Friends of Earth targets Microsoft over Indonesian tin mining

Microsoft Corp. was singled out by an environmental group campaigning against tin mining on two Indonesian islands.
Bangka and Belitung islands, off the Sumatran coast in the South China Sea, are being environmentally ravaged and excavated for tin, used widely in the telephone and computer industries, Friends of Earth Netherlands said. The group targeted Microsoft for "refusing to take steps to end irresponsible mining practices" on the islands.
"Big brands such as Apple, Philips and LG openly support projects to produce tin in a better way," said Friends of Earth campaigner Evert Hassink.
He added forest and marine wealth are being destroyed on the islands, and "miners are dying every week."
An online petition has been launched against Microsoft, and Thursday the group confronted Microsoft employees in their Amsterdam, Netherlands, office to voice complaints about working conditions on the islands.
Microsoft's Brian Tobey said in a statement the company will disclose a report indicating "the number of tin smelters and refineries in our upstream supply chain, including those in Indonesia."
Nokia, which is owned by Microsoft, is a signatory to the Tin Working Group, a partnership including corporations, environmental groups and the Indonesian government, to improve the sustainability of Indonesia's tin production.