Sino Hits Back at Misconduct Allegations

Australia's Sino Gold has hit back at allegations by the Chinese media, which has accused the miner of committing environmental, community and financial abuses.

According to China Central Television, Sino Gold, valued at US$1.3bn, paid next to nothing for the Jinfeng gold mine.

Sino was also accused of poisoning the water and disregarding local communities, while reaping windfalls as part of a tax-free deal.

Talking to Australia's The Age, Sino Gold Chief Executive Jake Klein said the programme was riddled with many "gross inaccuracies", making it difficult to take seriously

The 30-minute programme, which advocates tough restrictions on foreign investment in Chinese mines, was nationally broadcast twice last week with transcripts reprinted on more than 500 Chinese internet news and blog sites, writes the paper.

Sino Gold's flagship Jinfeng project is considered to be one of the largest gold mines in China, with planned initial gold production of approximately 180,000oz a year.

By Ozge Ibrahim