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Lake Cowal goldmine: Greens call for an info, not cyanide, spill
Wednesday, 02 May 2007
On the International Day of Action against gold mining giant Barrick Gold, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the Iemma government to come clean on what emergency measures are in place to respond if deadly cyanide is spilt on route to Barrick Gold’s mine in Central West NSW.
This morning protesters, including members of Cyanide Watch, held an action at the transfer station for trucks transporting cyanide to Barrick Gold’s mine at Lake Cowal. Protests are also planned in the USA, Canada, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Tanzania, PNG and Europe.
“6,000 tonnes of cyanide will be trucked through NSW each year to feed the Lake Cowal goldmine, but the government is still withholding information on the risks to public safety.
“A cyanide spill will be deadly to residents living along the route.
“The government has chosen to hide behind dodgy exceptions of ‘commercial in confidence’ and ‘national security’ rather than reveal what emergency plans are in place in the event of an accident.
“Residents along the route who face a cyanide spill should be granted the opportunity to lift the veil and scrutinise the government’s proposed emergency response.
”A cyanide spill is no environmental group ‘fantasy’.
“The US state of Montana witnessed 62 cyanide spills and leaks between 1992 and 1998 before finally banning goldmining.
“Statistics from the RTA show up to 10 per cent of trucks are involved in a mishap each year.
“The NSW government has turned a blind eye to history because it prioritises the profits of big mining giants over public safety.
“Gold mining holds an enormous capacity to destroy land, ecosystems, waterways and human lives.
“When NSW Parliament resumes next week the Greens will also question the government about the enormous license it has granted Barrick Gold to hijack our scarce water supplies,” Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568