From:
To:
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 10:33:21 +0100
>
> The Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal is working to protect a large
> inland wetland system which features Lake Cowal, home to many
> migratory birds and endangered species.
>
> Unfortunately, although the region has been listed on the National
> Estate for it's high conservation value and although it has been
> suggested by the State itself that it be considered for RAMSAR
> status, now there is approval for a cyanide leach open cut gold mine.
>
> The wetlands are also a very important sacred region for the
> Aboriginal Traditional Owners; Lake Cowal is the heartland of the
> Wiradjuri Nation. Unfortunately, the traditional owners have not been
> properly consulted with in this matter and drilling has commenced on
> the land.
>
> If this mine goes ahead, it will include a 1 kilometre wide open pit
> on the edge of the Lake. We do not want to risk the type of cyanide
> disaster that was reported worldwide in Romania and Hungary when
> cyanide destroyed the entire river system for over 70 kilometres.
>
> We are wondering if you might assist us in raising awareness about
> this matter by printing out and displaying the letter below that we
> have written to Barrick Gold, the Canadian company, second largest
> producer of gold worldwide, that is planning to implement this
> project. Furthermore, if you or others would like to support us, you
> could send a copy of the letter below to the company either through
> email or the post. If these could be on a table at the event with
> blank paper and pen, that would be very effective.
>
> Please help us to convince Barrick to make a correct decision in this
> matter and to discontinue the drilling that is now occurring and to
> halt further plans for a gold mine on this precious wetland system.
>
> for the Earth,
>
> Ruth Rosenhek (Rainforest Information Centre)
>
> on behalf of the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal (Our members include
> NSW Greens, Friends of the Earth Australia, Birds Australia, Nature
> Conservation Council, Mooka Traditional Owners, Mineral Policy
> Institute and many more...)
>
> See http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakec.html
>
> **********************************
> LETTER TO BARRICK GOLD
>
> Please email the letter below or a modified version to:
> with a cc to
>
>
>
>
> Or post to the address shown. Thanks!
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Mr Peter Munk, Chairman
> Barrick Gold Corporation
> Royal Bank Plaza - Suite 2700
> Toronto, Canada M5J 2J3
>
> Dear Mr Munk,
>
> Please halt the gold mining project planned for Lake Cowal, New South
> Wales, Australia.
>
> The Australian Heritage Commission has suggested that the NSW
> government consider the Lake Cowal region for RAMSAR listing. Lake
> Cowal is included in Australia's Register of the National Estate and
> its Directory of Important Wetlands. The National Trust of Australia
> (NSW) has also listed Lake Cowal as a 'Landscape Conservation Area.'
>
> In fact, Lake Cowal is habitat for a high diversity of waterbirds.
> With 172 species of birds recorded including migratory waders
> protected under international migratory bird treaties such as the the
> China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement, (CAMBA)and the Japan-
> Australia Migratory Birds Agreement, (JAMBA).
>
> It is unacceptable to risk cyanide spills, acid mine drainage and
> heavy metals, to name but a few of the possible consequences, in
> these important, sensitive wetlands. A spill of cyanide and arsenic
> laced wastewater could severely damage the entire wetland and related
> waterways, killing fish, birdlife and farm stock. Drinking water
> could be severely damaged. With the region being prone to floods,
> these sorts of risks are vastly increased.
>
> We support the Aboriginal traditional owners of Lake Cowal/The Bland
> who have declared their opposition to the Lake Cowal gold mine
> project. It is our understanding that Homestake/Barrick and their
> predecessors have not properly consulted with many Aboriginal
> traditional owners from the region.
>
> Homestake/Barrick should reconsider this undertaking. We believe that
> there are alternative means of revenue generation possible for this
> region that would benefit both land and people.
>
> The environmental and human rights record of Homestake/Barrick has
> already been marred by a number of infamous incidents. Examples are
> the 1997 civil suit filed by the US Department of Justice, the State
> of South Dakota and the Cheyenne River Sioux against Homestake for
> heavy metal pollution of Whitewood Creek, South Dakota; the May 1998
> spill of cyanide-laced tailings from the Homestake Mine into Gold Run
> Creek, South Dakota; and current allegations against Barrick in Chile
> and Tanzania.
>
> We urge you to work towards restoring your corporations' reputation
> by abandoning the Lake Cowal project forthwith. To proceed further
> would be to engage in a costly and long drawn out conflict with
> environmental defenders of NSW and Australia.
>
> Clean water is more precious than gold.
>
> Please advise us of your decision at your soonest convenience.
>
> Yours respectfully,
>
> YOUR NAME
> YOUR GROUP or AFFILIATION if you have one
> CITY/STATE/COUNTRY
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