[ [link removed] ]The Veladero gold mine in Argentina
John,
Communities in northwestern Argentina are desperate — their water is
undrinkable. Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold has repeatedly poured
millions of liters of mercury and cyanide-contaminated water into their
rivers poisoning their water supply.
But instead of cleaning up its act, the company is moving ahead with plans
to EXPAND its mining project and extend it for another 10 years!
Local organizers have filed a lawsuit to stop more spills from the
Veladero Mine by holding those responsible accountable. They found a great
lawyer, but they need help to cover travel to Buenos Aires and trial
expenses during the month-long hearings.
Their trial date is just around the corner… Can you chip in to help this
small community beat one of the biggest mining companies in the world —
and clean up their water?
[ [link removed] ]Chip in
$1[ [link removed] ]Chip
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Barrick Gold is responsible for the worst mining disaster in Argentina's
history. In 2015 it spilled millions of liters of cyanide into five
rivers. Instead of sounding the alarm, the company stayed silent. The
local community finally learned about the spill from a WhatsApp message!
But Barrick still denied the spill for days before finally coming clean.
Eventually, the company was fined for the damage — but the spills have
continued. There have been FOUR MORE since!
Water samples from the latest spill in 2022 found the highest levels of
heavy metal contamination yet, with arsenic levels 33 times higher than
World Health Organization standards for safe human consumption, lead
levels 16 times higher, and aluminum levels a shocking 485 times higher
than what’s safe!
Local community organization Asamblea Jáchal No Se Toca has been trying to
hold Barrick Gold and the Government of Argentina to account for years,
and now their trial date is just around the corner.
If they win, it will set an important precedent forcing the government to
recognize that this mining company is in violation of Mining laws. And
once this violation is legally recognized, they will have no choice but to
close down the mine, for good.
Let’s make it happen. Can you chip in to help?
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$1[ [link removed] ]Chip
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Barrick Gold’s dangerous business practices aren’t limited to Argentina.
In the Dominican Republic, communities near its mine have reported major
health issues as a result of contamination caused by its waste disposal.
And in Tanzania, an Indigenous community has filed a lawsuit accusing the
company of police violence, killings, and torture at the company’s North
Mara Gold Mine.
Now’s our chance to finally hold this dangerous company to account and
fight to protect people’s right to clean water in Argentina and beyond.
Let’s do it.
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$1[ [link removed] ]Chip
in another amount
P.S. John, SumOfUs has changed its name to Ekō. Help us
avoid ending up in spam and mark this email as safe.
Thanks for all that you do,
Lacey and the Ekō team
---------------------------------
More information:
[ [link removed] ]Barrick Gold under fire by UN for toxic spills from Veladero mine in
Argentina, Financial Post, 17 November 2022.
[ [link removed] ]Water contamination at Barrick’s Veladero mine threatens health and
human rights, Mining Watch Canada, 2 December 2022.
[ [link removed] ]Timeline of spills and resistance at Barrick Gold’s Veladero mine in
Argentina, Mining Watch Canada, retrieved 6 February 2023.
[ [link removed] ]Asamblea Jáchal no se toca, (in Spanish) retrieved 6 February 2023.
Ekō is a worldwide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.
Please help keep Ekō strong by chipping in $3. [link removed]
