essential infrastructure, page-9

http://www.boell.de/downloads/In_Search_of_Aluminum(1).pdf

So much information in this document please read it is quite fascinating:

"Yishida, a Chinese company, has a 588.09 square kilometre concession near Itu village. The
exploration and analysis contract was signed on 8 June 2006, and Yishida also signed an
agreement with the DEM on 7 September 2006. The company had determined an area of 43.58
square kilometres, scattered into 15 areas with potential reserves totalling 549 million tons.
Two hundred and twenty-nine people (223 of them Lao) have been involved in the exploration
phase, which will cost $2,864,865. The company has selected an area of 421 square kilometres
and given back to the government 167 square kilometres. Currently, the company is about to
pursue the survey. According to the DEM, Yishida32 has subcontracted Sarco for the exploration
of bauxite mining along the Bolaven plateau.33"

And then immediately beneath that is this

"33 In the list provided by the DEM, Yishida is registered as a company name, but in Sarco?s 2008 documents, it is
referred to as a tenement. This suggests that Sarco is moving in the shadow, ensuring access to bauxite deposits
under the names of smaller companies."

"Sarco is a joint venture between ORD of Australia (holding 49 percent) and NFC of China
(holding 51 percent). Their joint venture is called Sino-Australian Resources (Laos) Co. (Sarco),
which was established in 2007 as a foreign private company in Laos. Sarco (70 percent) has an
agreement with LSI (30 percent) to develop a 138 square kilometre tenement on the Bolaven
plateau.35 The bauxite potential in and around the existing tenement is estimated to be 2?2.5
billion tons. ORD has estimated that annual production of up to 20 million tons per annum
(mtpa) of bauxite from the Bolaven plateau is possible, which may be refined to 5?8 mtpa of
alumina.36
ORD?s short-term program is to explore the feasibility of mining the outcropping bauxite
deposits and establishing an onsite alumina refinery. The project may also include an
aluminum smelter.37 The aluminum is expected to be exported to supply China?s industry.38
The company has been negotiating for a further 84 square kilometres in one adjoining block.
ORD has the strategic objectives to secure all available bauxite areas and to secure the rights to
potential hydropower sites.39 But according to ORD (July 2008), Sarco is currently in the final
stages of approval for an area covering 867 square kilometres."


And then this on hydro

"In Laos, some investors have plans to secure their own energy resources. For example,
Sarco has apparently purchased the rights to build the Xepian-Xenamnoi hydropower plant
in Champassak province to provide energy to its mining operation.59"

This on Joint Ventures..

"Major bauxite mining companies operating in the region recognize the opportunities that
could be created from partnering and linking together. For example, Chalco, the main investor
in Slaco, has an agreement with Vinacomin about bauxite mining and alumina processing in
Vietnam. LSI, a Lao company, is involved in joint ventures with both Chalco and CNMIM/NFC
for bauxite mining in the Bolaven plateau. Both Vinacomin and Chalco may also be involved
in the Sarco project.64"