Is mining better than forests?

from w
I was talking with some people lately about the proposed bauxite mining and they were quite worried about the effects upon the environmnent. What feasability studies have been made about the expected effects upon the rivers there. Someone said mines like that pollute the water and kill the fish so what about villagers who live a subsistence life and need their protein? Development projects are fine in Fiji as long as there is consideration of the impact of these projects on the local people.

From reading items in the Fiji media including Fiji radio it seems they want to hurry up and cut the pine plantations in Nawailevu area in Bua. I think trees are much nicer than mines.

Some considerations about the possible impact upon the environment are presented in various website, one of which is:
PDF] Environmental problems related to bauxite mining and processingFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
to bauxite mining and processing. With emphasis on biodiversity and water ... Release of heavy metals causes pollution of food chain ...
www.bauxietinstituut.com/.../Environmental%20problems%20related%20to%20bauxite%20mining%20a...

And, points about the environmental concerns can be found on the following website. If these are carefully considered and found to be okay, then the bauxite mine should go ahead. It's to send to China. Of course.
PDF] PROPOSED TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR BAUXITE MINING PROJECT, NAWAILEVU, BUAFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd a subsidiary of Xinfa Huaya Alumina Co Ltd has identified a significant bauxite resource near Nawailevu, Bua which it proposes ...
www.environmentfiji.com/.../DraftNawailevuTOR%20_ver%203_%20forwebsite.pdf -