In Search of Aluminum: China’s Role in the Mekong Region 2009 In Search of Aluminum: China’s Role in the Mekong Region Written by: Kate M. Lazarus Graphic Design by: Peter Stannard Cover images by: Gary Milner (left), Karen Rakow (bottom right) and Lorena Molinari (top right) Courtesy of iStockphoto.com © Produced in 2009 with the support of: Heinrich Böll Stiftung Cambodia #34 Street 222, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh P.O. Box 1436, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (+855) 023 210 535 Fax: (+855) 023 216 482 E-Mail:
[email protected] Website: www.boell-cambodia.org WWF Denmark Ryesgade 3 F 2200 Copenhagen N Denmark Tel: (+45) 035 36 36 35 Fax: (+45) 035 24 78 68 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.wwf.dk International Institute for Sustainable Development. 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0Y4 Canada Tel: (+1) 0204 958 7700 Fax: (+1) 0204 958 7710 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.iisd.org, www.tradeknowledgenetwork.net Copyright © 2009 - Heinrich Böll Stiftung, WWF and International Institute for Sustainable Development Table of Contents List of Figures, Tables & Boxes ii Acknowledgements ii Project Description ii Abbreviations & Acronyms iii Glossary iv Executive Summary 1 1 Introduction 6 2 Investment in Bauxite Mining in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam 7 2.1 Cambodia 7 2.1.1 Mondulkiri province 7 2.1.2 Major investors 8 2.1.3 BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi 9 2.2 Laos 11 2.2.1 Bolaven plateau 11 2.2.2 Major investors 13 2.2.3 Volume of investments 17 2.3 Vietnam 17 2.3.1 Bauxite mining in the Central Highlands 18 2.3.2