Continental Minerals, a Canadian subsidiary of Hunter Dickinson Inc, based in Vancouver, is currently conducting exploratory drilling in Shethongmon, near Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. Under Chinese occupation, Tibetans are unable to determine the use of their own natural resources, especially non renewable resources like gold and copper. The Chinese government is aggressively promoting Tibet to foreign mining firms as a means to strip the country of its resources, while consolidating control over the region by moving increasing numbers of Chinese settlers into Tibet to work on these projects.

With weak rule of law in Tibet and China, mining projects are socially, ecologically and economically destructive. Gold mining is a process that is particularly destructive to local environments for a number of reasons including the chemicals used in processing - usually cyanide or arsenic - and the sheer volume of waste rock left behind. The Shethongmon site is located very close to the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which is the main water source for Shigatse and other Tibetan communities living downstream.

SFT Canada is calling on Hunter Dickinson/Continental to immediately cease all operations and withdraw from Tibet. Please send a letter now to Continental CEO, Gerard Panneton, voicing your opposition to the project.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am appalled to learn that Continental Minerals is currently pursuing exploratory drilling in Shethongmon, in central Tibet. Tibet is an occupied territory and for over 50 years Tibetans have been denied their internationally recognized right to determine the use of their own natural resources. Tibetans who voice opposition to Chinese government sponsored projects - like mine operations - risk arrest, imprisonment and even torture.

Mining in Tibet poses a serious risk to Tibetan people, their cultural survival, and the environment. The Chinese government pursues resource extraction projects in Tibet as a means to consolidate control over the region by attracting thousands of ethnically Chinese migrant workers to Tibet, further marginalizing local Tibetans economically, socially and politically. Tibetans reap few if any benefits from the extraction of their own natural wealth, which is transferred out of Tibet for use in China's resource dependent provinces. Local communities are left to deal with the environmental harm and social dislocation associated with these projects.

It is unconscionable that your company continues to operate in Tibet, considering that the Tibetan people are not able to freely consent to the project nor will they share in the profits from the extraction of their own resources.

I call on you to immediately cease all operations and withdraw from Tibet. Do the right thing: uphold your claim to be a responsible mining firm.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 15, 2006