Violence Hits Protest at Bauxite Mine

Guinean security forces shot two people dead during protests at a bauxite mine owned by United Company RusAl, the BBC reported, citing unidentified witnesses. The protesters accused RusAl of not honoring an agreement to provide electricity and water to the community and protect residents from environmental hazards, the report said. An unspecified number of people were injured. The demonstrators attacked company property and blocked railway lines used to transport bauxite for export to the port in the capital, Conakry. Guinea has one-third of the world's reserves of bauxite, an ore used to make aluminum. On Wednesday, a leader of the protesters said RusAl's mine had been shut down for two days because of the demonstrations. RusAl said it was working with the government to resolve the situation. ---by the moscow times.com