The banner – measuring 12 square metres – was to be hung in the foyer of BHP Billiton’s head office, but was quickly confiscated by BHP Billiton security. A protest was also planned for BHP Billiton’s London offices when the petition will be formally presented to company management.
BHP’s IndoMet coal concessions cover 350,000ha in central and east Kalimantan. The area holds more than 1.2 billion tonnes of coking coal and is located in the “Heart of Borneo” region.
WWF reports that the area is home to 6% of the world’s biodiversity, with three new species, on average, discovered every month since 2005.
Protest group Market Forces spokesman Julien Vincent said: “Thousands of people have signed this petition to call on BHP to scrap plans for what would be an environmental and social disaster.
“Rather than trying to mine for coal in the Heart of Borneo, BHP Billiton should do the right thing and seek permanent protections for this unique part of the world.”
“As a member of the International Council on Metals and Mining, BHP has committed to obtaining the consent of indigenous peoples for mining operations affecting their land, including for customary owners or occupants of land or resources.”
However, local people in the village of Maruwai who live near the Haju mine, the first concession being developed by the company, report being forced on threat of arrest to accept less than half a cent per square metre from BHP for their traditional lands, according to Market Forces.
Next week, Maruwai villagers will be filing a claim with the Central Kalimantan government for legal recognition of over 1000ha of land that is currently held in BHP Billiton’s Haju concession.
Global Justice Now organiser Alex Scrivener said: “It is simply unacceptable for one of the richest companies in the world to refuse to recognise the legitimate land rights of indigenous people in the area.
“This project is bad news for local people and bad news for the world’s climate. In a world that is oversupplied with coal, there is simply no justification for developing the IndoMet project.”
