Pascua Lama: Strong signal to start the Barrick mine The founder of the firm, Peter Munk,

Pascua Lama: Strong signal to start the Barrick mine
The founder of the firm, Peter Munk, met yesterday with the president, 1 hours and Gioja. The outcome is imminent.

FRom
SILVINA PESTARINO Y ELIZABETH PÉREZ - DIARIO DE CUYO

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=337304

It was an unprecedented meeting. And heavy weights on the one hand, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, on the other, no less than the maximum founder and chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation, Peter Munk. It was the first time the octogenarian businessman came to the country to meet with the president to talk about the gold mine Pascua Lama Binational located half in San Juan, half in the Third Region of Chile.

Its onset is awaited with great expectation, the mine is the largest in Latin America and will mean an investment of more than U $ S 3,000 million, and apparently yesterday's meeting left more signs that the outcome will be in imminent " I think we will soon have good news, "slipped briefly Gioja.

Officially, the governor told Gioja leaving Casa Rosada who spoke of the characteristics of the enterprise that Cristina was known with certainty, the potential for the region, the tasks that were made from San Juan in time to prevent the initiative is Only the Chilean side and work sharing in commissions and committees to agree on next steps. "What is to expedite the project," said the governor.

And Barrick merely state that the meeting "is part of the meetings with our company has been carrying for some time in both Chile and Argentina, said in a statement Rodrigo Jimenez, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Barrick.

But undoubtedly, the owner of Barrick with the top executives of the company have traveled to the Casa Rosada to discuss the project is a clear signal of its imminent commencement.

Munk came to the meeting held at 19.30 at the Government House argentina, the chairman and chief executive Aaron Regent, who made it a surprise visit to San Juan last February (see page 3) -, the senior vice president Corporate Affairs Dushnisky Kelvin, and the agent in Buenos Aires, Hernan Zaballa.

According to the governor Gioja course, was to achieve the explicit support of central government to the project: There was talk of the investment costs at a time where there is a deep economic crisis and the international differences in tax matters that have slowed the start of the project . Not to mention the criticism that the project raises environmental, although the impact studies were approved in both jurisdictions.

The governor revealed Gioja then they are going to find players with President Bachelet in Chile, next week.

But the truth is that what transpired is paid in February here in San Juan: That will be announced the commencement this month to begin work in September. And the latter is that if the notice is made in San Juan and Buenos Aires, in this case the presence of President Cristina Kirchner or perhaps together in Chile and Argentina.

Yesterday, also attended the meeting were Minister of Planning Julio De Vido, the National Secretary of Mining, Jorge Mayoral and the Minister of Production, Débora Giorgi.

Gioja will meet today with Cristina for Pascua-Lama

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=337155

GOVERNMENT OF SAN JUAN
San Juan, April 14 .-

The governor of the province Jose Luis Gioja travel to Buenos Aires which today hold a meeting with the president of the National Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, and directors of the company Barrick Gold, on the Easter theme Lama. This was announced at the end of the presentation ceremony of the Provincial Technology Fund to be held this morning at the Ricardo Sala Colombo.

"Despite the doubts that arise, we insist that visit San Juan," the provincial chief executive to report on its upcoming trip to Buenos Aires to meet with the president of the Nation and directors of Barrick Gold to discuss the progress in binational mining project. "I know the issues to be addressed" Gioja said, "but sure to be minor issues in terms of the magnitude of the project, the amount of people going to work there, and depending on the impact the project will have on the region, I'm talking about the third region of Chile and the Province of San Juan. "

In addition, the governor noted that the directors of Barrick will have a similar interview with President Bachelet.


(Original article in spanish below)

Gioja se reunirá hoy con Cristina por Pascua-Lama

Así lo informó el Gobernador al finalizar el acto de presentación del Fondo Tecnológico Provincial. "A pesar de las dudas que algunos plantean, nosotros insistimos que visiten San Juan", dijo.
GOBIERNO DE SAN JUAN
San Juan, 14 de abril.- El gobernador de la provincia ingeniero José Luis Gioja viajará hoy a Capital Federal donde mantendrá una reunión con la presidenta de la Nación, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, y directivos de la empresa Barrick Gold, por el tema Pascua–Lama. Así lo informó al finalizar el acto de presentación del Fondo Tecnológico Provincial que se realizó esta mañana, en la Sala Ricardo Colombo.

“A pesar de las dudas que algunos plantean, nosotros insistimos que visiten San Juan”, dijo el primer mandatario provincial al informar sobre su inminente viaje a Capital Federal para reunirse con la presidenta de la Nación y directivos de Barrick Gold para hablar de los avances en el proyecto binacional minero. “No conozco el temario a tratar” afirmó Gioja, “pero seguramente serán temas menores en función de la magnitud del proyecto, de la cantidad de gente que va a trabajar allí y en función del impacto que el proyecto va a tener en la región, estoy hablando de la III región de Chile y la provincia de San Juan”.

Además, el gobernador señaló que los directivos de Barrick tendrán una entrevista similar con la presidenta Bachelet.

Arguing a "possible attack", the multinational executives down to 20 minutes of Pascua Lama forum:

Arguing a "possible attack", the multinational executives down to 20 minutes of Pascua Lama forum:
The chair was never empty Barrick
(By Javier Karmy)
translated from original spanish article


Barrick demanded a forum without the press, other than a parking lot, side access to the auditorium, a security officer for the executive to remove any banner or canvas, and present in second place, leaving the other to criticize before they submit the project. Despite all these assurances worthy of a ruler, the largest multinational mining gold withdrew discuss. The empty chair of the forum said it all.

Due to the presence of opponents of the flagship project of the binational Canadian Barrick Gold and the large number of media covering the event, executives of transnational stopped participating in a debate organized by five students in Commercial Engineering from the University Adolfo Ibáñez as an essential part of the course Entrepreneurship Workshop.

It was supposed to be a forum on the Pascua Lama project where Barrick Gold is to explain your project worldwide star and to discuss with them the religious Cristina Hoar, Servant of the Holy Spirit and the director of the Latin American Observatory of Environmental Conflicts (OLCA), Lucio Cuenca. Both were escorted to the communities of the Valle del Huasco in the region of Atacama, during all these years of conflict with the transnational.

However, a phone call drove overland to discuss, talk to Barrick Gold and express what so many people wanted to tell you long ago. Had argued that the transnational information that environmentalists made a "terrorist attack" against the executive of the multinational.

While demanding a free press forum, other than a parking lot, side access to the auditorium, a security officer for the executive, as well as remove any banner or canvas, and present in second place, leaving the other before they criticize submit the project. Despite all these assurances worthy of a ruling that students were willing to grant, the largest multinational mining gold withdrew debate, warning 20 minutes before the scheduled time. The empty chair of the forum said it all.

They fear the truth
Sister Cristina Hoar regretted the situation because "they are" faceless "and said" what Barrick is afraid? Of truth. "
As for Lucio Cuenca "This attitude is usually part of Barrick, as on other occasions they have been invited to discuss but they are not put in places where they do not have full control of the situation." This was the time trial Barrick under the II Social Forum in Chile in November 2006 when Barrick's lawyer apologized to go abroad. In fact, Cuenca reminded that the only time he has discussed with the executive of Barrick was last year at school Manquehue in the context of discussions of the school. "But that was not advertised nor was public," he said.

Elias Musalem, one of the organizers, said obfuscated the term, that the debate was "half" as it "had everything ready and 20 minutes before the forum, Barrick called us saying that he ran because, they said, had information that there would be an attack against them. "
While initially Barrick opened the door leading to the camp by plane Pascua Lama project in the Cordillera of the Third Region of Atacama where they take pictures of the area concerned, today we called and explained the wrinkle-and-college andalusia final exits are worse because of the university students are left with a pure vision and not that of Barrick. "

Musalem explained that "hurts us because we will surely fail the practice of this workshop, but we will seek explanations for Barrick, and that the climb to its corporate website as it is a disrespect, because I doubt the alleged attack, because Chile has not killed people in debates of this kind, "he concluded.

Undoubtedly, much more important than if the teacher decides to approve or not the class to students the importance of this area is that once again has become evident that the darker side of Barrick Gold, which is unable to sit or to discuss, or sit in front of a canvas. So we rescued the voice of the professor who moderated the discussion to mean "Unfortunately, the silence."

Barrick bails out of debate at last minute, again!

Latest News Tuesday, March 24 2009, 13:32 pm Source: Invertia Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez Public debate on Pascua Lama: Minera Barrick cancels at the last minute


Only 20 minutes before they would start the debate, the organizers were notified that the Barrick Gold would not attend the debate. The reasons were lack of security. Jaime Prieto Santelices SANTIAGO, March 24 .-

Students of the University Adolfo Ibáñez, organizers and members of Center for Latin American Environmental Conflicts (OLCA) and Anti-Barrick protestors with banners were left stood up when the Barrick gold company did not show up. Only 20 minutes before they would start the debate they, were notified that the Barrick Gold mining is “withdrew” from the debate. This was explained by the director of OLCA Lucio Cuenca, who expressed annoyance that was not the first time that Canadian Mining Company cancel to participate in a public debate about Pascua Lama, adding that “It its quite irresponsible not appear here to defend their views and opinions. They have never had willingness to discuss openly and we drew attention to the world have agreed to this forum. ” According to which Cuenca, 20 minutes before the organizers received a call in which the company reported that “there were no guarantees and that it was withdrawing. People claimed that the University had a commitment to attend.This has also happened in a lot of other opportunities that Barrick has refused to discuss openly with those who have a different opinion to them. ” The debate to be held in one of the main auditorium of the hall was called , “Exploiting the gold in Chile breaks the ecosystem? Truth or Lie?” and with the participation of OLCA as Barrick and exhibitors. According to Cuena, Rodrigo Rivas, who is responsible for communications for Latin America was expected to attend .As was Guillermo Rolando Jefe Responsabilidad Social Empresarial Barrick Sudamérica. A unnamed source had said that one of the Barrick invited was preparing to leave when he got a phone call from his superior to say not to attend the debate, he disagreed but had to follow orders. The company, adding that ” We were not aware that we would not have the final word in the debate , that was imposed as a condition for coming. Lucio Cuenca replied, “That is not logical because it is a debate and that is left to the organizers to draw order “. This also happened again when Barrick spoek in Toronto, Canada during the Governemnt Roundtables on the Extractive industry meetings. Prior to the beginning of the Roundtable council person Luis Faura was to follow Barrick lawyer and represenative Jose Antonio Urrutia. The day of the presentation the order was switched and Luis Faura spoke first while Jose Antonio urrutia was able to refute his and Lucio statements by speaking last and have the last word. Back in October two representatives from Barrick travel to Copiapo to meet with Bishop Don Gaspar for a meeting to explain all the good work the company has been doing with the community and how they could make improvements on some of their mistakes. The representatives there also stated they were willing to meet openly with the community both for and against the Pascua Lama project to discuss their concerns they have with the project in an open forum. This promise of a future meeting and transparency was made to a Bishop and again it shows the lack of credibility and misleading statements they would make. Currently, Barrick Gold is the biggest producer of gold in the world and is in negotiations with the government of Argentina and Chile to seek agreement on the payment and amount of taxes that will mega gold. The company expects to reduce the cost of U.S. $ 2,700 million and reach agreement with authorities. Earlier this month, the chief executive of Barrick, Aaron Regent, argued that “only are a handful of outstanding issues to be defined with Argentina and Chile. ” Pascua Lama, one of the biggest gold projects, with 18 million ounces of gold in the Andes on the boundary between both countries, but just has not progressed because of the tax dispute. If there is a decision this year, production would begin in late 2012 or early 2013.

Barrick CEO vists Argentina for secret meetings

VIVIANA PASTOR - DIARIO DE CUYO
FEB 27 2009

http://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/home/new_noticia.php?noticia_id=329842

The number one came to define Barrick Pascua Lama
With your new suit CEO, Aaron Regent was almost 4 hours together with Governor José Luis Gioja. A strong gesture to begin with.
VIVIANA PASTOR - DIARY OF WHICH
Never had fallen to South America from the base of operations in Toronto. The plane left the company yesterday to Aaron Regent (43), highest worldwide Barrick, early in San Juan. Had a long and secret reunion with Governor Gioja and returned to Vancouver. Why? Protocol is said he came to present his compliments, but nobody makes such a journey and in the midst of a heavy silence, for that. Industry sources indicated that they gave the last stitch to the announcement of the start of operations for the largest gold mine in South America, whose decision to start is almost taken.

At least the trip was a lightning strong signal that things are going well and it was well beyond both the government and from the company, although neither the governor nor the executive of the company referred the matter in public.

At 12.45 the delegation of Barrick came to Government House in three cars Remise, so as not to attract attention. For the first time the faces were the new President and CEO of Barrick, Aaron Regent, and the governor José Luis Gioja.

In the morning the reunion was handled with extreme secrecy, and even had different versions concerning the timetable, the government and from Barrick repeatedly that he wanted him to share media, but had two early in guarding Government House and were warned that they could not come to mingle with the Regent, which Gioja not talk and could not bring the photographers.

Positioned at the side of the courtyard, in the governor's private, there were 15.40 when they saw the departure of men and Barrick Gioja all very smiling, there were greetings at the door and there he took photos that were published today . That until a governor's secretary came to ask the guards not to let police take pictures of the print media who were there.

Both hermeticism could not be simple greetings protocol, as indicated by the afternoon the government releases and expressions of the people of Barrick.

From Canada, Regent came to San Juan only to wind up with issues related to Gioja Pascua Lama. Hence the importance of meeting and the mystique that surrounded him. A fact no less important was the presence at the reunion of the project manager Ron Kettles.

High-level sources said that this was the main reason why the couple came to see Regent Gioja. According to what transpired, were spinning fine together to define the official announcement of the start of Pascua Lama, which would be next April, to start construction in September. The question is whether it will be in San Juan and Buenos Aires, in this case the presence of President Cristina Kirchner, or perhaps in concert in Chile and Argentina.

It seems that this time would be given all the conditions for the project to start next September, when waiting on the same date in 2007 and 2008 but was delayed by the delay of permits and sectoral tax definitions.

It is not just what is at stake, it is the largest gold exploration projects in South America with an investment of more than 3,000 million dollars, although this figure will be updated by the mining in the third quarter.

Besides the governor attended the reunion, the Secretary of Mines of the Province, Felipe Saavedra, and in addition to Barrick and its CEO said Ron Kettles, Kelvin Dusniski, Julio Hernan Claudeville and Zabala.

Chile, Argentina nearing Pascua Lama tax deal

According to a recent Reuters story Jan 29 (Reuters) "Chile, Argentina nearing Pascua Lama tax deal"authorities in Chile and Argentina are very close to reaching a tax agreement that would allow miner Barrick Gold (ABX.TO) to start work on one of the world's largest gold projects, the Pascua Lama Project , a government minister told Reuters on Thursday.

The Pascua Lama Project located in northern border of Chile and Argentina was the world's largest mega-gold find , after the Cerro Caslle project in the Copiapo area. It is located about 5,000 meters in altitude is currently the largest never open gold mine with a treasure of some 18 million ounces of gold .

The project, owned by Canada's Barrick Gold Corp (ABX.TO), overcame years of environmental challenges after Barrick agreed to leave nearby glaciers untouched. The project previously has been mired in years of delays due to low gold prices in 2000-2003 after the first SEIA study, a 2nd environmental study in 2004 that were suppose to relocate 3 glaciers (ice deposits) , as well as Supreme Court with a disgruntled miner Rodolfo Villar who’s case to this day also stalled the project .

The latest delay has been because of ongoing tax dispute between the host countries and discussing how to tax what they call transborder services, or services rendered by individual companies on either side of the border. As 80% of the gold is located on the Chilean side and 20% of the mineral on the Argentina side.

Mine construction in the Andes mountains of Chile do have a narrow window of opportunity , according to Henry Martinez of Barrick Gold, “the mining season to travel to Pascua Lama is between September 15 through end of March in some very warm years you can go there as late as did April". Construction is already years behind schedule since being approved in Chile and Argentina in 2006.

Sergio Gonzalez Minister of Mining said Barrick has not given Chile and Argentina a deadline to reach a deal. Even after over two years since the project was approved by the governments by both countries.

However in Sept of 2007 during a presentation at Icare when the project was said to begin construction that Fall ,the Canadian multinational Barrick Gold, could begin to be built only in Chile, following the lack of agreement with Argentina on the tax structure would the site., " Pascua Lama has all environmental permits approved , therefore, from that standpoint, in Chile in a position to start the project if they so wish, and so agree as a company," said Gonzalez said to reporters.


However this is also not true as all permits in Chile are not 100% ready according to Placdio Avilia Comana in the 3rd Region of Chile. A letter from Lucio Cuenca of OLCA was sent to him regarding as many as 14 permits in Chile that are not ready. “
If they were do this project in Chile only they would have to enter the Environmental Impact Study again. says Placido Avila.






Another major issue as to why they can not do this project in Chile only as the minister has said according to Fernando Gray, “The water , Barrick doesn’t have enough water to do this project in Chile only. They would need about 600l/s for the water treatment plant for its use in Chile, the 40- 50 l/s that Conama and company has always said they will use , however according to Gray that is only for the part of Extration: the Pascua camp , for the roads . That it was why they move the treatment plant to Argentina because they have the water”. Fernando Gray is the former President of La Junta de Viglencia of the Hausco Valley during 1992-2004 who was part of the 8 direcotrs who signed the initial $60 million protocol with Barrick and is very familiar with the history of the Barrick Gold Company in the Hausco valley.

Another small aspect that has not been discussed in the media is that Environmental agreements in Argentina eventually expire if the project has not begun or started construction unlike Chile ‘s Environmental agreement . The agreement signed by Barrick and the Argentina government authorities on Feb 15, 2006 has expired after Dec 31, 2008 so this would also require another SEIA study in Argentina further delaying the project according to Luis Faura former concillor of Alto Del Carmen.


However in a letter from Lucio Cuenca of OLCA was sent to Placdio Avilia of Comana of the 3rd Region of Chile regarding as many as 11 sectorial permits in Chile that are not not ready and the project for this reason can also not begin . “ A majority of the 11 permits are completed or advanced”. One such example is the bypass in the area of Alto del Carmen needs to be constructed before the construction of the project.


"Imagine walking away from a major gold mine at this time," he said. "They have neither postponed nor put a deadline on this project." Barrick Gold Chairman told Reuters at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos he expected prices for the metal to hit new record highs, spurred by serious concern about the U.S. currency and doubt about the state of the world economy.


"There will most likely be a deal very soon," Mine Minister Santiago Gonzalez said in an interview. "Progress is being made and there could be a happy ending very soon."s

What is clear with all these and many more issues not mentioned the project is still many years away from if ever begin construction.

Conversation with Micheal Hesing

(response to Santiago Times article)

Study: Chile losing its glaciers

http://www.patagoniatimes.cl/index.php/20090122728/News/Environment/STUDY-CHILE-IS-LOSING-ITS-GLACIERS.html

IN ENGLISH

What leaves me in this article is true, or more or less true. This is a fairly early stage of fighting for Pascua Lama in 2005.

When I visited the project, I took some pictures of "glaciers" El Toro 1 and 2 and Hope. In these photos can be seen that the "ice" Hope has an obvious impact of dust and there are also tracks for heavy machinery over this mass of ice. In fact, I handed these photos to the press and came across Chile and in part by the world. (I attached photos).

Having recorded this with my camera, I began to investigate, asking questions really "dumb" to the people of Barrick, but the field staff. Well, finally gets to know that the work done Barrick operating in ice, means that drilled in the ice mass of Hope. In addition I found a table in the casino of Barrick, the Barriales camp, where there was just the drill at the Hope. Well much to ask, this table disappeared quickly from the wall of the casino and then publicly denied that Barrick has gotten boring in Hope. The effects of ice on the surface were evident, as you can see from the photos attached.

However it is not, as the article says that Barrick "solid material deposited on top of the glacier," but noted that the dust was the result of activities related to exploration work.

In the famous meeting with the commission of the environment, the chamber of deputies, the debate was put together on the issue whether or not Barrick was involved ice, which the representatives of the company flatly refused. Finally I asked the legislators to me if I consist of an intervention by the ice Barrick. Obviously he knew of the involvement of ice, because the photos that sparked the fight in Chile were all mine. Therefore my collection of photos relating to the issue to the committee, which triggered a strong displeasure at Barrick. (Of course, that at this point is simply not told the truth).

I think about my article is appointed clarifying some details:

1 .- As I said, I did not say that Barrick "solid material deposited on top of the Hope, that is simply not the case.

2 .- Following these developments, glaciologists, both on the side of Barrick (Canada) and the side of the Supervisory Board of the Rio Huasco (two Frenchmen and an Argentinian) unanimously determined that in the case of Toro 1 , Toro 2 and Esperanza is relictual ice that formed in ancient times only a glacier, but today it no longer meets the minimum requirements to be called "glaciers." Especially for the loss of mass and not enough ice plasticity that allows the movement that characterizes the true glaciers. Together with this lost their accumulation and ablation zones. Accordingly to the above, the glaciologists determined that the contribution of the mass of ice water in andalusia negligible. It should be clarified in this context that while the impact of dust and ice drilling above may adversely affect the albedo and the conservation of ice, is clearly not the fault of Barrick, which today These three mass of ice and glaciers are not. This process is too slow to link it with Barrick.

3 .- The above is not contradictory with the fact that nearby Pascua Lama project has two glaciers outside of the direct influence of the project, or the Straits and the Yellow Guanaco. Both have movement, accumulation and ablation areas well defined and significant troop flows, as you can see from the photos attached.

4 .- The Barrick is impacting the waters of the farmers is stupid, because the project is not working and not even started construction. Therefore there are no tanks or rajos sterile, which can generate acid drainage. Strong generation of acid drainage in the mineralized zone of the emerging River Strait is absolutely natural (so far!) And there ever since. Sanitas as water, crystal and so on. etc. from glaciers, evoking environmentalists, are a myth. At least there is this water that was installed before the first farmer in the valley, as it is in process of geological time. I think it gives you when you were in Chile, to all the information you can check everything yourself.

Well, that about the old days. Currently Barrick submitted a Limestone Mining Project, located near Pascua Lama. The end of the project is to produce calcium Pascua Lama inputs required in the plant leaching of gold (cyanidation), since the process requires an alkaline environment. Moreover they could also be used to plant HDS, which neutralizes the acid water tank sterile. (In the background that raises the pH to precipitate metals).

The Barrick was sufficiently "side stick" to enter the Project Evaluation System as a declaration and not a study. That there is not even participation. The worst thing is that it seems that the services they want to tolerate this state of Barrick.

Furthermore I believe it is legally questionable whether they can super-boot with a DIA and no more.

One detail that Barrick is also not ruled out the use of hazardous waste, pet coke as fuel in lime kilns. Besides threatening wetland flora and fauna conservation problems and so on. etc ....

And what you think, where environmentalists are our friends? Just do not appear. Well, it seems Pascua Lama became fashionable. I took, of course, the "nuisance" to observe the project for a group of irrigators.

Currently, this presented another Mega Mining Project "El Morro" in the Huasco Valley. I was hired back as an adviser to the Supervisory Board Huasco River. This project is in full time and still do not know that we will "make clean".

IN SPANISH

Lo que sale de mi en este articulo es cierto, o mas o menos cierto. Este hecho corresponde a una fase bastante temprana de las peleas por Pascua Lama en el año 2005.

Cuando visité el proyecto, tomé algunas fotos de los “glaciares” El Toro 1 y 2 y Esperanza. En estas fotos se puede apreciar, que el “glaciar” Esperanza tiene un evidente impacto de polvos y además existen huellas para maquinaria pesada encima de esta masa de hielo. De hecho, yo entregue estas fotos a la prensa y así salieron por todo Chile y en parte por el mundo. (Te adjunto las fotos).

Después de haber registrado esto con mi cámara, empecé a investigar, en realidad haciendo preguntas “tontas” a la misma gente de la Barrick, pero al personal de terreno. Bueno, finalmente llegue a saber que la Barrick realizaba trabajos de explotación en estos hielos, quiere decir, que perforó en la masa de hielo del Esperanza. Además encontré un cuadro en el casino de la Barrick, en el campamento Barriales, donde se apreciaba justamente las perforadoras en el Esperanza. Bueno de tanto preguntar, desapareció rápidamente este cuadro de la pared del casino y posteriormente la Barrick negó públicamente que ha metido perforadoras en el Esperanza. Los efectos en la superficie del hielo eran evidentes, como tú puedes apreciar en las fotos adjuntas.

De todas maneras no es así, como dice el artículo, que la Barrick “depositó material sólido encima del glaciar”, si no el polvo que se observa era consecuencia de las actividades relacionadas a trabajos de exploración.

En la famosa reunión con la comisión del medio ambiente, de la cámara de diputados, se armó el debate sobre el tema si la Barrick ha intervenido o no hielos, hecho que los representantes de la empresa negaron rotundamente. Finalmente me preguntaron los legisladores a mi si me constará una intervención de hielos por parte de la Barrick. Lógicamente sabía de la intervención de los hielos, dado que las fotos que encendieron esta pelea en todo Chile eran mías. En consecuencia presenté mi colección completa de fotos relacionadas al tema a la comisión, lo que desató un fuerte disgusto en la Barrick. (Claro, por que en este momento simplemente no dijeron la verdad).

Creo que al respecto del artículo que me nombra hay que aclara algunos detalles:

1.- Como ya he expresado, no dije que la Barrick “depositó material sólido encima del Esperanza, por que simplemente no es así.

2.- Posteriormente a estos hechos, los glaciólogos, tanto del lado de la Barrick (canadienses) como del lado de la Junta de Vigilancia del Río Huasco (un argentino y dos franceses) determinaron en forma unánime, que en el caso del Toro 1, Toro 2 y Esperanza se trata de hielos relictos, que formaron en tiempos remotos un solo glaciar, pero hoy en día ya no reúnen las condiciones mínimas para poder ser denominados “glaciares”. En especial por su pérdida de masa ya no alcanzan la plasticidad del hielo que permite el movimiento que caracteriza a los verdaderos glaciares. Junto a esto perdieron sus zonas de acumulación y ablación. En consecuencia a lo expresado anteriormente, los glaciólogos determinaron que el aporte de estas masa de hielo al recurso hídrico en insignificante. Se debe aclarar en este contexto, que si bien un impacto de polvo y otro de perforaciones encima de los hielos pueden influir negativamente en el albedo y en la conservación de las masas de hielo, claramente no es culpa de la Barrick, que hoy en día estas tres masa de hielo ya no son glaciares. Este proceso es demasiado lento para vincularlo con la Barrick.

3.- Lo expuesto anteriormente no es contradictorio con el hecho que en cercanía del Proyecto Pascua Lama existen dos glaciares, fuera del área de influencia directa del Proyecto, el Estrecho o Amarillo y el Guanaco. Ambos tienen movimiento, zonas de acumulación y ablación bien definidas y además aportan caudales significantes, como puedes apreciar en las fotos que adjunté.

4.- Que la Barrick esta impactando las aguas de los agricultores es una estupidez, dado que el Proyecto no esta operando y ni siquiera comenzó su construcción. En consecuencia no existen rajos o depósitos de estériles, que pueden generar drenaje ácido. La fuerte generación de drenaje ácido en la zona mineralizada de la naciente del Río Estrecho es absolutamente natural (hasta ahora!) y existe desde siempre. Las aguas tan sanitas, cristalinas etc. etc. provenientes de los glaciares, que evocan los ambientalistas, son un mito. Por lo menos esta agua no existe desde antes que se instaló el primer agricultor en el valle, dado que se trata de proceso en tiempos geológicos. Creo que te facilité, cuando estabas en Chile, toda la información para que tu puedes comprobar todo tu mismo.

Bueno, esto sobre los viejos tiempos. Actualmente la Barrick presentó un Proyecto Minero de Caliza, ubicado muy cerca de Pascua Lama. El fin del Proyecto es producir insumos cálcicos para Pascua Lama, requeridos, en la en la planta de lixiviación de oro (cianuración), dado que el proceso requiere un ambiente alcalino. Además les podría servir también para la Planta HDS, que neutraliza las aguas ácidas del depósito de estériles. (En el fondo se sube el pH hasta que precipitan los metales).

La Barrick era suficientemente “cara de palo” para ingresar este Proyecto al Sistema de Evaluación como declaración y no como Estudio. Con esto no existe ni siquiera participación ciudadana. Lo peor es que parece que los servicios estatales quieren tolerar esto a la Barrick.

Además a mi juicio es legalmente súper cuestionable si pueden arrancar con una D.I.A. así no mas.

Un detalle es también que la Barrick no descarta el uso del residuo peligroso, pet coke, como combustible en los hornos de cal. A parte amenazan humedales con flora y fauna con problemas de conservación etc. etc….

¿Y que crees tú, donde están nuestros amigos ambientalistas? Simplemente no aparecen. Bueno, parece Pascua Lama pasó de moda. Me tomé, por supuesto, la “molestia “, de observar el Proyecto para un grupo de regantes.

Actualmente esta presentado otro Mega Proyecto Minero “El Morro” en el Valle de Huasco. Me contrataron nuevamente como asesora del La Junta de Vigilancia del Río Huasco. Este Proyecto esta en el momento en pleno desarrollo y todavía no se sabe que vamos a “sacar en limpio”.

Michaela

Bi-National Trato-Minero backstory

Barrick Lawyer Jose Antonio Urrutia


Director Extend Pilar Velasco



Sergio Harpa


Ex Senador (DC) Jorge Lavendero

The lobby of the Barrick Gold to exploit Pascua-Lama

The its is the lobbying by the Barrick Gold corporation for the adoption of the Treaty, that would allow the exploitation of gold in the border area of the site known as Pascua Lama. The Mining Integration Treaty between the Republics of Chile and Argentina that is Pascua on the Chilean Side and Lama referring to the Argentina side.
The lawyer for the Mining Company is Jose Antonio Urrutia who was the first lawyer to study environmental law in the US and who also drafted the first environmental laws in Chile.

Senator Jorge Lavendero who headed up the opposition against the transnational issue of companies who do not pay taxes for mining in Chile took up this issue of a Bi National Treaty.

A meeting was set up by then the Communications Company Extend and senior partner Marcelo TRivelli Oyaryun, former mayor of Santiago, invited Jorge Lavendero.

Jorge finally met under the precondition that he attend with his advisors. The meeting was finally held at the restaurant “ La Maison de France “ in Santiago. Attending the meeting were Barrick Lawyer Jose Antonio Urrutia, Lobbyist Marcelo Trivelli and Pilar Velasco of Extend and Sergio Harpa who is now head of Codelco Norte.
During the dinner attorney for Barrick Jose Antonio argument was their knowledge of the Mining Treaty came from the fact that during the nineties, Barrick had found the existence of fundamental legal instruments that enable in optimum conditions to exploit a cross border gold deposit, located in Chile 8o% and 20% in Argentina, which was described as one of the biggest in the word at the time.

Therefore, in the hope of preserving their company not only had maintained for several years, a dialogue (read: lobbying) with the highest administrative and policy of Chile and Argentina to carry out their project, they also had Mining drafted Treaty national. As commented upon leaving and his reunion, the surprising of all this was not just assembling the declaration, the governments of Chile and Argentina, had to sign a treaty that had been conceived and drafted by the transnational, but also this was done to eyes of Congress and domestic public opinion.

In the meantime, Senator Lavandero led the opposition to the treaty in Congress and in the country, toured the country from one extreme to another, alerted workers, their unions, in effect, sought support from the public, in front a state that happily resigned to their sovereignty.

However, the triumph of Barrick and its lobbyists Chileans was short lived as in 2000, the Constitutional Court declared that the Chilean courts have no jurisdiction to grant easements to mineral deposits in Argentina.
What had happened?
13 Senators -Jorge Lavandero Illanes, Fernando Cordero Rusque, Julio Canessa R., Jorge Martínez Busch, Enrique Zurita C., Antonio Horvath K., Rodolfo Stange O., Beltrán Urenda, Jovino Novoa V., Marco Cariola B., Mario Ríos S. Thirteen senators - Jorge Lavandero Illanes, Fernando Cordero Rusque, Julio R. Canessa, Jorge Martinez Busch, Enrique C. Zurita, Antonio Horvath K. Strange Rodolfo O., Beltran Urenda, V. Jovino Novoa, Marco Cariola B., Mario Rios S. y la senadora Evely Matthei F-
Signed an order for unconstitutionally Mining Treaty ,sponsored by the lawyer in July Stuardo Gonzalez. With this opinion pipelines to transport copper Argentina Chilean Ports to the Pacific were viable, the alternative for the Argentina side, towards the Atlantic, meant journey of over 1000 km with which Argentina mining projects were no longer profitable.

This chapter in the history of mining in Chile shows the complex web of influences and corruption that has surrounded the penetration of transnational companies in Chile.
Personeros the same time that a recovery was declared by Chile for copper, used in the Mining Law Constitutional Law 18,097 or mining concessions (January 21 January 1982) issued by the dictatorship to maintain a privileged status to transnational mining: unique! 18,985 law enacted in June 1990, the first of the Tax Reform Coalition, which increased the VAT, but that in practice free of income tax to foreign mining.

The same Act gives the Coalition 19 137, which allows alienate transnational CODELCO deposits that were not in operation, in open contradiction to the DL. 1167 of the military junta which banned the sale of mining concessions CODELCO. . That violated the Coalition against the dictatorship protectionist it had approved the year 1976.

Supreme flaw in a complicated trial that Pascua Lama

Article corresponding to Tuesday December 9, 2008

The high court's opinion confirms that Judge Maria Isabel Reyes had jurisdiction to adjudicate the case that faces the transnational and Rodolfo Villar mineral rights by 8600 hectares.


SANTIAGO, Tuesday 9. A complicated coup received the Nevada Mining Company, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold in Chile, for the implementation of the Pascua Lama project in the Huasco Valley, then to the plenary of the Supreme Court ruled last Friday November 28 in a case linked to the emblematic the engineer who faces trial in mines Rodolfo Villar Garcia, with the Canadian company's capital.

This is the process that weighed on the judge's 14 Civil Court of Santiago, María Isabel Reyes, and First Officer of the same body, Ulises Eagle Bar. Identified as the highest court, the judge shall apply only the disciplinary sanction of censure in writing.

In the same ruling, it states that Reyes had jurisdiction to give the opinion of first instance in 2006, which declared the nullity of the transaction whereby in 1996, Barrick Gold bought the mining rights to 8600 hectares located on Villar in the entrance area to the mega project and the gold that would have paid only $ 10,000, which was then considered laughable by the court.

"Removing the 7th considering the term" lacking - hence - of competition and also taking that Ms Mary Kokisch Isabel Reyes gave ruling in the case Rol No. 1912-01, without which it would be in condition to do so was confirmed in appeal , The resolution of June 23 this year, writing 936 pages, "says the Supreme Court ruling.

A source linked to the process, explained that with this ruling the trial which pits Villar with transnational foja zero again and have to see the faces again in the 14th Civil Court of Santiago.

"The Court of Appeals (second instance) had ruled that Judge Reyes had failed to lack of competition but precisely to eliminate that the Supreme Court, automatically suggests that it had jurisdiction and that therefore there is nothing questionable at fault as such, "he explains.

In that regard, said the same source, 14 Civil Court of Santiago should return to the first ruling in favor of Villar that nullified the contract with the Nevada Mining Company.

In the case of Ulysses Eagle meanwhile, the plenary of the Supreme Court applied tough sanctions since found that hindered the process at first instance by not carrying out two acts of shape.

"Run the merit of the background and considering that the charges against Officer First of 14 Civil Court of Santiago gift Ulises Eagle Bar have been accredited reliably, it is not sufficient claims or defenses put forward by him to call, and that the facts are an entity or gravity as to warrant the implementation of a disciplinary measure, the process of motion in the exercise of the powers that are vested this court under Article 540 of the Organic Code of Courts, becomes void dismissal decreed by the Court of Appeals of Santiago, "the ruling said.

"In its place, continuing libel applies to gift-Ulises Eagle Bar, First Officer of 14 Civil Court of Santiago, the disciplinary suspension of duties for a month, with half pay to enjoy."

With this, the high court held that the charges were fully accredited to it previously made to Eagle and that he had left without effect the Court of Appeals.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court credited the First Officer had not signed the CITES to hear verdict and had not notified the resolution in the first instance ruling by Judge Reyes, a situation that ultimately led to the Court of Appeals ruled against and raise the case to the Supreme Court.

In addition, the high court ordered the Public Prosecutor to send background, because in the course of investigating a complaint was made against the Eagles, so their punishment can be much stronger.

"Notwithstanding the foregoing resolved and considering the statements made in the process on the possible commission of an illegal criminal in the gestation of the wording of the verdict in the case Rol No. 1912-2001, please copy of this background to the ministry Public awareness and research for its relevance, "the ruling said. As of press time, Eagle was not yet notified of the verdict. Barrick Gold meanwhile, refused to refer to the subject.

Who is 100% Owner of Mina Pascua ?

After many weeks of Pascua Lama news the ongoing delays and the complicated tax issues in Chile and Argentina another story has begun to emerge from the depths of Mina Pascua. A Chilean miner living in Vancouver Canada known as Jorge Lopehandia has been filing documents to the authorizes in Chile and Canada saying that he is 100% owner of Mina Pascua.

Up until now the name of another miner Rodolfo Villar who went to the Supreme court to say he was hoodwinked by the company Barrick Gold has gotten all news coverage. The sale of his titles for 10,000 pesos or $20 US and the court case at the 14th Civil Court in Santiago which rendered the contract NULL and VOID. Barrick responded to this court decision saying it was a nucicence suit.
According to Vince Borg Senor Vice President , Corporate Communications, the lawsuit will not affect the development of Pascua-Lama.“We do not believe that the project's development will not be impacted. The claims ( Rodolfo Villar) in question do not affect the area of mineralization. They also will not affect the development of the project infrastructure,” he said.

He said he was unsure of how much exploration potential there is on these claims, but “I suspect not high.”

this was from that article " & Silver
Prospector Wins Initial Court Ruling on Barrick's Pascua Lama "
about the court case

However the little know fact is that Rodolfo Villar is an employee of Jorge Lopehandia and that Rodolfo went to sell the land title to Barrick Gold behind Jorge's back.

He was sued by Barrick Gold in Canada for libel in lawsuit the first of its kind in Canada . In order to silence and discredit him from accusations he was trying to publish online in this complicated story of Now after years in the background and himself being sued by the company for the first Internet backstabbing and raw deals.

Here is an excerpt told by Jorge to me about the deal between Rodolfo Villar when trying to sell titles as he needed money to maintain claims near Mina Pascua.

the fact is that Villar was authorized by Jorge "to dsign off as soon as John lill calls you as we have agreed to a transaction - 1996 as told by Jorge Lopehandia to Rodolfo Villar prior to Barrick ever meeting Villar or entering into business with ALEJANDRO MORENO at Pascua 1997"

"Rodolfo Villar told a lawyer Alejandro Moreno Prohens that he could not find me and needed $ to maintain claims near Pascua I sold to Barrick... MORENO told Villar NO WAY let me help I have cash... Villar gave the info to MORENO and MORENO re-claimed Villar's new discovery to MORENO'S NAME, and with this he went to Barrick to get 280 million and IN THE SAME (MORENO) CONTRACT get Villar 10,000 poesos for 8600 hectares

MORENO taught Barrick how to claim jump me after he claim jumped VILLAR

It is all in the anals of mining Registrar in Chile"...

When asked if Jorge is a claim jumper this case he responded. " No I am not a claim jumper, Barrick lost the area to its fraud to Chile and Mining Code when I claimed 1996. My areas are 100 % Mina Pascua and Vince Borg's Declaration make him liable to me and to his shareholders/banks and Chile itself.


He went on to explain more of the sorted detail

"We did not claim jump, Barrick lost the area to fraud to Chilean Mining Code and I proved this to John Lill in 1996, it was after Barrick discovered I was right that they JUMPED my AMARILLOS - correct at law discovery.... if their claims were right and I jumped their good claims... why TESOROS of Unda Lannos I seized judicially... why the rest of subsequent guanaco and burro pastures for Barrick thereat?"

In Chile there is a law against IMAGINARY CONTRACTS & TRANSACTIONS penalized with 5years 1 day per . barrick did many $10,000 pesos contracts near Pascua (self admitted in Trial in our case)

"The difference between today and last year when i sent out all this information to anyone who would listen is that I am now 100% owner of MinaPascua and I have all the documentation to prove it", says Jorge Lopehandia.

All I know is that on paper Jorge Lopehandia is the current title holder of Mina Pascua , how he got there is another story. This is a fight amongst miners ,who is the original owner and who holds the title today and who committed fraud," says Daniel Yanez freelance reporter for El Siglo who has written many articles on the Pascua Lama case and has follow Jorge Lopendia's story.

Whether or not this case gets any attention in the Chilean or Canadian media this ongoing saga of who is the rightful owner of Mina Pascua will continue. Only time will tell if the company can whether this latest storm as they have tried to maintain that everything is under control with respect to the advancements and on going delays with Project Mina Pascua (Lama).



Check back for more ongoing developments on this story .
http://pascualamaproject.blogspot.com/

LETTER TO FISCAL de CONAMA

Sr. Rodrigo Guzman, Fiscal de CONAMA CHILE,
And,
Secretarías Regionales Ministeriales (SEREMI) de Minería

Dear Sirs: Via email

Re: Cia Minera Nevada SA (“Nevada”) and Mina Pascua: Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) and the “Pascua Lama” mining project (the “Project”)


We are the solicitors for Jorge Rodrigo Lopehandia, who possesses a general Power of Attorney as noted in the margins of the enclosed mining titles to the “Amarillo Norte and Amarillo Sur” mining claims.

Our client is concerned with the activities of Nevada and its claims of ownership of the Project in Chile. As you may be aware, the Courts in Santiago have ruled on the ownership of the claims referenced, referred to as “Amarillo” and “Tesoro”. Attached is a true copy of the Tesoro Claims with the continuing Injunction noted therein, and the Court Judgments for your review and reference.

We also attach for your review and reference the following:

1. A Technical Report dated march 30, 2005 [see page 43 ,Figure 9.2] and Barrick Shareholders’ Report dated November 30, 2006 [see page 16] as published by Barrick in Canada, wherein the UTM co-ordinates of the ore body (mining pit) are indicated;

2. A Satellite Image (the “Image”) of the Tesoro Claims showing the UTM co-ordinates of the Tesoro Claims, as prepared by Golder Associates, Professional Engineers;

3. A “Mountain Image” of the Pascua Lama Project as advertised by Barrick in Chile.

From a review of the UTMs shown in the Technical Report published by Barrick, and those UTM’s shown in the Barrick Shareholders’ Report, as compared to the UTMs shown in the Image, it is clear that the Tesoro Claims (which are the subject of the “Villar v. Nevada” Court case in Santiago) contain the ore body / mining pit of Mina Pascua.

With respect, Barrick’s claims as set out in their News Release dated October 11, 2007, attached, cannot be reconciled with the Court Judgment documents nor with the UTM co-ordinates as attached.


Accordingly, we ask that you assist Jorge Lopehandia by:

1. providing Barrick’s Environmental Impact Study;

2. providing the description of the areas of the Pascua project as represented to you by Barrick;

3. request that Barrick proves to your satisfaction that Barrick or Nevada owns current valid claims that are located near the Amarillos Sur / Norte claims, that have been owned by Barrick / Nevada prior to 1996;

4. request that Barrick provide details of the UTMs of the drilled ore body and proven reserves of Pascua that were sold to Deutsche Bank AG in 2005 from the Mina Pascua (Chile) as per the attached link: ;

5. request that Barrick provide details of the UTMs of the drilled ore body and proven reserves of Pascua that were sold as Royalties to International Royalty Corporation as detailed in the link: and as referenced in the following e-letter text received from International Royalty Corporation (“ROY”):

“dateTue, Jul 8, 2008 at 8:54 AM
subjectRE: Pascua NSR Royalty purchased from Barrick: Problem


Dave,

Thank you for your interest in International Royalty Corporation. I have done some research, and according to our lawyers in Santiago, the area covered by the lawsuit you mention below” [ref: Villar v. Cia Minera Nevada] “is very far to the north of the orebody. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns on the company.

Best regards,

Jack Perkins
Director of Investor Relations
International Royalty Corporation
303 991-9500”

With respect, if what is represented by ROY is correct, which cannot be substantiated by the UTM co-ordinates referenced above, would that not put the Pascua ore body in Region IV?