LAKE COWAL CAMPAIGN

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MEDIA RELEASES THROUGH JULY 2003
CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA RELEASES FROM AUGUST 2003 TO PRESENT

Traditional custodial owners of Lake Cowal will today serve a Notice of Eviction to Barrick Gold and Barrick of Australia. Wiradjuri Elders have issued the formal notice declaring the company to be trespassing on sacred land with a declared intent to destroy. All operations must cease immediately. All machinery and infrastructure is to be removed, graffitti is to be removed from trees and all artefacts are to be returned to the location they were taken from.

"Aboriginal people been here for many many thousands of years, from the first sunrise in fact. Aboriginal Sovereignty has never been ceded. We have never given up and we will never let go. We are a part of this land. It is our duty to stand up for Lake Cowal." Neville Williams, Traditional Owner.

Lake Cowal is the state's largest natural inland lake and the sacred heartland of the Wiradjuri people. The proposed open pit cyanide leaching gold mine is to be situated in the lake bed, which is visited by migratory birds from China and Japan and supports a diversity of wildlife and plants. Two unlined tailings dams will be filled with toxic wastewater and will pose a significant environmental risk to the surrounding area if they leach into the groundwater.

WHO: Wiradjuri Elders and supporters
WHAT: Notice of Eviction served to Barrick Gold and Barrick of Australia
WHERE: Barrick Depot, near Lake Cowal
WHEN: 9 AM Tuesday 22nd July

CONTACT: Neville Williams 0416316774

18 July 2003

LAKE COWAL GOLD PROJECT NATIVE TITLE CONTROVERSY TO BE HEARD BY FULL FEDERAL COURT

COURT GRANTS TRADITIONAL OWNERS RIGHT TO APPEAL TO STRIKE OUT NATIVE TITLE GROUP

The full bench of The Federal Court is to hear a precedent making appeal to strike out the Wiradjuri Native Title Claim Group who signed off on the controversial, Lake Cowal Gold Project, in the Lachlan River floodplain, 80ks south of Condobolin.

On July 17, 2003 Justice Branson granted leave for the Chairperson of The Mooka Traditional Owners Council, Neville Williams to file the Appeal to the Full Federal Court.

Mr. Williams has been litigating for over 18 months in a desperate bid to save Lake Cowal which he describes as “The sacred heartland of The Wiradjuri Nation.”

Following the Native Title sign off, The NSW Premier announced on the 13th of June, that Barrick Gold, the owners of the 1.2 Billion dollar Lake Cowal Project, had been granted a 20 year mining lease.

Yesterday the Court was told, that the mining company and government will rue the day if mining goes ahead. Mr Williams and other Traditional Owners have maintained their position that without their consent, Barrick Gold and the NSW Government will be facing a huge legal risk of hundreds of millions of dollars, similar to the OK Tedi precedent.

Mr. Williams said: “This tiny minority of people who have no rights under our traditional customs and lore have sold our priceless heritage for a few dollars, a couple of menial, low paid jobs and a cultural roadshow.

“They are the shame of the Wiradjuri Nation”

“I heard the Barrick Gold lawyers plead with the judge that my being in Court is causing them uncertainty they can be certain of one thing I will not be moved and I will never give way from my duty to ensure our sacred sites are protected.”

Inquiries Neville Williams 0416 316 774
Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network 9328 0968

July 13, 2003
WIRADJURI ELDER INVITES SUPPORTERS TO PROTEST AT LAKE COWAL

After a visit to northeast New South Wales last week, Wiradjuri Elder, Neville "Chappy" Williams has invited supporters far and wide to come and support him and other Traditional Owners of the Wiradjuri Nation in halting progress of a cyanide leach gold mine at Lake Cowal in central west New South Wales.

"Our Culture is not for sale," said Mr. Williams. "Neither Barrick Gold nor the Government of New South Wales can buy it and auction it off to whoever will shake hands on a deal with them.

"Now that the Minister of Mineral Resources has granted a mining lease to Barrick Gold and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales has granted Barrick Gold the right to destroy this sacred Heartland, we are inviting those who support us in the protection of Lake Cowal to come join us at the Lake where we will stage our protest."

"Lots of people up here in northeast New South Wales are keen to help protect Lake Cowal," said Ruth Rosenhek of the Rainforest Information Centre in Lismore. "We went through a very similar story with the Timbarra mine. We understand how governments and companies are joined together in a systemic genocide of indigenous people and the destruction of precious wetlands and waterways for the sake of profit."

"We were assured by the Minister of Resources, Minister Obeid, time and again that the Timbarra mine was a world's best practice gold mine. And yet the wastewater ponds overflowed. The rainfall figures were miscalculated. The water management system was faulty. And the cyanide leach pads were slumping in a mine that was disastrously constructed and a disgrace to the industry itself."

"We don't want to see the same thing happen at Lake Cowal. The tailings ponds, waste-rock mounds, open pit and many other factors of the project are rife with environmental hazards. "

"We support Mr. Williams and other Traditional Owners of the Lake Cowal region who are alarmed at the desecration of their special dreaming place. This project is a complete and utter outrage and is tainted with government hypocrisy."

Mr. Williams invites supporters to join him and others at Lake Cowal on July 20th and onwards. Lake Cowal is situated 57 kilometres north of West Wyalong.

For more information, contact Neville Williams on 0416316774
or Ruth Rosenhek, Rainforest Information Centre on (02) 66218505.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003
LAKE COWAL FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY

Nimbin Environment Centre is hoasting an afternoon of Environmental Videos, music and dance, to raise funds for the Lake Cowal Campaign.

"Lake Cowal is the largest wetland watersystem in NSW", said Nel Berry, co-ordinator of the event.

"A Canadian Mining Company, Barrick Gold, want to build a one kilometer-wide Cyanide-leach goldmine right on the edge of the lake".

"It's a crazy situation that a foreign company can risk destroying a wetland that is the heartland of the Wiradjuri nation and is also protected by international bird-migratory treaties. Australia has already lost 80% of it's wetlands in the last century".

The event includes a short movie about Lake Cowal plus other environmental videos. 'Nunukl Dancers' and 'One to One' will be performing, as well as several great local bands.

For more information contact Nel at the Rainforest Information Centre in Lismore (66213294) or Wayne at the Nimbin Environment Centre on Cullen Street (66892441).

The granting of a mining lease for the Cowal Gold Project in Central-Western New South Wales highlights environmentalists’ concerns that the project directly threatens the State’s largest lake, highly significant wetlands and surrounding environment.

“The Cowal Project is a high risk project,” says conservationist, Ruth Rosenhek of the Rainforest Information Centre, Lismore.

“The Carr Government originally knocked back the project in 1996 because ‘the project then proposed was simply incompatible with the high conservation values of Lake Cowal.’ A few changes were made to the design but some of these changes have actually increased the risk of the project. And yet the Government continues to offer assurances that there is going to be ‘better protection of the environment’.

“Reducing the number of tailings ponds from four (1996) to two (current plan) but doubling the sizes has increased the risks to birds and other small animals. Not only would the proposed tailing ponds prove too big to manage -- the ponds are 1.3 kilometres squared! -- birds would find them an attractive habitat thus raising the risks of cyanide accidents and massive birdkill.

“The government assures that the cyanide levels will be kept low and yet the proposed measurement regime of WAD cyanide discharged in the mining process is inadequate as is the method proposed to neutralize the cyanide.

“The Environmental Impact Statement may be long in length, but it is short in assessment of the project. The Lake Cowal Water Quality results are only based on 3 samples that may have been taken during a dry period. Both total and filtered levels of metals in lake water need to be measured. The use of Lake Cowal as an inland fishing area requires that an assessment of the impact of existing levels of heavy metals on fish should also be assessed. (Lake Cowal has provided New South Wales’ only commercial fishing venture in wet years).

“There will be high levels of arsenic in the estimated 52 tonnes of waste rock to be piled tens of metres high over about 150 hectares on the western edge of Lake Cowal. Arsenic is a dangerous poison that can enter the food chain, affecting fish, wildlife and humans.

“These are just some of the potential dangers and risks of the Cowal Gold Project which have not been adequately addressed. Others are the real economic benefits to Central West region, how many workers will be harmed in the mining venture, health issues for workers and local people, the effects of removing enormous quantities of water from underground borefields for use in the mining process and alternatives to the mine proposal that could deliver ecological sustainable jobs and save the environment.”

Ruth Rosenhek
Rainforest Information Centre
PO Box 368, Lismore, NSW 2480
(02) 66213294

23 June 2003
MINING LEASE FURTHER THREATENS ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE AT LAKE COWAL

The granting of a mining lease for the Cowal Gold Project has angered Aboriginal Traditional Owners who are trying to protect their sacred heartland.

ãNow Barrick Gold has a mining lease, our sacred cultural heritage and the environment at Lake Cowal is further threatenedä, according to Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams.

ãThe integrity of our sacred heartland will be irreparably damaged, should the mine go ahead. There will be a huge pit right in the middle of this very special place. The company has already done a lot of damage to the integrity of the site by collecting and damaging artefacts with drilling equipmentä, Mr Williams said.

ãIt is impossible to collect every artefact and those collected can never be returned to their exact location. The marked trees in the area, which the company wants to cut down, are hundreds of years old, like other huge River Red Gums at the lake. Animals and birds that live there will either have to leave or die.

ãPercy Knight, the spokesperson for the small group calling themselves Îthe Wiradjuri/Condobolin Native Title Claim Groupâ, has spoken about Îour timeless cultureâ. But our ancient culture is not for sale. The small handful of Wiradjuri people, who have sold out our cultural heritage and native title rights to Barrick by signing an agreement with them, should never have done this.

ãWe are lodging an appeal to the full bench of the Federal Court against the decision that came down on Friday 20 June 2003 in Grant v Minister for Land and Water Conservation for the State of New South Wales. There is no such group as ãThe Wiradjuri/Condobolin Native Title Claim Groupä registered with the National Native Title Tribunal. The majority of Wiradjuri believe that this group does not have the authority to sign anything.

ãTheyâre just puppets. The agreement theyâve signed with Barrick will only benefit a few people who are out for a quick buck. Percy Knightâs also calling for all Wirdajuri to come together. We should come togetherööbut to protect our culture. It cannot be sold off. Itâs against Wiradjuri traditional law to do this and for artefacts to be moved. They were put there by our ancestors. No-one knows exactly how old they are, but those of us holding traditional knowledge know that the artefacts are very old.

ãOur ancestors lived at and have visited Lake Cowal for millennia, conducting ceremonies and other cultural activities. It is a very sacred and special place. Wiradjuri people with traditional ties to the Lake Cowal area still visit and carry out ceremonies.

ãTraditional Wiradjuri are still very worried about the effects of cyanide and other toxic metals on the land and waters if the mine gets started. The company is also employing Aboriginal people at Lake Cowal under the Community Development Employment Program (CDEP). But we all know this is just Îcheap Black slave labourâ because the workers donât get paid union ratesä, Mr Williams said.


Contact: Neville Williams, Chairman, Mooka Traditional Owners within the Wiradjuri Nation Mobile: 0416 316 774

The Federal Court was told that the NSW Government and Barrick Gold would face a multi million dollar law suit if a Native Title agreement is finalised over the controversial Lake Cowal Gold Project.

Wilcox J was hearing a challenge from Wiradjuri Traditional Owners to strike out a registered native title claim group who have signed an agreement  giving the green light for the 1.2 billion dollar Lake Cowal Gold Project to proceed.

The Court heard evidence from Mooka and Kalara Traditional Owners that the purported claimants had no authority or rights to represent the Wiradjuri People to allow mining at lake Cowal which would destroy one of the most sacred sites within The Wiradjuri Nation.

The unincorporated claim group led by former Rugby League star, Percy Knight, who was serving a 2 year suspended sentence for defrauding The National Federation Aboriginal Education Consultative Group had already agreed to the NSW NPWS to issue a „consent to destroy‰ to over 20 significant Aboriginal sites at Lake Cowal.

Legal Representative for the the Traditional Owners, Mr Alan Oshlack, in response to the Courts inquiry, on what would be the consequence if the strike out succeeded in face of the signed agreement stated that: "They (the company and the NSW Government) would rue the day that they proceed without consent from the Traditional Owners. They will face a common law suit for trespass and damages."

Legal opinion estimates that such a suit could be estimated to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, many more times then any compensation payable under a Native Title agreement.
It would also open up a pandoras box of litigation from other Traditional Owners who have legitimate grievances that the Native Title Act is being used as a vehicle to dispossess and destroy Aboriginal Land and Culture.

Mooka and Kalara Traditional Owner, Neville Williams who bought the proceedings, stated after the hearing : "We will never give up the struggle to save our sacred heartland,  we will never let go. I advise Barrick Gold and the Government: don't desecrate our dreaming place don't mine our sacred site. Our heritage, culture and tradition is as old as time itself. How dare a foreign company come into our country and ride shotgun over Traditional Owners."

Wilcox J has reserved his judgement for ten days.

Inquiries Neville Williams ˆ 0416 316 774
Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network ˆ 02 9328 0968
12th of June, 2003

June 5, 2003
NEW SOUTH WALES LAGS BEHIND IN MINING REGULATIONS

The theme of World Environment Day 2003 is "Water - Two Billion People are Dying for It!" According to the United Nations Environment Program, "the theme calls on each of us to help safeguard the most precious source of life on our planet, water."

"Yet, here in New South Wales, the Carr government is not safeguarding our precious wetlands and lakes." says Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal.

"The Carr government has approved a gold mine that threatens one of the precious few remaining wetland systems and the largest inland lake in New South Wales,"

"Although approval has been issued for the Lake Cowal Gold Project, a number of high risk impacts have been completely overlooked. We ask the government to re-examine and respond to specific risk factors."

"Specifically, the tailings ponds are too large and will attract rather than deter wildlife. These ponds would be difficult to manage and a large birdkill could ensue as was seen at Northparkes a number of years ago.

"Furthermore, the proposed discharge system is inadequate as is the cyanide destruction technology. The current proposal would allow a number of lethal cyanide complexes to form in the tailings ponds.

"It is alarming also that arsenic in the mounds of waste rock could seep into the groundwater system and that tonnes and tonnes of wasterock would remain standing even after the project is concluded."

"In the Gold Rush state of California, regulations approved by the California State Mining and Geology Board (11 April 2003) require mining companies to refill new open-pit metal mines when they're depleted and flatten mine waste piles back to nearly the natural landscape.

"We question the Carr government as to why the Lake Cowal gold project is not designed according to world best practice guidelines. We should follow California's lead and make strong open pit mining regulations that ensure the ecological wellness of the region."

Contact: Ruth Rosenhek, (02) 66213294
Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal
PO Box 368, Lismore, NSW 2480

Challenge by Neville Williams against the Federal Minister for Environment’s refusal to issue an emergency declaration, to halt the destruction of Aboriginal Heritage at the controversial Lake Cowal Gold Project.

At the hearing of the 21st of May, Wilcox J, in the Federal Court gave leave to Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams to amend his claim and seek an injunction against Barrick Gold.

Mr. Williams of The Mooka Traditional Owners in his attempt to save Lake Cowal “The sacred heartland of The Wiradjuri” has been in a two year, desperate and bitter legal battle, against International Gold Mining Giant, Barrick Gold.

The litigation has spanned the Federal, Supreme and Land & Environment Courts. Until the 20th of May, most of the sites at Lake Cowal had some interim protection by injunctions. This changed when Bignold J in the LEC dismissed Mr. Williams attempt to invalidate the consents to destroy issued by the NSW National Parks, thus discharging the last remaining injunction.

Over the last eight days Barrick and their consulting archaeologist have employed teenage Aboriginal workers through CDEP and proceeded with a systematic plunder of over thirty sacred sites. Many of these sites are unrecorded and are thousands of years old.

On the 24th of May, Mr. Williams was escorted off site by security after he spoke to the teenage Aboriginal Workers about whether it was culturally appropriate that they be involved in the collection of artefacts.

Mr.Williams said: “I will use all means in the Courts to obtain justice to save our sacred sites. Our culture is very old, from the very first sunrise in fact. It is my sacred duty as a Traditional Owner within The Wiradjuri Nation to save and protect Lake Cowal. I am not for sale nor is our sacred heartland.”

Inquiries
Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network
9328 0968
Neville Williams 0416 316 774

From ABC Online:
Last Update: Thursday, May 22, 2003. 11:23am (AEST)

FIGHT CONTINUES TO STOP GOLD MINE

Aboriginal elder Neville Williams has lodged an application for a fresh injunction in the Federal Court to stop the development of an open cut mine at Lake Cowal, near West Wyalong in central NSW.

The action comes just days after a Land and Environment Court ruled an earlier challenge by Mr Williams against the mine had failed.

Alan Oshlack, who is representing Mr Williams, says the new injunction action is one of 12 separate litigations he is overseeing against mining company Barrick Gold.

Mr Oshlack says his client will fight the mine until it closes.

"Mr Williams, you know he has fought many fights in his life, and he's not a person who gives up easily in these matters, and we might lose a round here and there, but there's a lot of rounds left until we're knocked out," he said.

URGENT PRESS RELEASE
23 May 2003

FEDERAL COURT CHALLENGE OVER LAKE COWAL GOLD PROJECT MULTI MILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT

Angry Traditional Owners Repudiate Native Title Claim Group

Wiradjuri Traditional Owners have mounted a Federal Court legal challenge to strike out the Aboriginal Party to the recently signed multi million dollar Lake Cowal native title agreement.

The Traditional Owners of Lake Cowal represented by Senior Wiradjuri Elders have called on the NSW Government not to sign onto the agreement and instead called for a high level inquiry into allegations of fraud and deceptive conduct.

The agreement announced on 22 May 2003 by Canadian mining company Barrick Gold with an unknown organisation called ‘Wiradjuri Condobolin Native Title Claim Group’ is being used to pave the way for the start up of the controversial Lake Cowal Gold Project.

The chequered career of the controversial mine has been on and off in the pipeline for over ten years. The current exploration programme has been delayed by litigation bought by Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams, who is seeking protection of Aboriginal Sacred Site.

On 11 June 2003, Justice Wilcox in the Federal Court in Sydney will hear the strike out motion.

Mr. Williams said: “Lake Cowal is the sacred heartland of The Wiradjuri Nation. Our Culture and heritage is not for sale. There are very significant artefacts on the mine site which the National Parks have given consent to be destroyed. These artefacts are like the foot prints of our ancestors.”

“I will fight to the end to save Lake Cowal at all costs. I will not be moved. The agreement is a lie, there is no such group called The Wiradjuri Condobolin Native Title Claim Group amongst our people. It is a fraud perpetuated by those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the community and our sacred culture. A search of The National Native Title Tribunal registrar will confirm what I am saying” he said

Contacts: Neville Williams 0416 316 774
Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network (02) 9328 0968/ 0417 476 720

May 20, 2003

“Barrick Gold, Go Home!” Say Protesters. See http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/rally.html

On Thursday, May 22nd, Barrick Gold (Canada) Executive Vice President Pat Garver will offer a keynote address at the NSW Mineral Exploration and Investment 2003 Conference on "Why Barrick is investing in NSW".

Outside the conference, being held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, Mr. Garver and other conference attendees will be greeted by protesters chanting “Barrick Go Home”. These protesters are referring to Barrick Gold’s attempts to start up an open pit cyanide leach gold mine at Lake Cowal in central west New South Wales.

“Barrick has been repeatedly challenged in the courts by Wiradjuri Elder Neville Williams about the desecration of the sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation.” says Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal. “They are not heeding the wishes of Mr Williams and other Traditional Custodians of the Lake Cowal region.”

“Barrick’s plans for a cyanide leach gold mine on the largest inland Lake in New South Wales are ludicrous. Not only are mining activities by Barrick Gold destroying the hub of Wiradjuri Being, the proposed mine is flawed in its design, not nearly meeting world best practice guidelines.

“For example, the tailings ponds are too big to be effectively managed and contradict explicit recommendations made in the ‘Best Practice Guidelines: Reducing Impacts of Tailings Storage Facilities in the Northern Territory’; this booklet calls for small tailings pond cells. At the currently proposed size, there could be massive birdkill and it might not be detected until too late.

“Furthermore, the technology that would break down the lethal cyanide complexes is inadequate as is the proposed monitoring system. Too little, too late. We cannot risk allowing cyanide complexes to enter into the groundwater system.

“There are plenty of other problems including the possibility of arsenic leaching out of waste rock and into the food chain before heading down to the Murray Darling basin. As was seen in Bangladesh, arsenic in groundwater can cause an epidemic of skin cancer.

“It is unacceptable for a Canadian company to come here to Australia with the offer of a few temporary jobs in exchange for the destruction of Aboriginal culture, the destruction of one of our few remaining wetlands, and the potential risk to many species of birds that breed and migrate at Lake Cowal. Barrick, go home!”

“Our protection of the Lake for thousands of years also means that it is still the home and breeding grounds for hundreds of species of birds and mammals.” says Wiradjuri Elder, Neville Williams.

“The survival of many of the beautiful birds and animals at Lake Cowal is now threatened. This is sad and shameful. Lake Cowal is already recognized as an internationally important wetland and is listed in the Register of the National Estate.”

For more information, call Ruth Rosenhek, Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal on 66213294 or
Neville Williams, Mooka Traditional Owners Council on 0416316774
or email ruthr@ozemail.com.au and see http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakem.html

May 7, 2003
Barrick Gold Shareholders May Not Be Too Impressed

While Barrick Gold hopes to impress shareholders with an announcement (May 6, 2003) of a dividend being distributed next week, shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held today in Toronto may not be too impressed with Barrick's record in Australia.

"A number of concerned Canadians will be attending the meeting to deliver a statement from Wiradjuri Elder, Neville Williams and to let shareholders know that the Lake Cowal Gold mine (central west New South Wales) continues to be delayed,” says Ruth Rosenhek of the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal.

In his Letter to Barrick Shareholders, Neville Williams says, "There are many artefacts beneath the surface of the Lake because Lake Cowal is very, very old. Our artefacts are not “relics”. They have not been abandoned. They are where they are meant to be, left there by our Old People. Our Old People were massacred at Lake Cowal.

"And yet, Barrick Gold has applied for three Consents to Destroy, under section 90 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, in less than a year. I challenged the first Consent to Destroy as invalid. The second Consent to Destroy has an injunction against it from the NSW Land and Environment Court. Now, Barrick Gold has reapplied to destroy ALL the Wiradjuri sites, artefacts and cultural objects, including very old marked river red gums, within the proposed gold mine area at Lake Cowal. Some of the river red gums in the mine area are hundreds of years old.

"Our protection of the Lake for thousands of years means that it is still the home and breeding grounds for hundreds of species of birds and mammals. The survival of many of the beautiful birds and animals at Lake Cowal is now threatened. This is sad and shameful. Lake Cowal is already recognized as an internationally important wetland and is listed in the Register of the National Estate.

"Barrick Gold is proceeding with its drilling exploration program against the wishes of the majority of Wiradjuri Traditional Owners or any go ahead from a Native Title access agreement.

"I and other Wiradjuri Traditional Owners feel that the Wiradjuri Peoples have been denied our religious freedom, which is our right under the Australian Constitution, section 116."

"As shareholders exit the meeting, we will be handing them Lake Cowal campaign videos that show Lake Cowal, birdlife and threats to this precious region." says Rosenhek

"The Barrick Gold project is most definitely inadequately designed. The tailings ponds are too big and hence unmanageable, the cyanide destruction technology is insufficient, and arsenic risks entering into the river system heading downstream in the food chain of the Murray Darling Basin. These are but a few of the known risks. Clearly, this project needs to be halted."

For more information, call 61-2-66213294 or email ruthr@ozemail.com.au

See also http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakep.html

February 14, 2003

“NO CONSENT TO DESTROY” say Valentine’s Day Protesters

Today, protesters entered the offices of National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW) to issue Valentine’s Day cards to Director General, Brian Gilligan. The cards ask that no Consent to Destroy be granted to Canadian mining company Barrick Gold. Consent to Destroy would allow Barrick to destroy the sacred site of Lake Cowal including scar trees, Aboriginal artefacts and other cultural items in the name of an open-pit cyanide leach gold mine.

In Sydney, Grant Gilbert played didgeridoo outside of the National Parks Centre accompanied by George Dow who sang and played the clap-sticks.

Similar protests occurred outside of offices in Alstonville, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Queanbeyan.

Neville "Chappy" Williams, Traditional owner of Lake Cowal, Chair Mooka Traditional Owners Council within the Wiradjuri issued the following statement:

“This is the third Consent to Destroy, under section 90 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, applied for by the Canadian mining company, Barrick Gold in less than a year. I challenged the first Consent to Destroy as invalid. It was rushed through and signed on a Saturday by Terry Korn, Director of Western Division of NPW, who was on leave in Coffs Harbour. He did not have full documentation before him when he made his decision. The second Consent to Destroy has an injunction against it from the NSW Land and Environment Court, now Barrick Gold has reapplied to destroy ALL the Wiradjuri sites, artefacts and cultural objects, including very old marked river red gums, within the proposed gold mine area at Lake Cowal. Some of the river red gums in the mine area are hundreds of years old.

“The area is rich in artefacts,” says Neville Williams. “Some are as old as the pyramids of Egypt. Lake Cowal is our Dreaming Place and our sacred site. It is Wiradjuri’s past, present and future. There are also many artefacts beneath the surface because Lake Cowal is very, very old.

“Our artefacts are not “relics”. They have not been abandoned. They are where they are meant to be, left there by our Old People.

“How can the Crown claim they own our cultural objects? They belong to us and always will. But the Crown claims ownership, then makes the Director-General of National Parks the “Protector of Relics”, which gives him the power to consent to their destruction in favour of development.

“The National Parks and Wildlife Act is a very racist Act. It should be abolished. Once a Consent to Destroy is granted it cannot be revoked not even by the Minister, but developers have the right to appeal if they are not granted a Consent to Destroy and can keep reapplying for a Consent to Destroy even though the previous one has been injuncted and suspended by the court.

“I feel that the Wiradjuri Peoples have been denied our religious freedom, which is our right under the Constitution, section 116.

“It is our right to practice our own spirituality and religion on our own land. Our culture, heritage and tradition are as old as time itself. Wiradjuri is one of the oldest continuing cultures in the world today. It is time we are given the Respect we deserve.

“I say again to Brian Gilligan ’Have a Heart. Don’t break the heart of Wiradjuri’s sacred heartland. Don’t issue a Consent to Destroy Lake Cowal.”

Contact: Neville Williams, Traditional Owner, 0416 316 774, 0421 795 639

______________________________________________________________________________

February 14, 2003

Conservationists around the state will gather at NPWS offices at 12.30pm to deliver Valentine's cards for the Director-General Brian Gilligan.

The Port Macquarie action will take place at the Horton St office of NPWS. Local artist Jenny Short has created some truly remarkable Valentine's cards.;
The cards will all have a similar message:

"Have a Heart. Please do not issue a Consent to Destroy for Barrick Gold at Lake Cowal."
"You can't drink cyanide or eat gold"

The solidarity actions are part of an international campaign to save Lake Cowal in south-west NSW. Lake Cowal is the largest inland lake in NSW. The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to millions of birds. Barrick Gold, a Canadian company, plan to set up an open-pit cyanide leaching gold mine. To do this they need a Consent to Destroy Aboriginal Artefacts and Sites, from the NPWS.

Despite gold piling up in bank vaults we are being asked to destroy a unique inland water system, with all the disastrous consequences of cyanide accidents in our inland waterways, so Barrick Gold can increase it's share value.

THIS IS NOT OK!

Susie Russell
susierussell@tsn.cc

From: All of US

February 11, 2003

"Have a Heart" say Wiradjuri at Lake Cowal

“Have a Heart, Brian Gilligan, Director General of National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW). Do not Consent to Destroy at Lake Cowal,” say the Valentine’s Day cards that will be delivered to many New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service’s offices on Friday, February 14th..

The protest aims to dissuade Director General Brian Gilligan from issuing a Consent to Destroy to Barrick Gold. This is a permit Barrick has applied for as part of its plans to develop a large open-pit cyanide leach gold mine at Lake Cowal in central west New South Wales. Lake Cowal is the largest inland lake in New South Wales and is well known as the "Sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation"

"If Barrick Gold were to be granted a Consent to Destroy it would allow them to destroy all of the Wiradjuri sacred site area including marked trees, artefacts and other cultural objects.”said Wiradjuri Elder, Neville Williams.

"This is not the first time that Barrick Gold has applied for a Consent to Destroy at Lake Cowal. We have successfully litigated against Barrick for their illegal destruction of Aboriginal artefacts and yet despite the current injunction granted by the Land & Environment Court of New South Wales, Barrick Gold has sought yet another Consent to Destroy.”

In December, 2002 the Land & Environment Court of New South Wales granted an urgent interim injunction suspending the operation of permits and consents issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW) to Barrick Gold to salvage and destroy artefacts at the proposed Lake Cowal gold project.

In his decision, Justice Bignold stated that unless interim relief were granted to the Applicant, "irreparable damage" would be caused to Aboriginal artefacts in which "no alternative relief or compensation would be available."

“It's my duty as a Traditional Owner to protect the sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation for generations to come ."

The protests will take place on Friday at 12:30PM, in Sydney at The Rocks as well as in Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Alstonville, and Queanbeyan.

For more information about the protest, contact Ruth Rosenhek at (02) 66213294 or 0414218757

Also, contact Neville Williams on 0416316774 / 0421795639

For more details, see http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakem.html

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From: Coalition To Protect Lake Cowal

December 12, 2002

Plans for Lake Cowal Gold Mine Teeter
Will Barrick Gold Proceed With The Lake Cowal Gold Mine in Australia?

To its shareholders, Barrick Gold boasts a five-year US$2-billion development plan to increase its gold production by 21 per cent to 6.9 million ounces in 2006 yet plans to develop the Lake Cowal gold project in Australia have struck obstacles and delays.

In an affidavit of 29 November 2002 read to the New South Wales Land and Environment Court, Roger Bennetts, Group Commercial Manager of Barrick Gold of Australia Limited, states his concerns that "unless the approved project is physically commenced by 25 March 2004 the development consent will lapse."

Bennetts states that delays to the Cowal gold project due to litigation and the "unexpectedly protracted time to procure" permits to salvage and destroy Aboriginal artefacts "have materially reduced the Project's ability to absorb any further delays."

"The timeline for completion of drilling, detailed mine design, preparation of pre-construction management plans and commencement of mine construction, is in my opinion now a very"tight" timeline." said Bennetts.

The litigation which Bennetts refers to are a series of court actions led by Wirdajuri Elder, Neville "Chappy" Williams to halt the destruction of Aboriginal artefacts, scar trees and sacred sites at Lake Cowal, the "Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation" where Barrick Gold has plans for an open cut cyanide leach gold mine.\

In its most recent court decision earlier this month, the Land & Environment Court of New South Wales granted an urgent interim injunction suspending the operation of permits and consents issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW) to Barrick Gold to salvage and destroy artefacts at the proposed Lake Cowal gold project.

Barrick Gold faces other problems as well at Lake Cowal.

"Barrick is coming up against a wall in their plans for an open pit gold mine at Lake Cowal," said Ruth Rosenhek, Spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal. "Not only have they been facing ongoing court action, they have allowed their water licences to lapse. These licences are critical for the operation of a gold mine; without these they cannot proceed and there is strong opposition to the re-issuance of these licences.

"A gold mine project at Lake Cowal would face huge environmental challenges. Barrick has pulled the wool over the eyes of their shareholders to boast a cash cost of $170 an ounce, a 25 percent reduction from their prevailing costs. Surely, the only way to do so would be to cut corners wherever possible and we will not allow this to happen. The Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal will continue to support the Traditional Custodians of this Land to stand up for their sacred cultural heritage."

For more information, contact Ruth Rosenhek on 61-2-66213294 (or (02) 66213294 in Australia)

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From: Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams

December 2, 2002
Court Halts Destruction of Aboriginal Sites at Lake Cowal

Wiradjuri Elder Obtains Urgent Injunction to Suspend Consent to Destroy Aboriginal Artefacts Issued by National Parks to Barrick Gold

The Land & Environment Court of New South Wales, in the afternoon of December 3, granted an urgent interim injunction suspending the operation of permits and consents issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NSW) to salvage and destroy artefacts at the proposed Lake Cowal gold project.

Mr Neville Williams, a Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, moved in the court on Friday, November 29 for urgent relief following the NPWS decision to issue a consent which would allow Canadian company, Barrick Gold, to intensify its exploration drilling program.

In his decision, Justice Bignold stated that unless interim relief were granted to the Applicant, "irreparable damage" would be caused to Aboriginal artefacts in which "no alternative relief or compensation would be available."

In balancing his decision, his Honour has still allowed the Company to continue to collect artefacts under a strict regime of conditions which is subject to other ongoing proceedings.

Wiradjuri Elder, Neville Williams said, "It's my duty as a Traditional Owner to protect the sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation."

His Honour has directed that the full challenge to the validity of the consents issued by NPWS will be heard on the first available dates in the new year.

Contact Neville Williams on 0416316774/0421795639 or Al Oshlack on 0415140410/95661852.

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From: Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams

November 27, 2002
Consent to Destroy Botched in Lake Cowal Project

This week in the NSW Land & Environment Court, Traditional Owner and Custodian for Lake Cowal Neville "Chappy" Williams is charging Barrick Gold with the ongoing illegal destruction of Aboriginal artefacts and desecration of sacred lands as part of Barrick's intensive exploration drilling program at Lake Cowal, situated in central New South Wales.

Mr. Neville Williams wants to halt the Consent to Destroy (Section 90) on all Aboriginal sites within the Cowal gold project area and charges that New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) has improperly issued the consent.

"It would seem that NPWS is facilitating the destruction of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage by heedlessly issuing Consents to Destroy at a reckless rate. " said Mr. Neville Williams.

"In the last year, NPWS has issued over 200 of these permits. We wonder how many applications have been turned down by NPWS!"
"Whilst on holiday this past Saturday, Terry Korn, Director of the western district NPWS issued a Section 90 Consent to Destroy to Barrick Gold, right before the court case began. In their haste to issue the permit, attached schedules were left out. This is sloppy and improper conduct."

"Lake Cowal is the sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation. This drilling must be stopped before further destruction is done to our Cultural Heritage."
On Tuesday evening, November 26, Mr. Williams made an urgent request for the Minister of Environment Bob Debus to intervene and ensure the Consent to Destroy is not re-issued.

Contact: Neville Williams, Chairman, Mooka Traditional Owners within the Wiradjuri Nation 0416 316 774 or 0421 795 639 or 66213294

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From: Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Williams

November 18, 2002
Sacred Fire Burns at Lake Cowal

On Saturday, November 16, 2002, an offspring of the sacred fire from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra was brought by Wiradjuri Elders to bring peace and justice to Lake Cowal in Central New South Wales. Canadian company, Barrick Gold is continuing to damage Aboriginal artefacts and to desecrate marked trees and sacred lands as part of its intensive exploration drilling program at the Lake which is under long term threat by Barrick's proposed cyanide leach gold mine project.

"We're conducting a sacred ceremony here." said Wiradjuri Elder Neville "Chappy" Williams when questioned by local Authorities. "This fire is created by the Great Creator Spirit and we are calling on the Creator Spirit for the strength to stop the willful destruction being inflicted on this land. It's our responsibility to protect this sacred land, the heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation, at all costs."

Despite concern by local Authorities, Mr. Williams defended his right to keep the sacred fire burning to perform religious ceremonies. Mr. Williams stated that under Section 116 of the Australian Constitution, Freedom of Religion, this right is protected.

"I assured the official from the Rural Fire Service that the precedent has already been set at the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecution in ACT which defended the right of Aboriginal people at Tent Embassy in Canberra to maintain a fire, through total fire ban, for ceremonial and traditional purposes."

Contact: Neville Williams, Chairman, Mooka Traditional Owners within the Wiradjuri Nation 0416 316 774 or 66213294

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From: Rainforest Information Centre

November 11, 2002
Campaign Mounts as Sacred Fire Heads to Lake Cowal

The campaign to protect Lake Cowal from the development of a cyanide leach gold mine on New South Wales’ largest inland lake is quickly mounting. Court action, campaign video and Sacred Fire gathering at the Lake will all be in full swing in Mid-November.

“On November 16, following the WTO protests in Sydney, Wiradjuri Traditional Owners will be carrying the Sacred Fire for Peace and Justice from Canberra’s Tent Embassy to the Lake, known as the “heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation” said Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal.

“Meanwhile Minister Kemp will be receiving an application from Wiradjuri Elder Neville Williams for an Emergency Declaration to gain a protection order for Lake Cowal under the Commonwealth’s Aboriginal/Torres Strait Heritage Act.

“Mr. Williams will also be in court at the end of the month seeking a halt to Barrick Gold’s exploration drilling which is causing ongoing destruction of Aboriginal objects without a proper consent to do so from National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“At the same time, our campaign video entitled Lake Cowal: Our Story will be aired at the Wild Spaces festival in Melbourne and will travel to other major cities across the nation.The video raises awareness about the dangers associated with the Cowal Gold Project

“Support is fast growing and awareness about the dangers posed by the Lake Cowal gold mine project is heightened.”

Lake Cowal is of national and international importance as the largest inland lake in NSW registered on the National Estate. 172 bird species inhabit the lake, including internationally protected migratory waders from China and Japan. Barrick plans to import 50,000 tonnes of cyanide into this fragile ecosystem, creating a 76 million tonne cyanide tailings pond. Barrick would leave behind 50 million tonnes of arsenic-rich waste rock mounds and a kilometre long open pit which have the potential to leach arsenic and other heavy metals into the groundwater system and into the waterways.

Contact: Neville Williams 0416316774, Eloise Corlett 0410436030, Ruth Rosenhek (02) 66213294.

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From: Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal

October 31, 2002
Lapse of Water Licences Spells Doom at Cowal Gold Project

The future of the Lake Cowal Gold project is in question as four bore licences that are needed to provide water to operate the proposed cyanide leach gold mine at Lake Cowal have all lapsed.

“The licences required that work be commenced and completed within three years of the date of the issuance of the licences,” said Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal.

“Barrick Gold continues to conduct exploration drilling up to 750 metres deep in the lakebed, however, they have not moved forward with the construction of the bores.

“Due to water shortages, there is an embargo (hold) on any further applications for sub-surface water licences in the Upper Lachlan groundwater management area. The Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal has informed the Department of Land & Water Conservation (DLWC) that we do not support trading into or out of embargoed catchments.

“As it says in the Water Management Act, it is the duty of the DLWC to provide for the sustainable and integrated management of the water sources of the State for the benefit of both present and future generations and to to encourage best practice in the management and use of water.

“In this case, each licence permitted the pumping of 15 Mega litres of water per day. With water restrictions sweeping across New South Wales, the Department cannot ignore the huge impact that large scale gold mines such as the Cowal Gold project have on a region’s water supply. A short sighted approach will not be tolerated.”

For more information, contact Ruth Rosenhek at (02) 66213294.

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From: Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal
October 7, 2002

Barrick Gold Plunges

Barrick Gold’s shares crashed on the Toronto Stock Exchange last week, plunging 10% as it issued a profit warning.

Investors were shocked since just nine days earlier Barrick announced a growth plan designed to make Barrick Gold the world's largest and most profitable gold producer.

“Barrick Gold cut its profit forecast for the year because lower-than-expected ore grades at some mines resulted in lower production and higher costs.” Said Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal

“The proposed mine for Lake Cowal could be economically doomed as well due to the low grade ore body. To produce 2.7 million ounces of gold Barrick would need to bear the costs of excavating 128 million tonnes of rock from a 1 kilometre long 325 metre deep pit situated in the Lake itself.

“For every tonne of rock dug up, a mere six tenths of a gram of gold would be recovered. It is very difficult to believe that this endeavour is economically feasible.

“Waste rock would form mounds that sit twenty to thirty metres high over hundreds of hectares alongside Lake Cowal. These deposits would have a high potential to seep arsenic and other heavy metals such as zinc and cadmium both into the Lake as well as the surrounding lands and hence the groundwater.

"Monitoring would not guarantee anything since everything might seem fine until a flood time in which case arsenic levels would suddenly rise over the acceptable limit and at that point there would be nothing that Barrick Gold could do about it.”

For more information, contact Ruth Rosenhek at (02) 66213294.

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From: Wiradjuri Traditional Owner
Canberra, 19 July 2002

Mining Company Denies Wiradjuri Access to Lake Cowal Site and Artefacts

Police and Barrick Gold have prevented Wiradjuri Native Title Applicants and Traditional owners/custodians from viewing artefacts and inspecting where they are being collected at Lake Cowal in central-western New South Wales.

A Barrick Gold manager Mr Bill Shallvey, had agreed to Wiradjuri people from Condobolin, including Elders, viewing artefacts kept at the company‚s compound near West Wyalong on 16 July 2002. The artefacts have been collected, under intense Wiradjuri opposition, at the proposed gold mine on Lake Cowal where Barrick is undertaking exploratory drilling on a sacred site.

According to Traditional Owner, Neville Williams, when the Wiradjuri party arrived at the compound the gates, they were locked, although workers were inside.

„West Wyalong police arrived and two Elders were allowed inside, where Mr Shallvey told us that we could not see the artefacts after all nor visit mine site areas or we would be in contempt of Court and could be arrested for trespassing. Later Sergeant Patrick Swift told us that the land in question Œhas recently been acquired‚ by Barrick Gold and he had the power to make arrests‰, Mr Williams said.

„We are not aware that the Lake Cowal leases have changed hands at this time. The police told us that we had to go through a protocol, but Elders had already done that by phoning the company the day before. When Native Title claims are in process, mining companies are supposed to work with claimants, not against them. The company‚s behaviour, in denying us access to our artefacts, to our sacred land and by calling the police, is nothing more than intimidation. The artefacts are alleged to be locked up in a container in the company‚s compound. We discovered that the manager has a key to the container but he would not let us see the artefacts.

„When we went down to the public Game Reserve near the proposed mine site, the police and Barrick security were watching us the whole time. We are sick of this kind of this unnecessary intimidation. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) issued a permit to a company archaeologist against the wishes of the majority of Wiradjuri people who do not want the Lake Cowal site desecrated any further. The NPWS has a duty to care for and to protect Aboriginal sites. Lake Cowal has been nominated as an Aboriginal Place under the National Parks and Wildlife Act‰, Mr Williams said.

„In my challenge to the validity of a NPWS artefact collection permit granted to an archaeologist working for the company, Mr Justice Bignold of the Land and Environment Court has reserved his decision so far for three weeks. Another Judge refused to issue a Court Order so that I could not complete an earlier mine site inspection cut short by the company.

„Now the artefacts have been collected, the site can never be returned to exactly what it was if the permit is eventually overturned and the Court orders that they be replaced. Lake Cowal is a very sacred place for the Wiradjuri people. We have connections to the lake and the surrounding area which stretch back millennia. Our people have been here since the Beginning‰, Mr Williams said.

Contact: Neville Williams, Chairman, Mooka Traditional Owners within the Wiradjuri Nation
0416 316 774 or 0421 795 639
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From: Wiradjuri Traditional Owner
6 June 2002

Court Orders Mining Company to Cease Collecting Lake Cowal Artefacts
The New South Wales Court of Appeal has issued an interim order halting the collection of Aboriginal artefacts at Lake Cowal.

The Honourable Mr Justice Shaller and the Honourable Justice Giles are expected to hand down a decision on the matter next week, although it may take longer because the case is complex.

The NWPS granted a permit on 23 May 2002 to a Barrick Gold consultant archaeologist to collect Aboriginal artefacts at the site. Work has been stalled at the proposed mine site since 22 March 2002 when Justice Bignold of the Land and Environment Court ordered Barrick to cease using any vehicles and machinery at the site which might damage Aboriginal artefacts.

Allan Oshlack, legal representative for Wiradjuri Elder Neville Williams, who brought the action, said: "The difficulty faced by the Court in adjudicating this matter is a reflection of the relationship gulf between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

"We have a situation on our hands, as clearly stated by Wiradjuri Elders, that disturbance of artefacts at Lake Cowal will bring sickness on the Wiradjuri people. This is being balanced against short-term employment and business opportunities.

"In my experience, once mining companies have finished their exploitation, poisoning and desecration, they create far more social and economic loss to rural communities than they ever contribute."

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From: Rainforest Information Centre/Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal
April 29, 2002

TELEVISION AD PLEAS WITH BARRICK SHAREHOLDERS
TO HALT THE LAKE COWAL GOLD PROJECT IN AUSTRALIA

Environmentalists from Australia are heading to Toronto where they will sound the alarm about the risks that Barrick Gold’s Lake Cowal Gold Mine project poses to the lake and surrounding wetland systems.

A television ad featuring well known Aussie actor Jack Thompson will be aired from April 29th through May 8th on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s station during a variety of shows including Neighbours, Simpsons, Coronation Street, and CBC Late Movies. It will also play during Saturday’s Toronto Maple Leaf National Hockey League Playoffs.

Thompson asks Torontonians “Look, would you want a 1 kilometre wide gold mine pit that uses cyanide to be developed in the Toronto Harbour?” Speaking over footage of pelicans flying over Lake Cowal, Thompson continues, “Well, That's what Barrick Gold's got planned, right here, Down Under. Now, we can't all fly over there so could you blokes tell Barrick Gold to halt their plans? Stop eh? Fairs fair. Cheers mate.”

The television ad is one of a number of events that Rainforest Information Centre, directors John Seed and Ruth Rosenhek will be initiating on behalf of the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal during their visit to Toronto.

“With Barrick Gold’s annual general meeting coming up, we want shareholders to fully understand that this project not only poses enormous risks to the environment, it is also planned for development on an Aboriginal Sacred Place” says Rosenhek. 

“To place a gold mine on the edge of a Lake (in this case the largest inland lake in the state of New South Wales), on a huge wetland system home to many migratory birds and a floodplain is not a sensible choice. Australia has already lost 89% of its wetlands.Why risk cyanide and arsenic in the waterways and the desecration of sacred lands for a low to medium grade ore body?”

“We’ll be holding an anti-globalization style festive rally outside of the Barrick Gold annual meeting at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. We feel that Barrick Gold would be wise to put a halt to this project. As Jack Thompson says “Fair’s fair.”

A spill of wastewater containing cyanide, arsenic and other toxins could severely damage the entire Cowal wetland and related waterways including the Murray River System, already over-stressed by salt, acidity nitrogen and agricultural chemicals. As well as possibly killing fish, birds and farm stock, potential toxins could enter the food chain and jeopardise fishing industries and drinking water.

Last month, the Land & Environment Court in New South Wales (NSW), Australia granted an injunction restraining Canada's Barrick Gold/Homestake Mining from continuing any exploration drilling at the Lake Cowal gold project site situated in Central Western New South Wales. The action was taken by Wiradjuri Traditional Owner Neville 'Chappie' Williams claiming that the current exploration activities at Lake Cowal were causing damage to sacred relics and artefacts without any "Consent to Destroy" being granted to Barrick Gold by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW).

A “Water Is Life” evening will be held on May 7th at SuperSprouts which will include a short Lake Cowal video, music and speakers. The festive rally will be held outside the Royal York Hotel beginning at 9:30AM, May 8th, 2002.

For more information, see http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/gold/lakep.html or contact ruthr@ozemail.com.au

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From Neville Williams, Wiradjuri Traditional Owner
March 22, 2002

Wiradjuri Traditional Owner Halts Mining Exploration at Lake Cowal
Court grants urgent interlocutory injunction to halt damage to artefacts.

Today the Land & Environment Court in New South Wales, Australia granted an injunction restraining Barrick Gold/Homestake Mining from continuing any exploration drilling at the Lake Cowal gold project site. The injunction also extends to restrain any movement of vehicles at the site. The interim injunction takes effect from 12 noon March 23rd and all machinery must be removed off the site by 12 noon Monday, March 25th.

The action was taken by Wiradjuri Traditional Owner Neville 'Chappie' Williams claiming that the current exploration activities at Lake Cowal are causing damage to sacred relics and artefacts which are part of the sacred heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation.

The application for the injunction was made on the grounds that the relics were being damaged without any "Consent to Destroy" being granted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW).

Evidence by consulting archaeologists and video tapes showing the damage was presented to the court. The Mining company proposal to collect all the relics and remove them to the National Parks office in Forbes was dismissed.

Mr. Williams said "I feel quite pleased. We have to save the Wiradjuri's past for the future generations and that's Wiradjuri's history at Lake Cowal. It's the heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation. We have close and ongoing ties with Lake Cowal, Our heritage and culture and tradition reaches back to the beginning many thousands of years ago. Our race is as old as time itself. "

"I feel that the result today is moving forward in the right direction. I would like to see the mine project completely halted. Our sacred site should be there for always, for generations and generations to come."

Barrick/Homestake's Cowal Gold project proposes to construct and operate a gold mining utilize cyanide extraction process on Lake Cowal in Central Western New South Wales in the upper Lachlan wetlands.

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Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal (Click here for Coalition Members)

February 17, 2002

International Groups Decry Barrick Gold's Plans for Lake Cowal

Word is spreading rapidly about Toronto’s Barrick Gold’s plans to implement a cyanide leach gold mine at Lake Cowal situated in Central West New South Wales, Australia.

During World Wetland Week (Feb 2-6), international support for the protection of Lake Cowal spread rapidly across the globe. Organizations and individuals worldwide sent letters to Toronto’s Barrick Gold, world’s 2nd largest gold producer, asking Barrick to put a halt to their plans. Groups raised their voices from across east and west Europe, Serbia, Ukraine, Canada, US, Indonesia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and South Africa. Campaign Supporters from abroad now include IUCN Sri Lanka, WWF Bolivia, Friends of the Earth International, Earth Justice Movement (South Africa) and Institute for the Protection of Nature of Serbia.

“Wetlands are of international significance.” says Ruth Rosenhek, spokesperson for the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal . “According to World Watch Institute, the Earth has lost over one half its wetlands in the last 100 years and more than 800 million people are now without clean freshwater. Australia has lost an astronomical 89% of its wetlands.”

“Wetlands are important because they supply freshwater. They act like giant sponges that absorb rainfall and slowly release it, while helping to purify water and control floods.”

Lake Cowal is not only named in Australia’s Directory of Important Wetlands, it is also listed for its high conservation value on the Register of the National Estate. According to the Register of the National Estate listing, "Lake Cowal supports populations in excess of 1% of the national population of waterbird species. Because of this New South Wales Government is currently preparing a nomination for its consideration as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention.”

“Unfortunately, National Parks & Wildlife Services has not pursued the nomination for Lake Cowal due to ‘resource constraints’ and ‘complex nature of tenure’," says Rosenhek. "We believe that these wetlands would have been nominated had a gold mining project not been in the works. We urge NPWS to start working on the nomination as a matter of urgency. To do otherwise would be to risk losing a crucial component of the world’s heritage.”

"Clearly it is too risky to put a cyanide leach gold mine on the edge of a precious Lake and wetland system. Just last week a small spill in Northern Territories killed over 500 birds, a dingo and some kangaroos. It is not acceptable or sensible to risk terrible damage to drinking water, river life and birdlife to name but a few of the potential outcomes of this endeavor."

The Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal launched the campaign to protect Lake Cowal in December 2001. Membership in the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal has grown to now include 16 groups including Friends of the Earth Australia, Birds Australia, Nature Conservation Council, The Greens NSW and Humane Society International. 

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February 9, 2002 .
Posted: 17:09:14 (AEDT) - ABC News Online

Ecosystems under threat from proposed gold mine: conservationists

A peak environmental group claims ecosystems in South Australia and Victoria could be badly damaged if a proposed gold mine goes ahead in New South Wales.

The Lake Cowal Gold project in central west New South Wales is in the exploration phase, with hopes it will begin production in February next year.

If the mine gets final approval, cyanide would be used to extract the gold out of ore.

Cathy Ridge, from the Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales, says the proposed site for the mine is home to over 172 species of migratory birds.

"Now those birds nest and feed and travel between a whole range of ecosystems across sort of that whole area of inland New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia," she said.

"Those birds could potentially transfer any contamination that could occur as a result of a cyanide mining across into those ecosystems." she said.

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December 11, 2001

Timbarra mining accidents a lesson for Central West mine proposal

Serious environmental accidents at the Timbarra Gold Mine in northern NSW have spurred on a newly formed coalition of conservation groups that are opposing the development of another cyanide leaching gold mine planned for Lake Cowal in the State's Central West.

The 'Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal' today announced the start of a campaign to put a halt to the Lake Cowal gold mine project, saying the proposed development made a mockery of Australia's commitment to environmental protection. The fast growing Coalition includes peak environmental groups such as the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Friends of the Earth Australia and the Mineral Policy Institute, as well as The NSW Greens, the Rainforest Information Centre and Central West Branch of The Wilderness Society

The Lake Cowal proposal involves the development of a one kilometre wide open pit for cyanide leach gold mining that would expose the ecologically vulnerable lake and Cowal wetlands to the threat of cyanide spills, acid mine drainage and contamination from heavy metals. An accident of this type would have a catastrophic effect on fish and wildlife, including internationally protected migratory birds, and could potentially contaminate groundwater sources used throughout the region

Spokesperson for the Coalition, Ruth Rosenhek: "This mine presents an alarming risk to the environmental and social health of the central west region of New South Wales and there is no way of guaranteeing that accidents will not occur if it is allowed to proceed. Any decision to approve the development of this mine makes a mockery of Australia's environmental regulations and exposes stated commitments to the environment as hollow rhetoric."

"Cyanide spills are commonplace. In Romania last year, tonnes of cyanide laced water and heavy metals spilled into the Tisza and Danube rivers wiping out all river life for 75 kilometres downstream into Hungary. But this was just the tip of the iceberg. In the last few months alone, there have been three spills in Africa and China."

"Here in Australia, we are in no way immune from gold mining's devastating impacts on human and environmental health. Contaminated wastewater from a storm pond at the Timbarra gold mine near Tenterfield overflowed into the surrounding forest and streams on a number of occasions in early 2001, despite repeated claims by the NSW Government that the mine was world-class standards. The heap leach pads at Timbarra have slumped and the mine site is considered a disgrace even by the mining industry itself.

“We must stop the Lake Cowal gold mine project before it is too late." Ms Rosenhek said.

For media information: Ruth Rosenhek, Rainforest Information Centre 02 6621 3294
Adam Young, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, 0421 048 301

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AEDT - January 23, 2002

An Aboriginal leader has told the Land and Environment Court that mining exploration at Lake Cowal, in New South Wales' central west, is tearing at the sacred fabric of his homeland.

Neville Williams, who heads the Mooka Traditional Owners' Council, has asked the court to halt the exploration. Mr Williams argues the exploration work is endangering Aboriginal relics and sacred sights. He has also complained that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has not addressed his concerns adequately, that it
has moved artefacts without consultation and should not have let the mining company resume exploration before finishing its inspections.

The mining company, Homestake, says it acted responsibly by halting operations after Mr Williams contacted them with their concerns so inspections could be done. It says it has adopted a protocol to protect Aboriginal heritage and will lose $18,000 a day if forced to shut down again.

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From AAP - 23jan02

Indigenous owners veto mine

A GROUP of traditional Aboriginal land owners is seeking to stop a mining company conducting explorations on sacred land in NSW's
central west. The Mooka Traditional Owners Council is seeking an injunction in the NSW Land and Environment Court to restrain mining company Homestake Australia Limited from drilling on land at Lake Cowal. Council chairman Neville Williams said the current exploratory activity taking place was destroying the land.

Lake Cowal is the largest lake in NSW and lies 47km north-east of West Wyalong, on Wiradjuri country.

Mr Williams' representative, Alan Oshlack, said there were a number of rare stone artefacts - including stone hammers and axes - scattered across the site, as well as a "scarred" or marked rivergum tree. These artefacts lay in a registered site about 500m by 100m, known as P1, where three proposed drilling sites had been pegged out by Homestake, he said.

Mr Oshlack said the drilling rigs on the site were breaking up the ground and destroying the artefacts.

"They are tearing up the very fabric of the sacred land," he told the court.

The court heard Mr Williams first raised concerns over Homestake's explorations earlier this month.

Homestake subsequently ceased operations on January 16 and 17, allowing National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) officers, including an archaeologist, to inspect the area.

In court today, NPWS representative Elizabeth Glancey said there was another group of officers currently inspecting P1 and the land
surrounding it. She said one of the proposed drilling sites in P1 had two stone artefacts nearby.

"These artefacts were yesterday relocated away from the pegs," Ms Glancey said.

Mr Oshlack said this was the first he or his client had heard about any further inspections, and were angered that the NPWS had moved a number of artefacts without their consultation. He said he was seeking an injunction of Homestake's operations until the current NPWS inspections had been completed and a report was brought before the court.

Counsel for Homestake, Mark Brennan, said the company had acted responsibly by ceasing operations for two days earlier in the month when the concerns were first raised by Mr Williams.

"There has been no offence... committed by my client," he told the court.

"In addition, if my client continues to carry out explorations on (the land)... is it said that no offence will be committed in the future?"

Mr Brennan said Homestake would lose $18,000 for each day of stalled operations.

The hearing continues before Judge Neal Bignold.

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COALITION TO PROTECT LAKE COWAL

Our mission is to protect Lake Cowal/The Bland by strengthening environmental protection for the region. We will work to stop the Lake Cowal Gold Mine Project as well as any other large scale extraction projects at this site.

MEMBERS

Friends of the Earth – Australia
Nature Conservation Council (Sydney)
Central West Branch TWS (Orange)
Mineral Policy Institute (Sydney)
The Greens NSW (Sydney)
Rainforest Information (Centre Lismore)
Central West Environment Council -
Nimbin Environment Centre (Nimbin)
Peacebus.com
Mooka Traditional Owners Council Inc.
Humane Society International – Australia
Timbarra Café/ Timbarra Action Group
Clarence Environment Centre (Grafton)
Birds Australia
Mission Beach Environmental Management Group Inc. (Queensland)
Big Scrub (Lismore)
The Coalition to End Open Cut Gold Mining - Victoria
SOS Bergama Collective, (Sydney, NSW)
Mudgee District Environment Group (Mudgee, NSW)
Albury Wodonga Environment Centre
Western Region Environment Centre (Werribee, Melbourne, Victoria)

SUPPORTERS

Midwest Treaty Network (Wisconsin)
Coecoceiba-Friends of the Earth Costa Rica - Isaac Rojas
Project Underground – (California)
Global Response - (Colorado)
The Committee for Struggle against Gold Mining in Halkidiki, Greece
WOLF Forest Protection Movement (Slovakia)
Green Perspective Foundation (Slovakia)
Groundwork – Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
JATAM -Indonesian Mining Advocacy Network
Friends of the Earth International's Campaign on the Environmental and
Social Impacts of Mining - Gabriel Rivas-Ducca
IUCN Sri Lanka
Institute for the Protection of Nature of Serbia
PROVITA (Caracas, Venezuela)
Earth Justice Movement (South Africa)
Cloud Forest Institute, California/Instituto del Bosque Nublado, Ecuador
Australian Special Interest Tours – (Sydney, NSW)
Ecology North – (Yellowknife, Northern Territories, Canada)
Ukrainian Birdwatching Centre (Ukraine)
University of the West Indies Biological Society, Trinidad & Tobago
The Azov-Black Sea Ornithological Station
Western-Ukrainian Ornithological Station
Western Branch of the Ukrainian Ornithological Society
The Benedykt Dybowsky Zoological Museum, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
WWF Bolivia
SAPAD SENEGAL, Fagaru Centre
Native Forest Network Southern Hemisphere (Tasmania)
Environment Centre of the Northern Territory (Australia)
Capricorn Conservation Council (Queensland, Australia)
Rainforest Concern (United Kingdom/Ecuador)
Second Edition – Books and Clothing (Pambula, NSW, Australia)
Sustainable Ecological Alternatives for Living (Kinmount, ON, Canada)
Sierra Club of Canada
Workshop for All Beings – Poland
Gesellschaft fuer bedrohte Voelker / Society for Threatened Peoples – Germany
E. F Schumacher Society – Germany
Commonground – Victoria, Australia
Altai regional Public Fund For the 21st Century
Ecology Action Sydney, Australia
ECOS RIOPLATENSES A.C., (Argentina)
Mirrilingki Spirituality Centre, (Warmun, West Australia)
Mines,Minerals & PEOPLE (India)
Earthlights IRC Network (New Zealand)
Friends of Kapululangu Women's Law & Culture Centre (Northcote, VI, Australia)
NGO Environmental Watch Group, PNG

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