company prepares for gold mining operations in Ghana, civil society groups challenge the purported benefits for local communities. Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has come under fire for the environmental and social legacies of its gold mining investments in Ghana and its plans proceed to begin the next phase of Newmont's controversial Ahafo gold project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3821.aspx Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:45:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3821.aspx Russian oil and gas companies Gazprom and Lukoil discovered a major oil and gas condensate deposit in the Caspian Sea. The deposit will be developed along with Kazakhstan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3806.aspx Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:15:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3806.aspx Kazakhstan has signed into law a 2006 agreement to transport oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, while making plans to connect its oil to the BTC route through additional domestic and trans-Caspian pipelines. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3804.aspx Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3804.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3792.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3792.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3794.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3794.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the Kyrgyz Republic. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3795.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3795.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Mongolia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3796.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3796.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Georgia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3797.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3797.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Russia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3798.aspx Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3798.aspx In a recently released audit report, the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Office of Compliance, Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) has found that the IFC is out of compliance with safety standards for toxic emissions at the giant Karachaganak Oil and Gas Condensate Field in western Kazakhstan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3745.aspx Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:43:06 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3745.aspx In response to requests from the Bank Information Center (BIC) and other civil society organizations, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has begun providing links to where IFC extractive industry clients disclose their payments to host governments. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:52:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx The Director of the Asian Development Bank’s Private Sector Operations Department, Robert Bestani, notified the Bank’s Board of Directors last week that it will take the Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh out of the Bank’s funding pipeline. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3720.aspx Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:29:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3720.aspx DRC mining contract commission to push for a greater share in the Tenke Fungurume mining concession, one of the largest copper-cobalt deposits in the world. Critics charge that EIB's investment in the highly contested project before the conclusion of the contract review was "irresponsible." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3719.aspx Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3719.aspx The World Bank is considering financing a hydroelectric dam between Burundi and Tanzania that would boost mining production in East Africa. But in an area prone to drought, particularly with the onset of climate change, questions remain about the project's sustainability and whether it will be worth the projected $190 million cost. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3718.aspx Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3718.aspx As wealthy local and foreign investors purchase more and more Brazilian land, wuestions over how to contain rising land prices emerge. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3708.aspx Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:56:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3708.aspx As a significant rebel threat to his government appears to recede, Chadian President Idriss Deby has clamped down on political opponents and bypassed controls established by an agreement with the World Bank to redirect oil revenues for military use. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3693.aspx Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:14:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3693.aspx Following similar announcements by other multilateral development banks, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last week endorsed the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3689.aspx Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:45:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3689.aspx Read the preliminary assessment of the implementation of project level revenue transparency commitments for the extractive industry projects financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:08:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Iraq’s renewed Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) includes macroeconomic policy reforms that may restrict fiscal space for public spending, particularly on the public wage bill. It also continues the deep involvement of international financial institutions in Iraq’s oil sector. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3671.aspx Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3671.aspx Kashagan Oil Field threatens local livelihoods, health, and endangered species. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3669.aspx Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3669.aspx While the World Bank has expressed its support for the move, calling the new fiscal regime "more equitable," critics counter that the Bank was responsible for insisting on rock-bottom tax rates in 1998 that have deprived the government of much-needed revenue as copper prices soared. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3672.aspx Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:22:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3672.aspx Addressing the African Union Summit on Thursday, January 31, 2008, World Bank President Zoellick committed to expanding the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3667.aspx Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:11:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3667.aspx After several delays, the gas pipeline project is expected to enter into initial constuction phase in 2009 amid civil society concerns over environmental and social impacts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3660.aspx Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:44:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3660.aspx Construction of the dam proceeds despite an ongoing investigation into claims presented by civil society groups that the project violates environmental and social standards of both the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx World Bank's Inspection Panel expected to submit findings of its investigation into claims made by local communities that the project violated the Bank's environmental and social policies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3632.aspx Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:11:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3632.aspx Leaked report lists IFC-sponsored Kalukundi concession among contracts recommended for renegotiation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3576.aspx Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:34:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3576.aspx The claim runs contrary to a recent report which found that over 40 percent of IFC projects implemented between 1996 and 2006 failed to deliver positive development results. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3575.aspx Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:15:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3575.aspx According to Bloomberg, the plant would require the use of up to two-thirds of the dam's output. The World Bank previously indicated that it may be willing to support the expansion of the dam. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3574.aspx Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:03:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3574.aspx Guilt for the environmental catastrophe in the Strait of Kerch lies with the authorities in Russia and Ukraine, as well as with the companies transporting dangerous cargo http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3572.aspx Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3572.aspx A coalition of non-governmental organisations from Europe, North America, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) launched an international appeal today demanding the publication of the final report of the ministerial commission on the review of mining contracts without delay. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3563.aspx Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:31:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3563.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Mongolia. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3552.aspx Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3552.aspx In it's first major petrochemical investment since Peru’s Camisea Natural Gas project, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will likely loan US$1.5 billion to Ecuador to help the country's state-owned oil company PetroEcuador. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3535.aspx Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:48:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3535.aspx The African Development Bank (AfDB) will contribute $100 million despite ongoing review into alleged irregularities associated with mining concession contract. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3520.aspx Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:49:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3520.aspx The African Development Bank's $500 million loan to support Eskom's expansion raises the question of whether it wields sufficient leverage to ensure adherence to its social and environmental safeguards. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3505.aspx Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:49:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3505.aspx In an effort to reduce dependence on Russian gas, the European Union endorses the development of the Nabucco gas pipeline. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3501.aspx Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:21:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3501.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3500.aspx Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:24:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3500.aspx Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3499.aspx Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:57:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3499.aspx Proposed copper-cobalt and gold projects re-enforce civil society's misgivings about the International Finance Corporation's commitment to environmental and social sustainability. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3507.aspx Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3507.aspx Major weaknesses found in IFC’s environmental, health standards http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3477.aspx Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:12:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3477.aspx Although construction of the controversial hydropower project in Uganda began last week, debate continues over the dam's design, cost and impacts. A recent article in the Baltimore Sun provides details. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3473.aspx Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:59:15 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3473.aspx Last week, National Public Radio's Morning Edition broadcast a story on the debate surrounding the World Bank-financed Bujagali dam in Uganda. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3471.aspx Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:00:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3471.aspx A recent article by the World Bank applauds governments in MENA for increasing investment in environmental protection. While the World Bank is encouraging MENA countries to decrease their carbon emissions, it continues to finance extractive industry projects in the region. This apparent contradiction is just one of several reasons to take a closer look at the Bank's recent coverage of the 'greening' of MENA. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3470.aspx Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:19:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3470.aspx BIC's new assessment reviews EI operations in more than 40 countries for the lending period of July 2005 to December 2006. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3462.aspx Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:39:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3462.aspx The Asian Development Bank has completed the consultation process on its draft Energy Strategy. Civil society organizations from throughout the region have called on the ADB to incorporate current international best practices in sector, and at minimum to adopt the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:54:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx China's "no-strings-attached" investments in Africa appear to many a welcome alternative to the conditional loans offered by the World Bank and IMF. But what consequences will China's growing involvement on the continent have for Africans? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3460.aspx Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:21:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3460.aspx The Bank's $250 million Forest Carbon Partnership Facility will offer some nations carbon credits in exchange for preserving their forests. The fund is anticipated to launch in December. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3454.aspx Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:43:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3454.aspx The European Investment Bank this week approved €100 million ($130 million) for the controversial Tenke Fungurume mining project, despite calls from civil society for public lenders to await the outcome of an ongoing examination of 60 mining contracts. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3445.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:21:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3445.aspx Find out what extractive industry (oil, gas, mining) and energy projects the international financial institutions (IFIs) are financing in your country. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3395.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3395.aspx Sale of gas from EIB-financed LNG plant in Egypt at discount prices raises questions about who benefited from the deal. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3443.aspx Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:18:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3443.aspx World Bank-backed project to receive Inspection Panel visit. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3437.aspx Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3437.aspx Critics argue that OPIC's expected investment in the Tenke Fungurume mine appears to prejudge the outcomes of the ongoing government review process. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3436.aspx Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:05:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3436.aspx Plans to scale up investments in mining, large infrastructure, and private education raises concerns among civil society groups skeptical of the IFC's commitment to development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3427.aspx Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3427.aspx Critics contend that even with the upcoming review of 60 mining contracts signed during the war and by the interim government, the Congolese stand to benefit little. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3399.aspx Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3399.aspx Just weeks after the World Bank Group approved $360 million in loans and guarantees for the Bujagali Hydroelectric Dam, the project is again in the news following renewed debate over the crisis facing Lake Victoria. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3404.aspx Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3404.aspx The World Bank is preparing to announce a new $250 million fund aimed at using carbon finance to reduce emissions from deforestation. According to recent news reports, world leaders have encouraged the Bank to move forward with plans to create a Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), which would leverage private investor money and donor contributions to help countries develop strategies for avoiding forest degradation and secure payment for forest-related emissions reduction, through the creation of tradable carbon credits. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3398.aspx Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:12:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3398.aspx While NGOs express disappointment at the G8’s failure to take any bold steps on climate change during the recent summit in Heligendamm, Germany, the World Bank has praised the meeting outcomes and applauded the emphasis on market mechanisms to combat climate change. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3394.aspx Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:01:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3394.aspx The Asian Development Bank released a draft of its proposed Energy Strategy on May 28 for a sixty day comment period ending July 27, 2007. Civil society groups will engage with ADB but want to see more iterations of draft. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3391.aspx Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:56:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3391.aspx The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) held its Annual Governors Meeting in Kazan, Russia May 20-21, 2007. The NGO Programme organized by the Bank attracted a large array of civil society organizations from Russia and abroad. While many questions were left unanswered by the Bank, NGOs succeeded in raising issues of critical importance to civil society in Russia and elsewhere. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3384.aspx Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3384.aspx Local groups argue that the controversial IFC-sponsored Ahafo gold mine seriously threatens the environment and livelihoods. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3338.aspx Mon, 14 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3338.aspx Bank approves $360 million financing package for dam on Victoria Nile despite concerns about climate change, environmental impacts and cost. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3291.aspx Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:20:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3291.aspx The World Bank produced a progress report on its Africa Action Plan in advance of the Spring Meetings in Washington, DC earlier this month. How has the Bank measured up to its commitments, and what should Africa expect moving forward? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3287.aspx Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3287.aspx World Bank Managing Director, Juan Jose Daboub, apparently tried to delete the words "climate change" from the institution's main environmental strategy paper, reports the Financial Times. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3286.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:01:55 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3286.aspx In a press release following yesterday's decision, NGOs accuse the Bank of ignoring inconvenient truths about climate change, hydrology and fisheries. They warn the project may threaten Lake Victoria and leave the majority of Ugandans in the dark. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3292.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3292.aspx The World Bank Group's pledge to reduce greenhouse gases rings hollow as the organization increases assistance for the development of fossil fuels. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3272.aspx Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:44:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3272.aspx Report highlights disrepancies between conclusions of the World Bank and the official project monitors. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3270.aspx Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3270.aspx The World Bank-backed Chad-Cameroon pipeline is once again in the news - this time following the release of a new report which documents the heavy toll that oil development has taken on the local population in southern Chad. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3261.aspx Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3261.aspx Investigation to focus on issues of compensation, safety, livelihood impacts, and gas flaring http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3263.aspx Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3263.aspx Civil society remains concerned about limited public participation and energy planning, risks to Chad-Cameroon pipeline and forest reserves, and expectations that the dam would serve industrial interests. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3264.aspx Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3264.aspx Many remain skeptical that the proposed project represents a solution to Africa’s energy woes http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3247.aspx Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:56:13 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3247.aspx Eva Joly encourages Zambian parliamentarians to demand greater revenues so that the country could benefit from its lucrative copper industry http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3396.aspx Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3396.aspx Taking advantage of rising commodity prices, the International Finance Corporation plans to expand its hard rock mining activities to incorporate copper, aluminum and iron ore http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3215.aspx Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:09:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3215.aspx A coalition of NGOs launched an appeal to the Congolese government, the World Bank and other international partners to "renegotiate, revoke or cancel" disadvantageous mining contracts made during the war and under the transitional government, in order to ensure that the Congolese people derive a "fair share" from the exploitation of the country's natural resources. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3209.aspx Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:14:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3209.aspx The use of public money by the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank to extract uranium poses a serious cause for concern, not only because of threat of contamination of local water sources, but because of the precedent it would set. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3199.aspx Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:58:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3199.aspx Controversial World Bank-backed project faces further obstacles due to ongoing instability in Nigeria’s turbulent Niger Delta region. In recent months, unrest in the Delta has been marked by kidnappings of oil workers and attacks on oil installations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3198.aspx Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:44:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3198.aspx At a two-day “experience-sharing meeting” on the extractive industries (EI) in Africa last week in Tunis, the banks agreed to intensify their collaboration on EI work and support for the implementation of the EITI by resource-rich countries in Africa. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3181.aspx Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:01:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3181.aspx Although Dr. Sarah Wykes, an anti-corruption campaigner at Global Witness, has been released from prison following her Feb 20 arrest on espionage charges, she has not yet been able to leave the oil-rich Cabina region, where she was detained. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3165.aspx Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3165.aspx IDB President Moreno suggests that increased U.S. ethanol needs could be provided by Latin America http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3155.aspx Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:22:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3155.aspx A report released last week documents the failure of the proposed Bujagali Dam in Uganda to fully comply with the international best practices set by the World Commission on Dams (WCD) http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3157.aspx Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3157.aspx The controversial Chad-Cameroon pipeline is again in the news after an off-shore oil spill occurred near the town of Kribi in coastal Cameroon. Meanwhile in southern Chad, where ExxonMobil and its consortium partners extract nearly 200,000 barrels of “black gold” per day, the security situation and living conditions are deteriorating. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3148.aspx Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:20:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3148.aspx An article in The Times described a secret high-level meeting of the heads of several Western mining companies and UN and World Bank officials concerning competition from Chinese investors in Africa’s mining sector http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3140.aspx Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3140.aspx The U.S. Government Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) recommended to British Petroleum (BP) that more safety precautions are needed for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline, which transports oil from the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan and Georgia to Turkey. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3131.aspx Tue, 06 Feb 2007 17:36:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3131.aspx The World Bank recently released its annual report on Bank Management’s progress in implementing the recommendations laid out in the 2003 Extractive Industries Review (EIR). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3127.aspx Fri, 02 Feb 2007 11:30:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3127.aspx Concerns include the draft's failure to adequately address the Bank's internal governance and the role of the private sector. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3118.aspx Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:43:46 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3118.aspx The Center for Environment and Development (CED), a Cameroon-based organization that has been active in monitoring the impacts of the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project, has issued a press release on the incident. CED notes, among other things, a concern regarding the poor communication and long delay in alerting the public and local authorities about the spill. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3108.aspx Wed, 24 Jan 2007 17:44:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3108.aspx The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has decided not to fund the largest oil and gas project in the world, Sakhalin II, on Russia’s Far Eastern island after several years of consultations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3091.aspx Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:58:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3091.aspx BIC's Europe and Central Asia program recently conducted a research study of legal agreement disclosure in European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Extractive Industries projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3083.aspx Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:38:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3083.aspx BIC's Europe and Central Asia program has compiled an easy access source of information on International Financial Institution (IFI) disclosure policies and their weaknesses. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3082.aspx Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:32:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3082.aspx In July 2001, the World Bank Group (WBG) commissioned the Extractive Industry Review (EIR), a process led by an independent secretariat established to analyze whether extractive industries projects could be compatible with the WBG’s goals of sustainable development and poverty reduction. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3081.aspx Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:23:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3081.aspx In an op-ed about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the Boston Globe, authors John le Carre and Jason Stearns criticized the unfavorable mining contracts signed between several international companies and Gecamines, the Congolese state-owned copper company, as a threat to the country’s prospects for lasting peace and development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3088.aspx Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3088.aspx Both the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and European Investment Bank (EIB) disclosed project documents for the controversial Bujagali hydroelectric dam this week; IFC board date set for April 2007 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3070.aspx Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3070.aspx The EIB's emphasis on large, fossil fuel-based infrastructure projects a major cause for concern. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3067.aspx Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3067.aspx The twenty-three projects featured on the map show wide temporal and geographic scope - demonstrating that the incidence of Canadian mining projects associated with significant adverse social and environmental problems is far more widespread than the mining industry would have you believe. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3044.aspx Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:14:30 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3044.aspx After months of strained negotiations, it appears that Shell and its partners have given Gazprom, the Russian-state owned gas monopoly, 50 percent plus one control of the controversial oil and gas project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3046.aspx Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3046.aspx An NGO letter to the World Bank details urgent concerns regarding the Bujagali hydropower project in Uganda, which is being fast-tracked for development early next year. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3035.aspx Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3035.aspx An internal memo warns that the Bank may be complicit in the non-transparent awarding of mining contracts that are unfavorable to the country http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3021.aspx Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3021.aspx European Investment Bank to provide funds for controversial Uganda dam http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3022.aspx Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:05:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3022.aspx BIC and partners challenge World Bank and US Government controversial support of Big Oil in November 14 Financial Times advertisement. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3014.aspx Mon, 13 Nov 2006 23:35:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3014.aspx The Sakhalin II project has come under fierce scrutiny by the Russian authorities in recent days, and may be suspended in certain sections due to allegations of illegal deforestation, the dumping of toxic waste, and soil erosion. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2994.aspx Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2994.aspx More than 100 civil society activists from over 50 countries gathered this past week in Oslo, Norway, called for stronger requirements on disclosure of revenues and contracts in the oil, mining and gas sectors. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2982.aspx Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:24:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2982.aspx In a written response to civil society organizations, the World Bank has agreed to disclose its comments on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the planned Lom Pangar hydroelectric project in eastern Cameroon. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2975.aspx Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2975.aspx On the "golden" 50th anniversary of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), civil society organizations have released a briefing paper questioning the institution's investment in gold mining and calling for the IFC to report its development impacts on a project-by-project basis. <UL> <LI class=DocPDF> <DIV class=DocPDF><A href="http://www.bicusa.org/proxy/Document.9518.aspx" target="">Tarnished Gold: Mining and the unmet promise of development</A> September 2006 (Acrobat pdf 376 KB)</DIV></LI></UL> http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2956.aspx Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:05:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2956.aspx A new NGO report finds that the World Bank's promise to seriously support alternative enery remains unfullfilled. Released in Singapore during the Bank's annual meeting, the report--How the World Bank's Energy Framework Sells the Climate and Poor People Short--calls on the Bank to step up efforts to meet basic energy needs of the poor, to stop subsidizing northern oil companies, and to redirect existing dirty energy financing to renewable technologies and energy efficiency projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2954.aspx Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:13:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2954.aspx The EIR update contains information about International Financial Institutions (IFI) and civil society activities related to the implementation of EIR recommendations and World Bank Group Management commitments. Highlights relevant events, deadlines, and other developments related to IFI policies and operations in the EI sector. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2952.aspx Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:50:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2952.aspx These documents were produced in association with a recent IFC/WB workshop entitled, "Sharing Experience: Enhancing the Benefits http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2951.aspx Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:39:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2951.aspx This paper assesses a decade of IFI operations in Azerbaijan and how those operations have performed in relation to the goal of economic diversification – a main objective of IFI lending programs and the main priority of Azerbaijan's poverty reduction program. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2934.aspx Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:41:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2934.aspx The Publish What You Pay coalition organized a briefing at the House of Representatives to highlight the lack of transparency and pervasive corruption in oil, gas and mining sector projects in the developing world. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2850.aspx Tue, 20 Jun 2006 17:24:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2850.aspx In a letter to World Bank Executive Directors, civil society organizations are calling for the recognition of a community referendum in Guatemala. Communities in Sipacapa, one of the municipalities impacted by the mine, registered their position on mineral development through a popular referendum in June 2005 with a majority of villages (11 out of 13) signing community acts stating their position against mining. It has become increasingly apparent that the IFC is not taking responsibility for the problems posed by the Marlin Mine and in particular the plight of the communities which have been adversely affected. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2838.aspx Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:48:55 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2838.aspx Publicly disclosed external observer monitoring reports on Sakhalin II project were different from the original reports on which the released reports were allegedly based. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2835.aspx Mon, 12 Jun 2006 09:46:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2835.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2800.aspx Thu, 18 May 2006 15:42:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2800.aspx The situation on remote Sakhalin Island, considered to be one of the most promising new ventures by oil and gas corporations, has many concerned that environmental protection is taking a backseat to oil extraction. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2786.aspx Fri, 12 May 2006 11:24:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2786.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2711.aspx Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:09:43 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2711.aspx The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development held the first of several public consultations in London on the Sakhalin II gas project, part of the 120-day public consultation period due to end on April 21. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2672.aspx Tue, 14 Mar 2006 11:30:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2672.aspx NGOs call upon the World Bank to investigate mining contracts and problems with the Bank's reform project in DR Congo. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2665.aspx Fri, 03 Mar 2006 17:36:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2665.aspx The review reveals that the World Bank Group has done little to effectively and transparently factor governance considerations into the selection and sequencing of its support for extractive industry (EI) projects and strategies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2630.aspx Tue, 07 Feb 2006 18:40:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2630.aspx Peaceful protests on Sakhalin island urge EBRD to reject financing for reckless Sakhalin II project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2618.aspx Tue, 31 Jan 2006 13:44:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2618.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2617.aspx Tue, 31 Jan 2006 13:35:51 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2617.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2512.aspx Tue, 31 Jan 2006 09:53:41 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2512.aspx Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water "silently denied" Canadian mining company gold mining development. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2599.aspx Mon, 23 Jan 2006 15:44:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2599.aspx The IFC shared a draft “check list” for investment officers on “assessment of risks to project benefits”. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2586.aspx Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:00:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2586.aspx The report reviews the World Bank Group's progress in implementating the Extractive Industries Review since October 2004. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2580.aspx Thu, 12 Jan 2006 12:45:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2580.aspx In what some have described as Wolfowitz's first real test in his new position, the President announced the suspension of all World Bank loans to Chad on Friday. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2569.aspx Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:33:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2569.aspx CEE Bankwatch and BIC release new report "Grounded in Washington" assessing World Bank Group implementation of the Extractive Industries Review commitments. <ul><li class="DocPDF"> <a href=" http://aa.ecn.cz/img_upload/2a47e698cb07569dfd0ebe077b6aad99/grounded_in_dc_web.pdf "> “Grounded in Washington” </a> CEE Bankwatch and BIC, December, 2005 (Acrobat PDF 1.5MB) </li></ul> http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2552.aspx Thu, 22 Dec 2005 12:04:19 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2552.aspx Affected communities ask to meet with World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2466.aspx Fri, 04 Nov 2005 14:18:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2466.aspx Manish Bapna, BIC's Executive Director, highlighted the importance of strengthening the IFC's performance standards and creating binding social and environmental obligations for the mining industry in a recent letter to the New York Times. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2463.aspx Mon, 31 Oct 2005 11:27:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2463.aspx The government of Chad has announced its intention to amend the Petroleum Revenue Management Law—the much-vaunted centerpiece of the World Bank’s “model” Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline project—in order to increase revenues available for discretionary spending today. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2450.aspx Thu, 27 Oct 2005 11:07:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2450.aspx A recent New York Times feature on gold mining has sparked renewed interest in an industry that has been scrutinized by civil society groups, development organizations and affected communities for quite some time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2447.aspx Wed, 26 Oct 2005 15:37:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2447.aspx Coinciding with the proposed time for release of WB Progress Report on EIR implementation, on December 11-14, 2005 CEE Bankwatch and BIC will host a workshop in Washington, DC to highlight WBG performance on the implementation of EIR recommendations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2446.aspx Wed, 26 Oct 2005 11:47:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2446.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2430.aspx Fri, 21 Oct 2005 16:47:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2430.aspx Report released on October 11, ahead of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline opening ceremony in Tbilisi, Georgia details the infringements detected in the construction phase of the Georgian section of the BTC pipeline and the problems – many of them with long-term implications – faced by Georgians during the implementation of the project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2402.aspx Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:17:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2402.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2367.aspx Tue, 04 Oct 2005 16:26:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2367.aspx In response to recommendations arising from last July's G8 summit at Gleneagles, the World Bank and the G8 Presidency began work on an investment framework and implementation strategy for clean energy and sustainable development during the 2005 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2355.aspx Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:38:10 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2355.aspx The Advisory Group is intended to serve as a forum for discussion of extrative industry projects. The first meeting is scheduled for October 5-6, 2005 in Washington, DC. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2353.aspx Wed, 28 Sep 2005 12:34:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2353.aspx Read the Bank Information Center's review of the CAO report criticizing the IFC's role in the Marlin open pit goldmine project. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2333.aspx Tue, 13 Sep 2005 10:37:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2333.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2290.aspx Thu, 18 Aug 2005 15:01:08 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2290.aspx The United States Treasury issues a report for US Congress on the amount and type of assistance provided for EI activities since September 30, 2004 by each IFI. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2289.aspx Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:49:43 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2289.aspx The director of the Oil, Mining, Gas and Chemicals Department responds to a civil society letter noting lack of progress on implementing Extractive Industries Review recommendations. Read the full response and highlights. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2285.aspx Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:11:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2285.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2195.aspx Thu, 14 Jul 2005 14:23:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2195.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2202.aspx Thu, 14 Jul 2005 11:48:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2202.aspx More than 70 civil society organizations send a letter to the WB Executive Directors highlighting concerns about an increase in high-risk EI investment and the Bank’s lack of progress in implementing its EIR commitments. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2197.aspx Wed, 06 Jul 2005 15:12:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2197.aspx Read about the popular referendum on mining held in the town of Sipacapa, San Marcos, where ore from the Marlin Mine will be cyanide processed. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2191.aspx Fri, 01 Jul 2005 10:27:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2191.aspx The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was officially opened on May 25 with Presidential ceremony. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2131.aspx Tue, 31 May 2005 15:21:45 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2131.aspx Read the latest updates about the Camisea Gas Project: find out about the planned project expansion and learn more about where the royalties are really going. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2112.aspx Fri, 13 May 2005 16:29:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2112.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2104.aspx Thu, 05 May 2005 16:39:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2104.aspx Read a report on the Marlin Mine and the effects of foreign investment in mining in Guatemala from the perspective of those impacted by the industry. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2019.aspx Wed, 23 Mar 2005 12:21:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2019.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1925.aspx Tue, 15 Feb 2005 12:58:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1925.aspx Several NGOs are demanding changes to the new policy, hoping to set the EBRD on a more sustainable and equitable energy development path. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1886.aspx Fri, 04 Feb 2005 13:38:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1886.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1774.aspx Tue, 30 Nov 2004 15:35:26 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1774.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1636.aspx Wed, 22 Sep 2004 14:05:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1636.aspx On June 18, 2004, World Bank Group Management issued its final response to the EIR for a 30-day public comment period, through July 18, 2004. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1494.aspx Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:40:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1494.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1495.aspx Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:59:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1495.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1472.aspx Wed, 09 Jun 2004 20:22:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1472.aspx Sign-on letters, public statements and press coverage reflect mounting pressure on the World Bank Group to implement EIR recommendations. World Bank management will submit its response to the recommendations and proposed action plan to the Board of Directors for discussion some time in June 2004. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1361.aspx Fri, 07 May 2004 20:11:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1361.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1405.aspx Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:59:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1405.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1404.aspx Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:34:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1404.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1403.aspx Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:00:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1403.aspx The final report of the Extractive Industries Review specifically recommends that the World Bank Group promote transparency in revenue flows, set up independent grievance mechanisms, improve access to information at the local level.... http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1357.aspx Wed, 10 Mar 2004 17:15:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1357.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1362.aspx Wed, 11 Feb 2004 20:32:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1362.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1292.aspx Fri, 06 Feb 2004 12:56:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1292.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1192.aspx Tue, 27 Jan 2004 15:01:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1192.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1200.aspx Mon, 12 Jan 2004 16:07:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1200.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.573.aspx Sun, 11 Jan 2004 16:34:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.573.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.572.aspx Sun, 11 Jan 2004 16:18:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.572.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.571.aspx Sun, 11 Jan 2004 15:11:16 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.571.aspx