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Líder del pueblo Wiradjuri encabeza protesta contra Barrick en Australia
Por Luis Claps -
Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 at 6:36 PM
luisc@madryn.com.ar
Se espera que cientos de activistas se encuentren hoy en lago Cowal, donde Barrick Gold quiere explotar una mina de oro a cielo abierto con uso de cianuro. El líder Wiradjuri conducirá una ceremonia religiosa tradicional de su pueblo, para "alejar los malos espíritus".
barrick_aus3.gif, image/png, 300x406
David Tucker, gerente de desarrollo de Barrick, declaró que los guardias de seguridad de la mina intentarán persuadir a los manifestantes de permanecer fuera de sus límites. "De ahí en más será un asunto que manejará la policía", aseguró.
Hace unos días, una proyecto para prohibir el uso de cianuro en la minería a cielo abierto ingresó en el parlamento de Nueva Gales del Sur.
Sitio web de la campaña contra Barrick en el lago COWAL (Australia)
http://www.savelakecowal.org/intro.html
Notas de prensa:
Elder to lead gold mine protest
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1225609.htm
Friday, October 22, 2004. 10:21am (AEST)
Activists are expected to meet today at Lake Cowal, near West Wyalong on the NSW central western slopes, to stage one of the largest on-site protests against the Barrick gold mine development.
Wiradjuri elder Neville Williams is leading the traditional smoking ceremony, bringing sacred ashes from the fire at the tent embassy in Canberra.
Mr Williams is mounting legal challenges against several aspects of the mine's development, saying he represents the traditional owners of the land.
He says the convergence is on a large scale and demonstrates the massive support for his cause.
"We feel that the area there needs smoking and that's what we're about to do. We're to smoke the area to cleanse the area of the evil spirits," he said.
"It could take three of four days and we're expecting quite a few people.
"There could be 150 to 200 people at the gathering."
Barrick Gold's manager for business development, David Tucker, says his company will only move to stop the protest if those involved come onto the mine's land.
"Our security guards have been asked to observe and to ask people not to come on the mining lease," he said.
"If people do come on the mining lease then that will then become a police matter."
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Greens seek mine cyanide ban
Wednesday, 20 October 2004
http://www.abc.net.au/centralwest/news/200410/s1223640.htm
The New South Wales Greens have sought to ban the use of cyanide in the state's gold and silver mines.
Greens' MLC Lee Rhiannon yesterday introduced into State Parliament a private member's bill proposing a total ban on the chemical which is used in leach mining at sites, including Lake Cowal, near West Wyalong in the state's central west.
Ms Rhiannon warned there have already been cyanide spills, including one which killed 1,000 birds near Parkes.
She also says motorists would be put at risk by plans to truck 6,000 tonnes of cyanide per year from Queensland for use in the Lake Cowal mine.
"The RTA's [Roads and Traffic Authority] own figures show that one in 10 trucks are involved in an accident," she said.
"So as we get this truck convoy coming down from Queensland to New South Wales with the 6,000 tonnes of cyanide on board, there's a 10 per cent risk that one of those trucks will be involved in an accident.
"Again, it's not worth the risk."
Further debate on the bill has been adjourned until next week.