On the 2nd May there is a call out for a global day of action targeting Barrick Gold. This is part of the continuing struggle against exploitation by international mining corporations.

Barrick Gold classifies itself as ‘the world’s largest gold producer’[1] and has ‘27 operating mines…in North America, South America, Australia-Pacific and Africa’[2].

Barrick has been accused of the following:

• Chile: ‘the Pascua Lama gold project…It has been confirmed that the company is responsible for the destruction of important parts of the glaciers Toro 1, Toro 2, and Esperanza, as Chilean General Office of Waters (DGA) has determined that these glaciers have diminished between 50%-70% due to actions carried out directly by Barrick Gold’[3]
• Tanzania: the North Mara mine, the company is alledged to have direct links with a series of violent deaths. It has been alleged that local people who are in opposition to the mine are being targeted and murdered by police protecting the mine[4].
• Western Shoshone Nation: the companies Barrick, Newmont and Placer Dome were given contracts from the US government to mine the gold-soaked lands of the indigenous nation. ‘The ancestral territory of this native American people encompasses an area stretching from southern Idaho, through eastern Nevada, to the Mojave Desert of California. Underneath this swath of over 240 thousand square kilometers (over 60 million acres) lie billions of dollars worth of gold. Nearly 10 percent of the world’s gold production — and 64 percent of US production — comes from Western Shoshone land’[5].

On the 2nd May 2, communities around the world affected by Big Mining will carry out simultaneous demonstrations against the Barrick Gold Corporation[6] any support and solidarity actions are strongly encouraged!

For more information on Barrick Gold Corporation and other big mining companies, check out the Mines and Communities website on: www.minesandcommunities.org.

References
[1]Barrick Gold: Profile. Viewed 28/04/07
[2]Barrick Gold: Company Overview. Viewed 28/04/07
[3] Harvey Beltrán, ‘OLCA:”The other inconvenient truth: Al Gore’s visit to Chile financed by Barrick Gold’, BNAmericas, 30th March 2007. Re-published on MinesandCommunities.org. Viewed 28/04/07. See also, Beatrice Karol Burks, ‘Al Gore dumps Barrick Gold sponsorship for Chile visit’, The Santiago Times, 12/04/07. Re-published on MinesandCommunities.org. Viewed 28/04/07.
[4] Tracy Glynn, ‘There is death in them thar’ pits!’, The Dominion, Canada, 5th July 2006. Re-published on MinesandCommunities.org. Viewed 28/04/07
[5]Author Unknown, ‘Western Shoshone Nation, USA: Indigenous Peoples Unite to Oppose Destructive Mining Practices across North America ‘, NoDirtyGold.org. Viewed 28/04/07
[6] david modersbach, ‘Anti Gold Mining Conflicts Spreading’, 25/04/07, UK Indymedia. Viewed 28/04/07