数日前，我接受了Stephanie Law 的采访。当看到这篇报道后，我请好友台湾悬钩子帮助译成中文，在此表示由衷的感谢。
Mining and the new colonization of Tibet
Vancouver-based mining companies implicit in government repression of villagers
by STEPHANIE LAW →DOMINION STORIES
採礦為西藏的新殖民：
以溫哥華為總部的開礦公司可能涉嫌為虎作倀，幫助中國政府壓迫村民
記者／史蒂芬尼‧羅（STEPHANIE LAW）
译者／台湾悬钩子
In the next five to 10 years, there might be a change in what comes to mind when thinking about Tibet.
在未來的五到十年裏，也許人們在想到西藏的時候，心裏面所想到的事情，也許將與目前的印象迥異了。
The 2008 Olympics in Beijing saw an international outcry against the Chinese government’s oppressive policies and practices in Tibet. Mass riots within Tibet and rallies across the globe informed the general public of human rights violations in the disputed area, Tibetans’ loss of culture and identity, and their desire for independence from China.
2008年北京奧運見到了國際社會對於中國政府在西藏所實施的壓迫與鎮壓所表達的義憤填膺的抗議。西藏境內所許多人走上街頭以及全球各地的聲援行動，讓公眾瞭解到西藏人權受到迫害、文化與民族身份的喪失、以及藏人對於獨立的希望。
But the 2010 WikiLeaks have exposed something different.
然而2010年的維基揭密（WikiLeaks）卻揭露了另外一件事情。
A leaked U.S. Embassy cable showed that the Dalai Lama is urging the international community to focus on environmental issues in Tibet instead of political ones, for at least the next half-decade. He specifically referred to increasingly polluted water from mining projects in Tibet as a major problem that “cannot wait.”
一份被洩露的美國大使館電報顯示達賴喇嘛敦促國際社會，至少在未來五年之內，不要把焦點放在政治議題，而是應該關心西藏的環境問題。他特別指出西藏開礦所造成的水污染問題，嚴重到已經「迫在眉睫」、「不能再等下去」了。
Tsering Woeser, a Tibetan poet/blogger and recipient of the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism award this year, said the number of mines in Tibet has increased dramatically since 2006.
西藏詩人／博客作家、國際婦女傳媒基金會2010年新聞勇氣獎的得主，茨仁唯色，表示西藏境內的開礦地點自從2006年以來已經急遽地增加。
“For the past few years, Tibetan villagers have been protesting against the mines and writing letters to the Chinese government asking for their concerns to be addressed,” Woeser said. “But the government never cared.”
唯色說：「過去幾年來，西藏的村民一直向開礦公司抗議，並且向政府請願陳情，希望政府注意他們所擔憂的問題，然而政府都不管。」
In 2006, only one-percent of discovered mines in Tibet were prospected due to limited infrastructure and investment. But mining operations boomed after the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, which connects all 72 counties in Tibet to the rest of China. There are now over 90 mining sites, with at least one in each county.
2006年那一年裏，西藏境內已經發現的礦藏裏，因為基礎建設不夠完備，投資不足，只有1%得到探勘。然而在青藏鐵路通車後，採礦業者立刻大量出現在西藏，因為鐵路使得西藏自治區的七十二個縣與中國的其他地方得以連結起來，交通屏障消失。現在西藏自治區境內共有超過九十個開礦的地點，每一個縣至少有一個。
The impact of mining operations
採礦過程對於地方所造成影響
The Chinese government announced plans in March to develop Tibet by exploiting over 3,000 mineral reserves, potentially worth more than USD 125 billion.
中國政府在今年三月宣布一個計畫，針對三千多個礦藏點、礦床進行開發，以促進西藏的發展，估計這些礦藏的潛在經濟價值可能超過一千兩百五十億美金。
Dorje, director of the region’s Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development, told state-run China Daily that exploitation of the mineral resources would boost Tibet’s development.
西藏自治區地質礦產開發局局長多吉告訴國營的《中國日報》，開發礦產資源將會大大幫助西藏的發展。
"We must make sure the exploitation serves the interests of the Tibetan people, and minimize its impact on the environment,” Dorje said.
「我們必須確保這些採礦活動能夠符合西藏人民的利益，並且減低開礦對環境的影響。」
The plan aims to boost the mining industry’s contribution to Tibet’s GDP from three to 30 percent by 2020. At the same time, the state government will continue to pour investment into the region to further develop it and provide over 1,400 new jobs for locals via mining operations.
這個計畫的目標是提高礦業收入對於西藏自治區的GDP貢獻，預計將從目前的3%增長到 公元2020年的30%。與此同時，中央政府將會繼續撥款投資，以進一步發展西藏，並且藉由採礦活動來增加當地人的就業機會，估計將有一千四百個新工作機會將因此而產生。
But Woeser said compared to the few thousand Tibetan miners, migrant Han workers have flocked to Tibet on the railroad and have taken up over 10,000 mining jobs.
然而唯色說，與少少一千個藏族礦工比起來，漢族民工早已經由青藏鐵路蜂擁到到西藏，而超過一萬個以上的開礦工作職缺，都是由他們所佔據。
“This has caused a lot of resentment among locals, widespread discrimination against Tibetans, and a loss of cultural identity among locals,” she said.
她說：「這引起了當地人極大的不滿，也讓對於藏族的歧視更加普遍，地方的民眾更是感覺到他們失去了文化的認同。」
Pempa Dondrup, a villager in Nanggarze County of Shannan Prefecture, told China Daily that the government must respect local customs and religious beliefs. “For example, they must not excavate into our holy mountains.”
山南地區浪卡子縣的一位村民貝瑪‧頓珠告訴《中國日報》，希望政府重地方習俗與宗教信仰。「例如，希望他們不要開採我們的聖山。」
But likely to the Dondrup’s dismay, there are at least six mining operations in the great Tibetan emperor Songtsan Gampo’s hometown, Gyama. It now has the highest daily output among all mining pits in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.
然而頓珠很有可能會大失所望了，因為在偉大的圖伯特皇帝松贊干布的家鄉，甲瑪（Gyama），至少就有六家礦業公司在採礦。現在這個地點也成為青藏高原上所有開礦公司中每日產出最高的地方。
In Han Chinese culture, the hometown of any emperor is sacred and carries the ‘dragon’s pulse’ (lóng mài). It brings fortune and happiness to the nation, and warrants ritual sacrifices.
在中國文化的傳統中，任何一位皇帝的故鄉都是神聖的，而且都是「龍脈」所在。它會庇祐該國人民的福祉與幸福，而後人也會定期獻祭祈福。
“According to this, Gyama should be protected from environmental destruction by the mining taking place today,” Woeser said. “But it’s not. And protests so far have been silenced by Chinese troops.”
唯色說：「就憑這點，甲瑪就應該受到保護，不應該任憑現在正在開礦的公司恣意破壞。然而實情不是如此。而一直到現在為止，任何抗議活動都遭中國軍警鎮壓。」
Woeser added that local Tibetans have lost much more than they have gained from the wealth the government claims mining would bring. They have also received little to no financial compensation.
唯色又說，政府說礦業會給當地百姓帶來財富，然而那一點甜頭沒有他們所失去的多。更何況，他們只得到些微的補償，甚至毫無補償。
“There has been damage to both the environment and the lifestyles of Tibetan villagers, farmers and nomads,” Woeser said. “Now there are diseases that are new and untreatable for the villagers. The livestock, like lamb and cows, are also getting diseases and dying at alarming rates.”
唯色說：「受損害的，不只是生態環境，西藏村民、農民、牧民的生活方式也被破壞了。現在村民中甚至出現了治不好的新疾病。他們的牲口，如牛和羊，都生了病，還以令人憂心的速度死去。」
Almost 20 years of mining in the Gyama valley has led to elevated concentrations of various minerals - including copper, lead, iron and aluminium – in the surface water and streambed, according to a study published in the September issue of Science of the Total Environment.
根據《完全環境科學》九月號期刊的一篇論文指出，甲瑪山谷經過二十年的開礦後，已經導致了各種礦物質──包括銅、鉛、鐵與鋁──高度集中於河床與地面灌溉水之中。
The Gyama stream water drains into the Lhasa River, which flows into the great Yarlong Tsangpo. Over a third of the world population lives downstream of the rivers flowing from the Plateau.
而甲瑪的水又流入拉薩河之中，拉薩河再流入雅魯藏布江。全世界有超過三分之一的人口，住在發源於青藏高原之河川的下游地區。
“Uptake of heavy metal into local agricultural products from contaminated irrigation water may therefore pose a health risk to the local population,” the authors of the study wrote.
前面所提到的論文作者寫道：「這些受重金屬污染的灌概水，可能會污染當地的農產品，因此可能會大大危害當地人口的身體健康。」
Over 3,500 local inhabitants live in this valley just east of Lhasa city. There are also nomads who frequent the semi-agricultural area, which is used for growing crops and animal husbandry. But nearly 182,000 residents live in Lhasa city just downstream from the valley. The main drinking water source for the city is from wells located in the banks of the Lhasa River.
甲瑪山谷位於拉薩市的東邊，目前有三千五百位當地居民以此地為他們的家園。這個地區過去一向以農作與牧業為主要生計來源，也有游牧人常常來此半農半牧區放牧。而拉薩市就位在此山谷的下游，城裏面住有十八萬二千居民，而該城的主要飲用水，是來自拉薩河河邊的井水。
The authors of the study warned that large-scale mining activities in the valley “pose a great future risk for the regional and downstream environment.”
前述研究的作者們警告，未來在甲瑪河谷再繼續做大規模的開礦作業，「將會對本區以及下游的生態環境造成極大的危險。」
Tibetans have limited opposition po¬wer
藏人抗議力量有限
Contaminated water, loss of lands and the heavy influx of Han migrants into Tibet caused by the mining industry boom have led to numerous conflicts and riots in the region in past 20 years.
過去二十年裏，因為開礦業在西藏境內大發展，造成水源遭污染、草場被徵收、以及大量的漢人民工湧入西藏，已經造成許多次的衝突與抗議事件。
Huatailong, China’s largest mining project in Gyama, used the villagers’ water during a drought in June 2010. This led to riots in the village to which a great number of military police, including special police forces, were allegedly sent from Lhasa, according to witness reports. The police arrested many villagers and three of them, including the village head, are still in jail.
甲瑪河谷中最大的開礦工司——華泰龍，在2010年6月的旱季時，使用村民賴以為生的水源。這造成村民暴動，根據目擊者的報告，據說從拉薩派出來的大批武警，以及特警立即前往當地鎮壓。警察逮捕了許多位村民，而目前還有三位，包括村長在內，還關在牢裏。
Woeser said military forces and police always quickly crush any local dissent against mines.
唯色說地方上對於開礦公司表達不同意見的話，軍警總是很快就會被派來鎮壓。
“The problem is most mines are state-owned and backed by the government,” Woeser said. “So when the conflict erupted, it got politicized. The government decided the villagers weren’t protesting against the mine but were rioting for Tibetan independence.”
唯色說：「問題在於，大部份的開礦公司都是國家擁有的，有政府撐腰。所以衝突發生的時候，就立刻被政治化了，政府決定村民並不是在抗議開礦，而是為了藏獨而暴動。」
More recently, about 100 protesters carried Chinese flags outside government offices in a protest between Aug. 15 and 17 against the expansion of a gold mine in the Kham region of Tibet, administratively in China’s Sichuan province. They were upset about the heavy equipment being brought in and damaging their farmlands, according to U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia.
最近的一次事件是發生在2010年8月15日到17日，在圖伯特的康區，今日四川省的藏區大約有一百個抗議者，拿著中國國旗向政府抗議一家金礦業者的擴張計畫。根據自由亞洲電台的報導，他們對於金礦公司引進重型設備，破壞了他們的農地，覺得很不滿。
“The farmers were scared, so they carried Chinese flags to show that they weren’t protesting for political reasons or independence,” Woeser said. “They just wanted to point out that the mines were impacting their life.”
唯色說：「農民怕了，所以他們拿著中國國旗，顯示他們並不是為了政治的理由或者為了藏獨，他們只想要指出開礦正在影響他們的生活。」【注】
But despite taking extra precaution, the government still sent troops to quell their protest. According to various reports, at least three protesters were fatally shot, over 30 injured and more than 35 were arrested. Two police officers were also injured.
雖然他們採取了這樣小心的動作，然而政府還是派軍隊前去鎮壓。根據幾篇不同的報導，至少有三位抗議者受了致命的槍傷，三十人受傷，超過三十五人被逮捕。兩位警察也受了傷。
Almost two weeks after the incident, conflicting news reports appeared in China Daily, Xinhua News Agency and Reuters. They reported only one death from the incident and cited a different reason for the protests.
事件發生後的兩個星期，《中國日報》、新華社與路透社對此事的報導，出現了各說各話的現象。這些媒體報導說該事件只有一人死亡，而抗議的原因也南轅北轍。
“The protest was sparked after police detained a businessman from the Sichuan city of Mianyang "for illegally exploiting gold mines with some villagers in Jiaxu village and damaging the grassland in the county,” according to Reuters.
根據路透社的說法：「抗議發生在四川綿陽市的一位商人被警方關押以後，因為警方懷疑他與幾位村民非法採礦，並且破壞縣裏的草場。」
Exerting pressure outside of Tibet
從西藏之外施加壓力
It is evident that local Tibetans are left powerless against large-scale mining operations. If they protest, they face disproportionate force from the military and police as well as imprisonment. Many face jail terms of seven to eight years, partly due to the politicization of their dissent.
顯然，小地方的藏人百姓面對財大氣粗的開礦業者，根本說不上話，無力回天。如果他們表達抗議與不滿，他們就面對軍隊與公安動用完全不成比例的武力鎮壓，更有坐牢的危險。許多人甚至面臨七到八年的有期徒刑，就因為他們的異見被政治化了。
Woeser said the conflict in August was one of very few protests covered in state and international media, albeit inconsistently.
唯色說，八月的衝突只是冰山的一角，也是少數中國官媒與國際媒體有所報導的事件，雖然它們的說法彼此矛盾。
“I think this really needs outside help and requires outsiders to understand the mining situation in Tibet,” she said. “Only through the outside, like international environmental agencies and human right organizations, and through international investigations might there be a positive impact on Tibetans’ lives that are affected by mining.”
她說：「我覺得此事亟需外界的幫忙，也希望外人能夠瞭解西藏的開礦情形。只有外界，例如國際環保機構、人權機構，才能幫助那些受到開礦影響的藏人。」
In the recent years, there has been a growing presence of foreign-owned mining companies in Tibet.
近幾年，西藏也出現越來越多家外資的開礦公司。
“These operations have also faced local protests, but not to the same extent as Chinese-owned mines,” Woeser said. “This is in part due to minor improvement in environmental impact, but largely due to higher financial compensation offered by foreign firms to silence dissent.”
唯色說：「這些公司也面臨地方百姓的抗議，然而其程度比不上中資的礦場。這有部份是因為外資公司在環保上略有改善，然而大部份原因是外商給予高額的補償金，使得抗議者噤聲。」
In addition to protests in Tibet, some companies have faced opposition from activists in their own countries. Pressure from the Australia Tibet Council and the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan government-in-exile, allegedly caused Australia-based Sino Gold to pull out of an exploratory gold mine in eastern Tibet in 2003.
除了西藏當地發生的抗議之外，一些外資公司也在本國內面臨反對的聲浪。例如澳大利亞西藏議會（Australia Tibet Council）、以及西藏中央政府，也就是西藏流亡政府等施加了壓力，據說使得澳洲為總部的「澳華黃金公司」於2003年停止在圖伯特東部一個開採金礦的計畫。
Sino Gold was later acquired by Canadian-based Eldorado Gold in December 2009. Eldorado Gold is now the largest foreign gold producer in China and owns a mine in Tanjianshan, which is located in northern Tibet.
澳華黃金公司稍後由加拿大的埃爾拉多黃金公司（Eldorado Gold）於2009年12月所併購。埃爾拉多黃金公司目前是中國境內最大開採金礦的外資公司，並且擁有圖伯特（東）北部（青海柴達木）灘間山的一座金礦。
There are six Canadian-based mining companies currently or soon to be operating in Tibet: China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd, Inter-Citic Minerals Inc, Silk Road Resources Ltd., Eldorado Gold Corp, Maxy Gold Corp, Silvercorp Metals Inc., and Sterling Group Ventures Inc.
目前西藏境內有六家以加拿大為總部的採礦公司，不是正在營運，就是即將開工：中國黃金資源有限公司（China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd）、Inter-Citic Minerals Inc、 絲路資源有限公司（Silk Road Resources Ltd）、埃爾拉多黃金公司（, Maxy Gold Corp）、美星金礦公司（Maxy Gold Corp）、希爾威金屬礦業公司（Silvercorp Metals Inc.）、史得林集團投資公司（Sterling Group Ventures Inc.）。
Vancouver-based China Gold International announced on Dec. 1 it completed the acquisition of Skyland Mining Ltd., formerly owned by Rapid Result Investments Ltd. and China National Gold Group Honk Kong Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Gold Group Corp. It is now the sole owner of the Jiama Mine, one of the largest copper poly-metallic mines in China, according to its website.
以溫哥華為基地的中國黃金資源有限公司在十二月一日宣布，它已經併購了斯凱蘭礦業有限公司（Skyland Mining Ltd），後者先前本為訊業投資有限公司（Rapid Result Investments Ltd.）與中國黃金集團的子公司國金資源控股（China National Gold Group Honk Kong Ltd）所擁有。因此，中國黃金資源有限公司壟斷了西藏甲瑪礦場的所有權，而根據其網頁，甲瑪是中國最大的銅多金屬礦場之一。
The acquisition of the Jiama mine in Gyama completed in spite of protests staged in Toronto, Vancouver and Hong Kong.
雖然中國黃金資源有限公司併購的動作，在多倫多、溫哥華、香港等地都遭到抗議，然而甲瑪礦權還是由它取得了。
Frank Lagiglia, investor relations spokesperson for China Gold International, said he does not share the concerns of the protesters. He said the company’s technical report shows the mine has full support of the local people, and that it is on track to becoming the most environmentally friendly mine in the world.
中國黃金資源有限公司公關發言人法蘭克‧拉吉利亞（Frank Lagiglia）說他並不覺得抗議者的憂慮是有道理的。他說該公司的技術報告顯示該礦場完全得到當地民眾的支持，而該礦場正在朝著成為全世界最環保的礦場而努力當中。
“They talk about contamination of water; we use a recycling water program so there is no contamination,” Lagiglia said. “I don’t know the issues that they’re talking about, when we were there, we went with Tibetan officials and we were talking to the Tibetan people there, and really everyone is glad to be working.”
拉吉利亞先生表示：「他們抗議水污染的問題，可是我們使用的是一套水回收再利用的設備，所以沒有污染問題。我不了解他們的問題在哪裏，我們在當地的時候，遵循藏族的官員的指示，而且我們也跟當地的西藏人民溝通，每個人都對有工作機會，非常滿意。」
But Raymond Yee, a Vancouver activist and member of the Canada Tibet Committee, said their worries go beyond environmental damages endured by local villagers.
然而加拿大西藏委員會的會員余雷蒙卻說，他們所擔心的，不只是當地村民必須忍受環境受到破壞的問題。
“Our main concern is that the Chinese don’t seem at all concerned with the needs and the wants of the Tibetans,” Yee said. “And the Canadian firms will refuse, even though we know they know better, to get their heads wrapped around the whole concept of free, prior, informed consent of the local Tibet people about what’s happening.”
余先生說：「我們主要擔心的，是中國似乎並不關心西藏人民所需要、想要的東西。而加拿大公司，即使我們知道他們應該對這類事情經驗豐富，卻不想理解必須在事前與當地藏人充份自由地溝通，並取得他們同意的這種概念。」
Although China Gold International is based in Vancouver, the Chinese-owned China National Gold Group owns a 39 percent stake, according to a Bloomberg news report.
根據彭博新聞的報告，雖然中國黃金資源有限有公司的總部在溫哥華，然而中資的中國黃金集團卻擁有39%的股權。
“We’re against this kind of activity that exploits people that are occupied,” Yee said. “It’s occupied land in an environment where there’s a real climate of fear because most people are pretty privy to how the Chinese government cracks down on dissent.”
余先生說：「我們反對這類的開礦活動，因為它剥削利用了被異國佔領之下的民族，這是一個被異國佔領的地方，當地的氣氛真的是充滿恐懼的，大部份的人都對中國政府鎮壓異己的殘酷手段心知肚明。」
Tibet enjoyed de facto independence between 1912 and 1951, before China annexed the region. Annexation became official when the Chinese government and delegates from the Tibetan administration signed the 17-point agreement.
在被中國兼併之前，西藏在1912年至1951年享有實質上的獨立地位。兼併的動作在中國政府與西藏政府的代表簽署了一份《十七條協議》後成為事實。
But the agreement has been widely disputed and the annexation is widely viewed as an occupation. A report published by The International Commission of Jurists in 1959 supported claims that the agreement was signed under military pressure and significant duress.
然而該協議的有效性後來一直受到爭議，而中國兼併西藏也被廣泛地認為乃是異國佔領的作法。一九五九年國際法律人協會所發表的一份報告，同意《十七條協議》乃是在軍事壓力與重大威逼之下簽署的主張。
Large mining companies such as Rio Tinto have reportedly ruled out mining in Tibet because it is too politically sensitive.
大型的開礦公司，如力拓集團（Rio Tinto，譯按：這是一家澳大利亞的礦業公司）據說排除了它在西藏採礦的可能性，因為它認為此舉太過敏感。
“We’d be more open to it if they, for example, had consultations with the Tibetan government-in-exile to talk about mining and to see what it would have to say,” Yee said. “We’re just against mining under these kinds of conditions.”
余先生表示：「假如他們（中國黃金資源有限公司）能夠先跟西藏流亡政府諮商，詢問後者對在西藏開礦的看法，也許我們就會對此事保持比較諒解的態度。我們所反對的，是在目前情況下在西藏開礦。」
Looking to the future
未來何去何從
The future of Canadian-based mining companies operating in Tibet might have been different if Bill C-300, known as the Corporate Accountability Act or Responsible Mining Bill, had passed the House of Commons vote on October 27. But the bill was defeated 140 to 134.
事實上，在2010年10月27日加拿大下議院的表決過程之中，稱之為《企業責任法》或《負責任地開礦法》，簡稱為C-300法案，如果曾獲得通過的話，以加拿大為基地的礦業公司在西藏開礦的前景，可能就會有所不同。然而該法案卻以140票對134票未獲通過。
If passed, the Bill would have enforced financial and political sanctions against mining companies operating in foreign countries without free, prior and informed consultation from local indigenous peoples.
如果它獲得通過的話，該法案就會強制在外國開礦的礦業公司，必須在事前先向當地的原住民族進行自由的充份諮詢，否則就會面臨財務上與政治上的制裁行動。
Catherine Coumans, a research coordinator at MiningWatch Canada, said that under the bill there could have been a strong case made against mining companies, like China Gold International, even if they claim to have support from local Tibetans.
加拿大開礦觀察組織（MiningWatch Canada）的研究主任，凱撒琳‧庫曼（Catherine Coumans）表示，如果該法案通過的話，他們就會有充份的法律依據，可以對中國黃金資源有限公司這樣的開礦公司提起訴訟，即使後者聲稱他們擁有當地藏人的支持。
“The free part is the part that we would be really addressing,” Coumans said. “How free were the people they talked to? Given the political realities in Tibet, it would be very difficult [to have free consultation].”
庫曼女士表示：「『自由』這部份就是我們需要處理的部份。他們咨詢當地民意的時候，這些人可以自由地說出他們想說的話嗎？鑑於西藏境內的政治現實，他們要取得當地人真正的民意是十分困難的。」
Since the bill was defeated, there is no legal or formal mechanism for complaints against foreign practices by mining companies. However, Coumans said the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability, of which MiningWatch is a member, is currently discussing other options.
因為這份法案未獲通過，加拿大礦業公司在國外的不當行逕就缺少一個法律、正式的渠道可以加以處理。然而，庫曼女士表示加拿大開礦觀察組織所屬的加拿大企業責任網路（Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability），目前正在討論其他的可能性。
One alternative is private member’s Bill C-354, which was tabled by NDP MP Peter Julian and passed first reading on March 3. The bill had remained dormant after its first reading, but resurfaced on Oct. 21 when Julian submitted a petition in support of the bill to the house.
另外一個可能性是個別國會議員所提的法案，稱之為C-345法案，這是加拿大新民主黨的議員彼得‧朱里安（Peter Julian）所提出，並且於3月3月通過一讀。這項法案在一讀之後，卻未有任何進展，處於休眠狀態，在十月二十一日朱里安提出請願後又再度浮出枱面。
The Bill seeks to amend the Federal Courts Act to permit non-Canadians to initiate lawsuits against Canadian companies based on violations – in foreign countries - of international law or treaties to which Canada has ratified.
該法案的目標乃是要彌補《聯邦法庭法》之不足，允許非加拿大籍的人針對加拿大公司在國外違犯國際法、加拿大已經批准的法規，提出法律訴訟。
“The bill would ensure corporate accountability for Canadian firms operating abroad,” Julian told the house on April 1, 2009.
2009年4月1日朱里安在下議院表示：「此法案將會確保加拿大公司在海外負起應當的企業責任。」
But regardless of what happens in the future, Coumans argues that the mining industry as a whole generally accepts International Finance Corporation’s performance standards as de facto international standards. These standards include having free, prior and informed consultation with local peoples.
然而不論未來將會如何，庫曼女士主張，礦業公司整體上大致接受國際金融公司（International Finance Corporation）的表現標準（performance standards）。這些標準之中即包括了與當地人民進行自由、事前、充份溝通的諮詢過程。
“Based on these standards, one can definitely make the argument that a company cannot call itself a responsible mining company and mine in Tibet,” Coumans said, “because it cannot possibly poll the community in a free way.”
庫曼女士表示：「根據這些標準，我們絕對可以主張說，一家公司如果在西藏開礦，就不能自稱為一家負責任的礦業公司，因為它不可能在一種自由的情況下調查當地居民的意見。」
Given the recent acquisition of the copper mine in Gyama by China Gold International, as well as the leaked U.S. embassy cable regarding the Dalai Lama’s concerns with widespread environmental destruction caused by mining project, there is hope of increased international and Canadian pressure against mining in Chinese-occupied Tibetan land.
鑑於中國黃金資源有限公司最近取得甲瑪的銅礦採礦權，再加上美國大使館的電文被洩露，顯示達賴喇嘛對於開礦所造成普遍性的環境破壞非常關切，我們可望看到國際輿論與加拿大國內民眾對在中國佔領下的西藏境內開礦的計畫，表達出反對的聲音。
But if the discussion around Tibet sees no change in the next five to 10 years, then the imagery one usually conjures when thinking of Tibet will change. What is often known as Shangri-La and rooftop of the world will be extensively mined away, and a culture with thousands of years of history will fade away along with the land.
然而，如果國際輿論對於西藏的討論焦點，在未來的五到十年裏，還是不改變的話，那麼一般人未來想到西藏時，所想到的景色就會改變了。許多人心目中的香格里拉、世界屋脊將會大大地被礦業工司開採、消滅殆盡，而一個歷史淵遠流長的文明，也會隨之消逝。
“Tibet is the earth’s highest ecosystem and is extremely vulnerable: its rivers flow and are connected to many other areas and countries,” Woeser said. “But the mining companies are operating for their own profits and are blatantly neglecting any environmental concerns. Over time, the local area won’t be the only region affected; but a vast area of the world will be too.”
唯色說：「西藏是地球上海拔最高的生態系統，極為脆弱：它的河流流向四方，連結了各個不同的區域與國家。然而開礦公司卻只為了利潤，絲毫不顧對於環境的破壞。長此以往，受到影響的不會只有當地的人民，世界廣大地區都會受到影響。」
Vancouver-based mining companies implicit in government repression of villagers
by STEPHANIE LAW →DOMINION STORIES
採礦為西藏的新殖民：
以溫哥華為總部的開礦公司可能涉嫌為虎作倀，幫助中國政府壓迫村民
記者／史蒂芬尼‧羅（STEPHANIE LAW）
译者／台湾悬钩子
Raymond Yee, a local activist from the Canada Tibet Committee, said protests against Canadian mining companies are done in solidarity and not purely for environmental concerns.
圖說：加拿大西藏委員會的溫哥華分部會員余雷蒙（Raymond Yee），說對於加拿大採礦公司的抗議活動，乃是為了表示聲援之意，並不純綷只是為了環保。【注：见上图。】
In the next five to 10 years, there might be a change in what comes to mind when thinking about Tibet.
在未來的五到十年裏，也許人們在想到西藏的時候，心裏面所想到的事情，也許將與目前的印象迥異了。
The 2008 Olympics in Beijing saw an international outcry against the Chinese government’s oppressive policies and practices in Tibet. Mass riots within Tibet and rallies across the globe informed the general public of human rights violations in the disputed area, Tibetans’ loss of culture and identity, and their desire for independence from China.
2008年北京奧運見到了國際社會對於中國政府在西藏所實施的壓迫與鎮壓所表達的義憤填膺的抗議。西藏境內所許多人走上街頭以及全球各地的聲援行動，讓公眾瞭解到西藏人權受到迫害、文化與民族身份的喪失、以及藏人對於獨立的希望。
But the 2010 WikiLeaks have exposed something different.
然而2010年的維基揭密（WikiLeaks）卻揭露了另外一件事情。
A leaked U.S. Embassy cable showed that the Dalai Lama is urging the international community to focus on environmental issues in Tibet instead of political ones, for at least the next half-decade. He specifically referred to increasingly polluted water from mining projects in Tibet as a major problem that “cannot wait.”
一份被洩露的美國大使館電報顯示達賴喇嘛敦促國際社會，至少在未來五年之內，不要把焦點放在政治議題，而是應該關心西藏的環境問題。他特別指出西藏開礦所造成的水污染問題，嚴重到已經「迫在眉睫」、「不能再等下去」了。
Tsering Woeser, a Tibetan poet/blogger and recipient of the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism award this year, said the number of mines in Tibet has increased dramatically since 2006.
西藏詩人／博客作家、國際婦女傳媒基金會2010年新聞勇氣獎的得主，茨仁唯色，表示西藏境內的開礦地點自從2006年以來已經急遽地增加。
“For the past few years, Tibetan villagers have been protesting against the mines and writing letters to the Chinese government asking for their concerns to be addressed,” Woeser said. “But the government never cared.”
唯色說：「過去幾年來，西藏的村民一直向開礦公司抗議，並且向政府請願陳情，希望政府注意他們所擔憂的問題，然而政府都不管。」
In 2006, only one-percent of discovered mines in Tibet were prospected due to limited infrastructure and investment. But mining operations boomed after the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway, which connects all 72 counties in Tibet to the rest of China. There are now over 90 mining sites, with at least one in each county.
2006年那一年裏，西藏境內已經發現的礦藏裏，因為基礎建設不夠完備，投資不足，只有1%得到探勘。然而在青藏鐵路通車後，採礦業者立刻大量出現在西藏，因為鐵路使得西藏自治區的七十二個縣與中國的其他地方得以連結起來，交通屏障消失。現在西藏自治區境內共有超過九十個開礦的地點，每一個縣至少有一個。
The impact of mining operations
採礦過程對於地方所造成影響
The Chinese government announced plans in March to develop Tibet by exploiting over 3,000 mineral reserves, potentially worth more than USD 125 billion.
中國政府在今年三月宣布一個計畫，針對三千多個礦藏點、礦床進行開發，以促進西藏的發展，估計這些礦藏的潛在經濟價值可能超過一千兩百五十億美金。
Dorje, director of the region’s Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development, told state-run China Daily that exploitation of the mineral resources would boost Tibet’s development.
西藏自治區地質礦產開發局局長多吉告訴國營的《中國日報》，開發礦產資源將會大大幫助西藏的發展。
"We must make sure the exploitation serves the interests of the Tibetan people, and minimize its impact on the environment,” Dorje said.
「我們必須確保這些採礦活動能夠符合西藏人民的利益，並且減低開礦對環境的影響。」
The plan aims to boost the mining industry’s contribution to Tibet’s GDP from three to 30 percent by 2020. At the same time, the state government will continue to pour investment into the region to further develop it and provide over 1,400 new jobs for locals via mining operations.
這個計畫的目標是提高礦業收入對於西藏自治區的GDP貢獻，預計將從目前的3%增長到 公元2020年的30%。與此同時，中央政府將會繼續撥款投資，以進一步發展西藏，並且藉由採礦活動來增加當地人的就業機會，估計將有一千四百個新工作機會將因此而產生。
But Woeser said compared to the few thousand Tibetan miners, migrant Han workers have flocked to Tibet on the railroad and have taken up over 10,000 mining jobs.
然而唯色說，與少少一千個藏族礦工比起來，漢族民工早已經由青藏鐵路蜂擁到到西藏，而超過一萬個以上的開礦工作職缺，都是由他們所佔據。
“This has caused a lot of resentment among locals, widespread discrimination against Tibetans, and a loss of cultural identity among locals,” she said.
她說：「這引起了當地人極大的不滿，也讓對於藏族的歧視更加普遍，地方的民眾更是感覺到他們失去了文化的認同。」
Pempa Dondrup, a villager in Nanggarze County of Shannan Prefecture, told China Daily that the government must respect local customs and religious beliefs. “For example, they must not excavate into our holy mountains.”
山南地區浪卡子縣的一位村民貝瑪‧頓珠告訴《中國日報》，希望政府重地方習俗與宗教信仰。「例如，希望他們不要開採我們的聖山。」
But likely to the Dondrup’s dismay, there are at least six mining operations in the great Tibetan emperor Songtsan Gampo’s hometown, Gyama. It now has the highest daily output among all mining pits in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.
然而頓珠很有可能會大失所望了，因為在偉大的圖伯特皇帝松贊干布的家鄉，甲瑪（Gyama），至少就有六家礦業公司在採礦。現在這個地點也成為青藏高原上所有開礦公司中每日產出最高的地方。
In Han Chinese culture, the hometown of any emperor is sacred and carries the ‘dragon’s pulse’ (lóng mài). It brings fortune and happiness to the nation, and warrants ritual sacrifices.
在中國文化的傳統中，任何一位皇帝的故鄉都是神聖的，而且都是「龍脈」所在。它會庇祐該國人民的福祉與幸福，而後人也會定期獻祭祈福。
“According to this, Gyama should be protected from environmental destruction by the mining taking place today,” Woeser said. “But it’s not. And protests so far have been silenced by Chinese troops.”
唯色說：「就憑這點，甲瑪就應該受到保護，不應該任憑現在正在開礦的公司恣意破壞。然而實情不是如此。而一直到現在為止，任何抗議活動都遭中國軍警鎮壓。」
Woeser added that local Tibetans have lost much more than they have gained from the wealth the government claims mining would bring. They have also received little to no financial compensation.
唯色又說，政府說礦業會給當地百姓帶來財富，然而那一點甜頭沒有他們所失去的多。更何況，他們只得到些微的補償，甚至毫無補償。
“There has been damage to both the environment and the lifestyles of Tibetan villagers, farmers and nomads,” Woeser said. “Now there are diseases that are new and untreatable for the villagers. The livestock, like lamb and cows, are also getting diseases and dying at alarming rates.”
唯色說：「受損害的，不只是生態環境，西藏村民、農民、牧民的生活方式也被破壞了。現在村民中甚至出現了治不好的新疾病。他們的牲口，如牛和羊，都生了病，還以令人憂心的速度死去。」
Almost 20 years of mining in the Gyama valley has led to elevated concentrations of various minerals - including copper, lead, iron and aluminium – in the surface water and streambed, according to a study published in the September issue of Science of the Total Environment.
根據《完全環境科學》九月號期刊的一篇論文指出，甲瑪山谷經過二十年的開礦後，已經導致了各種礦物質──包括銅、鉛、鐵與鋁──高度集中於河床與地面灌溉水之中。
The Gyama stream water drains into the Lhasa River, which flows into the great Yarlong Tsangpo. Over a third of the world population lives downstream of the rivers flowing from the Plateau.
而甲瑪的水又流入拉薩河之中，拉薩河再流入雅魯藏布江。全世界有超過三分之一的人口，住在發源於青藏高原之河川的下游地區。
“Uptake of heavy metal into local agricultural products from contaminated irrigation water may therefore pose a health risk to the local population,” the authors of the study wrote.
前面所提到的論文作者寫道：「這些受重金屬污染的灌概水，可能會污染當地的農產品，因此可能會大大危害當地人口的身體健康。」
Over 3,500 local inhabitants live in this valley just east of Lhasa city. There are also nomads who frequent the semi-agricultural area, which is used for growing crops and animal husbandry. But nearly 182,000 residents live in Lhasa city just downstream from the valley. The main drinking water source for the city is from wells located in the banks of the Lhasa River.
甲瑪山谷位於拉薩市的東邊，目前有三千五百位當地居民以此地為他們的家園。這個地區過去一向以農作與牧業為主要生計來源，也有游牧人常常來此半農半牧區放牧。而拉薩市就位在此山谷的下游，城裏面住有十八萬二千居民，而該城的主要飲用水，是來自拉薩河河邊的井水。
The authors of the study warned that large-scale mining activities in the valley “pose a great future risk for the regional and downstream environment.”
前述研究的作者們警告，未來在甲瑪河谷再繼續做大規模的開礦作業，「將會對本區以及下游的生態環境造成極大的危險。」
Tibetans have limited opposition po¬wer
藏人抗議力量有限
Contaminated water, loss of lands and the heavy influx of Han migrants into Tibet caused by the mining industry boom have led to numerous conflicts and riots in the region in past 20 years.
過去二十年裏，因為開礦業在西藏境內大發展，造成水源遭污染、草場被徵收、以及大量的漢人民工湧入西藏，已經造成許多次的衝突與抗議事件。
Huatailong, China’s largest mining project in Gyama, used the villagers’ water during a drought in June 2010. This led to riots in the village to which a great number of military police, including special police forces, were allegedly sent from Lhasa, according to witness reports. The police arrested many villagers and three of them, including the village head, are still in jail.
甲瑪河谷中最大的開礦工司——華泰龍，在2010年6月的旱季時，使用村民賴以為生的水源。這造成村民暴動，根據目擊者的報告，據說從拉薩派出來的大批武警，以及特警立即前往當地鎮壓。警察逮捕了許多位村民，而目前還有三位，包括村長在內，還關在牢裏。
Woeser said military forces and police always quickly crush any local dissent against mines.
唯色說地方上對於開礦公司表達不同意見的話，軍警總是很快就會被派來鎮壓。
“The problem is most mines are state-owned and backed by the government,” Woeser said. “So when the conflict erupted, it got politicized. The government decided the villagers weren’t protesting against the mine but were rioting for Tibetan independence.”
唯色說：「問題在於，大部份的開礦公司都是國家擁有的，有政府撐腰。所以衝突發生的時候，就立刻被政治化了，政府決定村民並不是在抗議開礦，而是為了藏獨而暴動。」
More recently, about 100 protesters carried Chinese flags outside government offices in a protest between Aug. 15 and 17 against the expansion of a gold mine in the Kham region of Tibet, administratively in China’s Sichuan province. They were upset about the heavy equipment being brought in and damaging their farmlands, according to U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia.
最近的一次事件是發生在2010年8月15日到17日，在圖伯特的康區，今日四川省的藏區大約有一百個抗議者，拿著中國國旗向政府抗議一家金礦業者的擴張計畫。根據自由亞洲電台的報導，他們對於金礦公司引進重型設備，破壞了他們的農地，覺得很不滿。
“The farmers were scared, so they carried Chinese flags to show that they weren’t protesting for political reasons or independence,” Woeser said. “They just wanted to point out that the mines were impacting their life.”
唯色說：「農民怕了，所以他們拿著中國國旗，顯示他們並不是為了政治的理由或者為了藏獨，他們只想要指出開礦正在影響他們的生活。」【注】
But despite taking extra precaution, the government still sent troops to quell their protest. According to various reports, at least three protesters were fatally shot, over 30 injured and more than 35 were arrested. Two police officers were also injured.
雖然他們採取了這樣小心的動作，然而政府還是派軍隊前去鎮壓。根據幾篇不同的報導，至少有三位抗議者受了致命的槍傷，三十人受傷，超過三十五人被逮捕。兩位警察也受了傷。
Almost two weeks after the incident, conflicting news reports appeared in China Daily, Xinhua News Agency and Reuters. They reported only one death from the incident and cited a different reason for the protests.
事件發生後的兩個星期，《中國日報》、新華社與路透社對此事的報導，出現了各說各話的現象。這些媒體報導說該事件只有一人死亡，而抗議的原因也南轅北轍。
“The protest was sparked after police detained a businessman from the Sichuan city of Mianyang "for illegally exploiting gold mines with some villagers in Jiaxu village and damaging the grassland in the county,” according to Reuters.
根據路透社的說法：「抗議發生在四川綿陽市的一位商人被警方關押以後，因為警方懷疑他與幾位村民非法採礦，並且破壞縣裏的草場。」
Exerting pressure outside of Tibet
從西藏之外施加壓力
It is evident that local Tibetans are left powerless against large-scale mining operations. If they protest, they face disproportionate force from the military and police as well as imprisonment. Many face jail terms of seven to eight years, partly due to the politicization of their dissent.
顯然，小地方的藏人百姓面對財大氣粗的開礦業者，根本說不上話，無力回天。如果他們表達抗議與不滿，他們就面對軍隊與公安動用完全不成比例的武力鎮壓，更有坐牢的危險。許多人甚至面臨七到八年的有期徒刑，就因為他們的異見被政治化了。
Woeser said the conflict in August was one of very few protests covered in state and international media, albeit inconsistently.
唯色說，八月的衝突只是冰山的一角，也是少數中國官媒與國際媒體有所報導的事件，雖然它們的說法彼此矛盾。
“I think this really needs outside help and requires outsiders to understand the mining situation in Tibet,” she said. “Only through the outside, like international environmental agencies and human right organizations, and through international investigations might there be a positive impact on Tibetans’ lives that are affected by mining.”
她說：「我覺得此事亟需外界的幫忙，也希望外人能夠瞭解西藏的開礦情形。只有外界，例如國際環保機構、人權機構，才能幫助那些受到開礦影響的藏人。」
In the recent years, there has been a growing presence of foreign-owned mining companies in Tibet.
近幾年，西藏也出現越來越多家外資的開礦公司。
“These operations have also faced local protests, but not to the same extent as Chinese-owned mines,” Woeser said. “This is in part due to minor improvement in environmental impact, but largely due to higher financial compensation offered by foreign firms to silence dissent.”
唯色說：「這些公司也面臨地方百姓的抗議，然而其程度比不上中資的礦場。這有部份是因為外資公司在環保上略有改善，然而大部份原因是外商給予高額的補償金，使得抗議者噤聲。」
In addition to protests in Tibet, some companies have faced opposition from activists in their own countries. Pressure from the Australia Tibet Council and the Central Tibetan Administration, also known as the Tibetan government-in-exile, allegedly caused Australia-based Sino Gold to pull out of an exploratory gold mine in eastern Tibet in 2003.
除了西藏當地發生的抗議之外，一些外資公司也在本國內面臨反對的聲浪。例如澳大利亞西藏議會（Australia Tibet Council）、以及西藏中央政府，也就是西藏流亡政府等施加了壓力，據說使得澳洲為總部的「澳華黃金公司」於2003年停止在圖伯特東部一個開採金礦的計畫。
Sino Gold was later acquired by Canadian-based Eldorado Gold in December 2009. Eldorado Gold is now the largest foreign gold producer in China and owns a mine in Tanjianshan, which is located in northern Tibet.
澳華黃金公司稍後由加拿大的埃爾拉多黃金公司（Eldorado Gold）於2009年12月所併購。埃爾拉多黃金公司目前是中國境內最大開採金礦的外資公司，並且擁有圖伯特（東）北部（青海柴達木）灘間山的一座金礦。
There are six Canadian-based mining companies currently or soon to be operating in Tibet: China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd, Inter-Citic Minerals Inc, Silk Road Resources Ltd., Eldorado Gold Corp, Maxy Gold Corp, Silvercorp Metals Inc., and Sterling Group Ventures Inc.
目前西藏境內有六家以加拿大為總部的採礦公司，不是正在營運，就是即將開工：中國黃金資源有限公司（China Gold International Resources Corp Ltd）、Inter-Citic Minerals Inc、 絲路資源有限公司（Silk Road Resources Ltd）、埃爾拉多黃金公司（, Maxy Gold Corp）、美星金礦公司（Maxy Gold Corp）、希爾威金屬礦業公司（Silvercorp Metals Inc.）、史得林集團投資公司（Sterling Group Ventures Inc.）。
Vancouver-based China Gold International announced on Dec. 1 it completed the acquisition of Skyland Mining Ltd., formerly owned by Rapid Result Investments Ltd. and China National Gold Group Honk Kong Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Gold Group Corp. It is now the sole owner of the Jiama Mine, one of the largest copper poly-metallic mines in China, according to its website.
以溫哥華為基地的中國黃金資源有限公司在十二月一日宣布，它已經併購了斯凱蘭礦業有限公司（Skyland Mining Ltd），後者先前本為訊業投資有限公司（Rapid Result Investments Ltd.）與中國黃金集團的子公司國金資源控股（China National Gold Group Honk Kong Ltd）所擁有。因此，中國黃金資源有限公司壟斷了西藏甲瑪礦場的所有權，而根據其網頁，甲瑪是中國最大的銅多金屬礦場之一。
The acquisition of the Jiama mine in Gyama completed in spite of protests staged in Toronto, Vancouver and Hong Kong.
雖然中國黃金資源有限公司併購的動作，在多倫多、溫哥華、香港等地都遭到抗議，然而甲瑪礦權還是由它取得了。
Frank Lagiglia, investor relations spokesperson for China Gold International, said he does not share the concerns of the protesters. He said the company’s technical report shows the mine has full support of the local people, and that it is on track to becoming the most environmentally friendly mine in the world.
中國黃金資源有限公司公關發言人法蘭克‧拉吉利亞（Frank Lagiglia）說他並不覺得抗議者的憂慮是有道理的。他說該公司的技術報告顯示該礦場完全得到當地民眾的支持，而該礦場正在朝著成為全世界最環保的礦場而努力當中。
“They talk about contamination of water; we use a recycling water program so there is no contamination,” Lagiglia said. “I don’t know the issues that they’re talking about, when we were there, we went with Tibetan officials and we were talking to the Tibetan people there, and really everyone is glad to be working.”
拉吉利亞先生表示：「他們抗議水污染的問題，可是我們使用的是一套水回收再利用的設備，所以沒有污染問題。我不了解他們的問題在哪裏，我們在當地的時候，遵循藏族的官員的指示，而且我們也跟當地的西藏人民溝通，每個人都對有工作機會，非常滿意。」
But Raymond Yee, a Vancouver activist and member of the Canada Tibet Committee, said their worries go beyond environmental damages endured by local villagers.
然而加拿大西藏委員會的會員余雷蒙卻說，他們所擔心的，不只是當地村民必須忍受環境受到破壞的問題。
“Our main concern is that the Chinese don’t seem at all concerned with the needs and the wants of the Tibetans,” Yee said. “And the Canadian firms will refuse, even though we know they know better, to get their heads wrapped around the whole concept of free, prior, informed consent of the local Tibet people about what’s happening.”
余先生說：「我們主要擔心的，是中國似乎並不關心西藏人民所需要、想要的東西。而加拿大公司，即使我們知道他們應該對這類事情經驗豐富，卻不想理解必須在事前與當地藏人充份自由地溝通，並取得他們同意的這種概念。」
Although China Gold International is based in Vancouver, the Chinese-owned China National Gold Group owns a 39 percent stake, according to a Bloomberg news report.
根據彭博新聞的報告，雖然中國黃金資源有限有公司的總部在溫哥華，然而中資的中國黃金集團卻擁有39%的股權。
“We’re against this kind of activity that exploits people that are occupied,” Yee said. “It’s occupied land in an environment where there’s a real climate of fear because most people are pretty privy to how the Chinese government cracks down on dissent.”
余先生說：「我們反對這類的開礦活動，因為它剥削利用了被異國佔領之下的民族，這是一個被異國佔領的地方，當地的氣氛真的是充滿恐懼的，大部份的人都對中國政府鎮壓異己的殘酷手段心知肚明。」
Tibet enjoyed de facto independence between 1912 and 1951, before China annexed the region. Annexation became official when the Chinese government and delegates from the Tibetan administration signed the 17-point agreement.
在被中國兼併之前，西藏在1912年至1951年享有實質上的獨立地位。兼併的動作在中國政府與西藏政府的代表簽署了一份《十七條協議》後成為事實。
But the agreement has been widely disputed and the annexation is widely viewed as an occupation. A report published by The International Commission of Jurists in 1959 supported claims that the agreement was signed under military pressure and significant duress.
然而該協議的有效性後來一直受到爭議，而中國兼併西藏也被廣泛地認為乃是異國佔領的作法。一九五九年國際法律人協會所發表的一份報告，同意《十七條協議》乃是在軍事壓力與重大威逼之下簽署的主張。
Large mining companies such as Rio Tinto have reportedly ruled out mining in Tibet because it is too politically sensitive.
大型的開礦公司，如力拓集團（Rio Tinto，譯按：這是一家澳大利亞的礦業公司）據說排除了它在西藏採礦的可能性，因為它認為此舉太過敏感。
“We’d be more open to it if they, for example, had consultations with the Tibetan government-in-exile to talk about mining and to see what it would have to say,” Yee said. “We’re just against mining under these kinds of conditions.”
余先生表示：「假如他們（中國黃金資源有限公司）能夠先跟西藏流亡政府諮商，詢問後者對在西藏開礦的看法，也許我們就會對此事保持比較諒解的態度。我們所反對的，是在目前情況下在西藏開礦。」
Looking to the future
未來何去何從
The future of Canadian-based mining companies operating in Tibet might have been different if Bill C-300, known as the Corporate Accountability Act or Responsible Mining Bill, had passed the House of Commons vote on October 27. But the bill was defeated 140 to 134.
事實上，在2010年10月27日加拿大下議院的表決過程之中，稱之為《企業責任法》或《負責任地開礦法》，簡稱為C-300法案，如果曾獲得通過的話，以加拿大為基地的礦業公司在西藏開礦的前景，可能就會有所不同。然而該法案卻以140票對134票未獲通過。
If passed, the Bill would have enforced financial and political sanctions against mining companies operating in foreign countries without free, prior and informed consultation from local indigenous peoples.
如果它獲得通過的話，該法案就會強制在外國開礦的礦業公司，必須在事前先向當地的原住民族進行自由的充份諮詢，否則就會面臨財務上與政治上的制裁行動。
Catherine Coumans, a research coordinator at MiningWatch Canada, said that under the bill there could have been a strong case made against mining companies, like China Gold International, even if they claim to have support from local Tibetans.
加拿大開礦觀察組織（MiningWatch Canada）的研究主任，凱撒琳‧庫曼（Catherine Coumans）表示，如果該法案通過的話，他們就會有充份的法律依據，可以對中國黃金資源有限公司這樣的開礦公司提起訴訟，即使後者聲稱他們擁有當地藏人的支持。
“The free part is the part that we would be really addressing,” Coumans said. “How free were the people they talked to? Given the political realities in Tibet, it would be very difficult [to have free consultation].”
庫曼女士表示：「『自由』這部份就是我們需要處理的部份。他們咨詢當地民意的時候，這些人可以自由地說出他們想說的話嗎？鑑於西藏境內的政治現實，他們要取得當地人真正的民意是十分困難的。」
Since the bill was defeated, there is no legal or formal mechanism for complaints against foreign practices by mining companies. However, Coumans said the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability, of which MiningWatch is a member, is currently discussing other options.
因為這份法案未獲通過，加拿大礦業公司在國外的不當行逕就缺少一個法律、正式的渠道可以加以處理。然而，庫曼女士表示加拿大開礦觀察組織所屬的加拿大企業責任網路（Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability），目前正在討論其他的可能性。
One alternative is private member’s Bill C-354, which was tabled by NDP MP Peter Julian and passed first reading on March 3. The bill had remained dormant after its first reading, but resurfaced on Oct. 21 when Julian submitted a petition in support of the bill to the house.
另外一個可能性是個別國會議員所提的法案，稱之為C-345法案，這是加拿大新民主黨的議員彼得‧朱里安（Peter Julian）所提出，並且於3月3月通過一讀。這項法案在一讀之後，卻未有任何進展，處於休眠狀態，在十月二十一日朱里安提出請願後又再度浮出枱面。
The Bill seeks to amend the Federal Courts Act to permit non-Canadians to initiate lawsuits against Canadian companies based on violations – in foreign countries - of international law or treaties to which Canada has ratified.
該法案的目標乃是要彌補《聯邦法庭法》之不足，允許非加拿大籍的人針對加拿大公司在國外違犯國際法、加拿大已經批准的法規，提出法律訴訟。
“The bill would ensure corporate accountability for Canadian firms operating abroad,” Julian told the house on April 1, 2009.
2009年4月1日朱里安在下議院表示：「此法案將會確保加拿大公司在海外負起應當的企業責任。」
But regardless of what happens in the future, Coumans argues that the mining industry as a whole generally accepts International Finance Corporation’s performance standards as de facto international standards. These standards include having free, prior and informed consultation with local peoples.
然而不論未來將會如何，庫曼女士主張，礦業公司整體上大致接受國際金融公司（International Finance Corporation）的表現標準（performance standards）。這些標準之中即包括了與當地人民進行自由、事前、充份溝通的諮詢過程。
“Based on these standards, one can definitely make the argument that a company cannot call itself a responsible mining company and mine in Tibet,” Coumans said, “because it cannot possibly poll the community in a free way.”
庫曼女士表示：「根據這些標準，我們絕對可以主張說，一家公司如果在西藏開礦，就不能自稱為一家負責任的礦業公司，因為它不可能在一種自由的情況下調查當地居民的意見。」
Given the recent acquisition of the copper mine in Gyama by China Gold International, as well as the leaked U.S. embassy cable regarding the Dalai Lama’s concerns with widespread environmental destruction caused by mining project, there is hope of increased international and Canadian pressure against mining in Chinese-occupied Tibetan land.
鑑於中國黃金資源有限公司最近取得甲瑪的銅礦採礦權，再加上美國大使館的電文被洩露，顯示達賴喇嘛對於開礦所造成普遍性的環境破壞非常關切，我們可望看到國際輿論與加拿大國內民眾對在中國佔領下的西藏境內開礦的計畫，表達出反對的聲音。
But if the discussion around Tibet sees no change in the next five to 10 years, then the imagery one usually conjures when thinking of Tibet will change. What is often known as Shangri-La and rooftop of the world will be extensively mined away, and a culture with thousands of years of history will fade away along with the land.
然而，如果國際輿論對於西藏的討論焦點，在未來的五到十年裏，還是不改變的話，那麼一般人未來想到西藏時，所想到的景色就會改變了。許多人心目中的香格里拉、世界屋脊將會大大地被礦業工司開採、消滅殆盡，而一個歷史淵遠流長的文明，也會隨之消逝。
“Tibet is the earth’s highest ecosystem and is extremely vulnerable: its rivers flow and are connected to many other areas and countries,” Woeser said. “But the mining companies are operating for their own profits and are blatantly neglecting any environmental concerns. Over time, the local area won’t be the only region affected; but a vast area of the world will be too.”
唯色說：「西藏是地球上海拔最高的生態系統，極為脆弱：它的河流流向四方，連結了各個不同的區域與國家。然而開礦公司卻只為了利潤，絲毫不顧對於環境的破壞。長此以往，受到影響的不會只有當地的人民，世界廣大地區都會受到影響。」
【注】唯色：在采访中，我举的事例是2010年5月21日，在西藏自治区日喀则地区南木林县索金乡的藏人民众，抗议来自山东潍坊的矿业公司在当地开采金矿，造成生态被破坏、食水被污染以及畜牧困难等。结果，当局派遣上千军警对这些手无寸铁、甚至举着五星红旗和平抗议的“翻身农奴”大动干戈，许多藏人被严重殴打，数十人被拘留，有两名被捕藏人下落不明。出于恐惧，一些村民逃至山上，至今不敢回家。8张现场图片如下所示：
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