BHP Shareholders for Social Responsibility

Brief History of our Activity.

The group was formed in 1994 as a result of concerns regarding the environmental damage done in Papua New Guinea, to the Ok Tedi and Fly Rivers, by BHP's Ok Tedi copper mine.

This led on to interests which include:

• 1995 - BHP's influence upon PNG legislation, which removed the rights of local people
• 1996 - Gippsland-Sydney gas pipeline, environmental and native title issues
• 1997 - Lack of rehabilitation at deep open cut coal mines in Queensland's Bowen Basin
• 1998 - Whistle Blower cases; a continuing oil leak at Groote Eylandt, and
  unsafe practices on the Griffin Venture (a 100,000 tonne floating oil storage near North West Cape in Western Australia)
  (ref 'Whistleblowers', ABC Books, 1997)
• 2000 - Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia, mining and exploration leases in Weetootla Gorge.
• 2002-2006 - We or our proxies attended each AGM with questions on a number of issues in Australia and overseas. The BHP Billiton website enables you to listen to the proceedings for 2005 and 2006.
  
• 2007 - Attempt to place a resolution onto the AGM Agenda. In the short time available we achieved 70 requisitions but needed over 100 to succeed. As we talked with shareholders we found a great many are deeply concerned regarding BHPB's move into uranium sales.
  
• 2008 - AGM Melbourne - we provided proxies to enable a number of excellent speakers to cover a range of issues.
  
• 2009 - A revised resolution on Uranium mining for the AGM agenda.
  To see this Resolution, please click here
  For more information on our interests for 2009 please click here

The group seeks also to improve the level of Government support for environmental and social improvements in mining, rehabilitation, processes, labour relations and recycling.

To return to our home page click here.

last updated 4/9/2009