Colombia is a major supplier of German electricity producers. To cheap to get to the raw material, exploiting the responsible man and nature without pity - with devastating consequences.
The German energy producers want to continue to do without coal. The existing power stations will be added in the coming years as late as 24 new ones. And even though coal power is a climate killer number one. But the controversial energy resource demands is another high price, which is found on any electric bill.
Enlarge a coal stockpile, taken from the mine in the Lower Rhine West Kamp-Linfort. (© dpa)
For companies such as Vattenfall, Eon, EnBW and Evonik burn more coal from Colombia, where it gradually degrades under catastrophic conditions. In recent years, moved the South American country to become a major supplier in Germany. Since the summer it is even in second place behind Russia, as evidenced by figures from the Federal Statistical Office.
Population and environment are exploited ruthlessly for it. The mines in Colombia are the world next to the Chinese as the most dangerous. But only rarely penetrate reports of accidents and abuses to Europe. Banned looked at the world in recent weeks to Chile, where 33 miners were rescued from a collapsed mine.
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From a tragedy that took place around the same time in Colombia, however, was hardly noticed. In a devastating methane gas explosion in the coal mine of San Fernando Amaga in the region of Antioquia 73 workers were buried and no one survived. Only Spain's King Juan Carlos condolences.
It was not the first accident of its kind in San Fernando, although the operation is considered relatively professional. Official statistics of the country occurred in the past six years, nearly 500 dead and 300 injured in accidents in coal mines. In just the past eight months in the areas of Boyacá, Valle del Cauca and Antioquia were killed 80 miners. Many mines operated illegally.
The coal mining in Colombia calls outside the mine casualties. Human rights report attacks on trade unionists report on child labor, labor rights violations, displacement and murder. In disputes arising in connection with the coal industry, according to the farmers' organization were Ascamcat in the past five years, more than 10,000 small farmers killed and 130,000 forced to move.
A significant part of the raw material is mined by open pit. Whole areas, including protected areas are depopulated ensure that residents are not compensated. "The coal mining in Colombia is destroying the livelihoods of many people," says Sebastian Rötters, mining expert at the FIAN.
But coal from Colombia is favorable. While the world market is currently about $ 100 a tonne to be paid, the costs of production are there at 30 dollars per tonne. This is confirmed by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) in Hannover. By comparison, in Poland, the third largest supplier in Germany, the cash costs amount to 80 dollars per tonne.
Clearly it is German coal. It proposes € 170, about 230 dollars to book. Without the exorbitant subsidies from the European Union if it were not for sale. By 2018, the reduction in Germany are therefore discontinued. German coal but still covers almost a third of the total domestic demand. This share, however, fall in the coming years.
Mining expert Rötters accuses the German electricity producers to beat profit from the evil trade in imported coal, "It should not be allowed that German energy companies skim off thanks to cheap coal from Colombia, huge profits and can not accept any responsibility, even if they are not directly in the degradation involved . 17 million tons of coal, the local customers in the first half of 2010, bought from abroad, came a quarter from Colombia. The Fian-man also criticizes many current provider did not make clear the sources from which they derive their carbon. "How will consumers know if their electricity is made of bloody money?"
Eon, EnBW and Evonik confirmed to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that they belong coal from Colombia, Vattenfall's first opinion was not to get. But when it comes to precise amounts are to be buttoned at EnBW and Evonik. "Detailed information, we do not," said a spokeswoman for Evonik. The company, based in Essen operates claims to coal-fired power plants in eight German and three foreign offices. In Duisburg-Walsum Evonik is building one of the most modern coal-fired power plants in the world. It will go into operation mid next year.
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In Baden-Württemberg, EnBW merely states the main sources are Colombia and Russia. However, were significantly decreased supplies from South Africa. The country has diverted its trade from Europe to Asia. Also German coal makes that only a fraction of the portfolio. EnBW operates coal-fired power plants in Altbach, Heilbronn, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, which is currently being extended by one block. He should go online in spring 2012.
Eon is there something specific information. Accordingly, Colombia in 2009 was at the Düsseldorf-based company the fourth largest supplier. By far the largest share of coal was referring to Eon's own data from the United States, followed by Russia and South Africa. The energy company generates electricity from coal at 14 locations in Germany. In building a power plant located in dates.
The charge that they would obtain coal from dubious sources in Colombia, reject the three power companies. They are committed to strict guidelines. Business partners are required to meet international standards of environmental protection and sustainability, according to EnBW. Evonik and Eon also refer to minimum standards that were set in the Global Compact of the United Nations and in the standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the suppliers would have to comply.
Human rights Rötters holds little of such commitments, even as their compliance difficult to verify. He accuses the groups to operate "greenwashing" and the Federal Government sees its duty. "Germany shall not take up energy policy based on the violation of human rights and pollution."
He believes that the problem will worsen as the large mining group Anglo American has announced its intention to significantly increase its production in Colombia. The British-South African company operates jointly with the Australian BHP and Xstrata, the Swiss group in the north of the country in El Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in the world. One area in which the rights of residents and workers, according to the Danish human rights organization DanWatch be ignored for decades.
