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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? Chip in $1Chip in another amount 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? Chip in $1Chip in another amount 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. Chip in $1Chip in another amount  Thanks for all that you do, More information: Barrick Gold under fire by UN for toxic spills from Veladero mine in Argentina, Financial Post, 17 November 2022. Water contamination at Barrick’s Veladero mine threatens health and human rights, Mining Watch Canada, 2 December 2022. Timeline of spills and resistance at Barrick Gold’s Veladero mine in Argentina, Mining Watch Canada, retrieved 6 February 2023. Asamblea Jáchal no se toca, (in Spanish) retrieved 6 February 2023. |
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