(April 23, 1993) From the about 500 inhabitants of a Tibetan village in the province of Amdo 35 died the past three years after drinking water contaminated by mining waste. The name of the village and the names of the victims will not be made public before the investigation is finished. There are strong indications that uranium is mined near that village.
(390.3798) WISE-Amsterdam - Most people died within a few hours after first signs of fever and diarrhea. Six victims died within a few days. Local medical doctors say they can't do anything. There is no epidemic or infection.
A correspondent from T.I.N. (Tibet International Network) had an interview with an eyewitness who had knowledge of Tibetan medical science: "First the people get acute thirst, then indigestion. The faces are black. They die within after one or two days. Some after five days. A few survive. Also many cattle dies in the area surrounding the mine, but only after rain, probably due to tailings washed away with the water. Animals which drink water from the mine or inhale mining-dust starve immediately; it looks like they have internal burnings".
Mining is taking place since 1980. In that year the first people got sick. Also since then forest in the area dried out. Which ore was mined wasn't told to the inhabitants.
In 1984 a Tibetan employee of the miningteam told that gold was mined and that there was no danger for contamination of the drinkingwater. But he would not drink it when asked. Chinese civil servants, unofficially, dissuade the people from drinking water from the rivers.
Tibetans are refused admittance to the area. The mines are heavily guarded. Chinese personnel wear protecting clothes and are redempted after two hours. This indicates the mining of uranium or another radioactive ore.
Petitions in which the inhabitants ask for the closure of the mines haven't had any success. According to the Chinese autho-rities Tibetans have no right asking that, because the land isn't theirs.
Sources: Tribaal Nieuws (NL), March 1993, page 20
Contact: Tibet Information Network, 7 Beck Road, London E8 4RE, UK