Yesterday the NSW Land and Environment Court handed down a decision in favour of Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Chappy Williams, with
an injunction restraining the NSW Minister of Planning from determining the E42 Modification Request for the proposed expansion of Barrick Gold’s mine in Lake Cowal.

“We are very pleased with the result”, stated Mr. Williams, “We have been fighting against the world’s largest gold mining company, Barrick Gold, for nearly 10 years, we will continue to fight until we get justice. Barrick Gold has ridden shot gun over our this ecologically significant and sacred land for far too long. “

“We are also concerned about ongoing pit wall slippages and the incredible increase of water use that would come with the proposed mine expansion.”

Last year Mr. Williams made the journey to the Seventh Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York to put his recommendations forward about the human rights and environmental concerns of Barrick Gold’s operation in Lake Cowal. This was part of a delegation of Indigenous Leaders from Papua New Guinea, Chile and the United States who voiced their concerns at Barrick Gold’s shareholder meeting in Toronto, Canada.

The judgement can be accessed at: Williams v Minister for Planning [2009] NSWLEC 5

For more info:
Neville Chappy Williams, Mooka/Kalara United Families within the
Wiradjuri Nation, Lake Cowal
0447 841 560

Al Oshlack, Indigenous Justice Advocacy Network
0415 140 410
www.protestbarrick. net