Archived press release

Prince Philip's 'Biased' Briefing

27 March 1995

Friends of the Earth has reacted with considerable surprise and annoyance to comments reportedly made by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh to the effect that the environmental impacts of the proposed RTZ titanium dioxide mine in south-eastern Madagascar have been overstated [1].

Especially perplexing among Prince Philip's comments is his view that "Its an area which is not environmentally frightfully significant. I gather its marginal". In fact, the forests that will be lost to the mine are of global importance. They represent the last remnants of a unique forest type that once extended along much of the island's east coast. RTZ's own environmental impact study shows how the mine will destroy at least two thirds of the forests that remain and could lead to the extinction of dozens of species found nowhere else on earth [2].

Charles Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"I am extremely surprised and annoyed by the Duke's reported remarks. They do not make any sense. Prince Philip has obviously received a very biased briefing over the environmental impacts of the proposed mine. Dozens of unique wild animals and plants are under threat and may become extinct if the mine goes ahead. Even RTZ's own environmental impact assessment study doesn't dispute that".

"We have written to the Palace to ask where he got his information from and to urge the Royal Family to use its influence, especially if it is a shareholder of RTZ, to press the company to scrap the mine".

The remarks made by the President of the World Wide Fund for Nature followed a visit to Madagascar and South Africa.

Richards Bay Minerals, another RTZ subsidiary engaged in titanium dioxide extraction, is embroiled in a long running dispute over proposed mining in highly sensitive areas on South Africa's east coast.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The Independent, 27 March 1995, front page headline "Duke of Edinburgh defends Madagascar Mine".

[2] See for instance Lewis Environmental Consultants' 1992 report Madagascar Minerals: Environmental Impact Assessment Study Part I: Natural Environment (available from Friends of the Earth).

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust