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Dear all, some may be interested in this. Cheers Bill -----Original Message----- From: Alastair Fraser [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alastair Fraser Sent: 05 March 2007 16:25 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Research report on privatisation of Zambia's copper mines ++ With apologies for any cross-posting. Please feel free to publicise this message widely via your email contacts, by posting it on internet list-serves and through newsletters and websites ++ Dear all, I am writing to invite you to read the report, "For Whom The Windfalls? Winners & losers in the privatisation of Zambia's copper mines", and to have a look at the companion website: www.minewatchzambia.com The report, written by Alastair Fraser and John Lungu and published by the Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia (CSTNZ) and the Catholic Commission for Justice Development and Peace (CCJDP) is about the impacts of the privatisation of copper mines in Zambia on workers, local communities, the environment and Zambia's wider economy. It argues that, "the Government, the companies and aid donors now face a crisis of legitimacy as communities on the Copperbelt express their frustration, through strikes, protests and the ballot box, that they are not seeing the development gains they were promised and expected. Their bitterness is fuelled by the perception that massive wealth is being generated by mining as world prices for copper hit record highs but that, because of privatisation, it is leaving the country before Zambians see significant benefits." As the blog on the website reports, just this week around 8,000 workers in two of the biggest mines have taken strike action for better pay. Hard copies of the report are only available in limited numbers in Zambia, so going to the website is the best way to download a copy. Perhaps the most significant contribution of the research is that it makes public, via the website, previously confidential contracts brokered by the World Bank and signed between the Zambian Government and a range of global mining corporations. The content of the contracts, and the process by which they were negotiated, are heavily criticised in the report. The website includes a 'blog' providing updates on the mining industry in Zambia. If you live on the Copperbelt, or work in trade unions, NGOs or the mining industry and would like us to publicise information or views on mining in Zambia via the blog, please get in touch by replying to this email. You can comment on the report or issues to do with mining via a 'comment' function in the blog and we hope that this will become the site of further discussion on the issues raised. If you want to subscribe to the blog by email, either reply to this message, or type your email address into the box provided on the website. With thanks for your interest and any help you can offer with circulating and publicising this message, Alastair Fraser [log in to unmask]