(See video clip of Pascua Lama proposal below)
For several years now, the RRSE follows closely the various developments in connection with the Pascua-Lama project, put forward by the mining company Barrick Gold of Canada. Both in its scope (the project has a concession of 3 041 square km) and by its location overlooking the border of Chile and Argentina (in the middle of a semi-arid and desert at an altitude of 3 800 5 to 200 meters, the RRSE is of the opinion that this project presents significant risks with respect to the quality and accessibility of water for local people.
Following the precautionary principle, and considering that:
* Water is essential to life and the realization of all human rights; Water is essential to life and the realization of all human rights;
* The Pascua Lama mine will be located in a seismic zone, high elevation, upstream of the few sources of water of two inhabited valleys in Chile and Argentina that extraction by cyanidation will and that the complex will produce large quantities of dust and acid drainage, the Pascua Lama mine will be located in a seismic zone, high elevation, upstream of the few sources of water of two inhabited valleys in Chile and Argentina that extraction by cyanidation will and that the complex will produce large dust quantities and acid drainage;
* An accident, natural or industrial, could have significant and irreversible effect on the quantity and quality of water in the region, as well as the reputation and profitability of Barrick, an accident, natural or industrial, could have significant and irreversible effect on the quantity and quality of water in the region, as well as the reputation and profitability of Barrick;
The RRSE offered by way of a shareholder proposal that:
* Hires a management advisory panel of experts of international renown, independent in fact and in appearance, and familiar with best practices in relevant disciplines, for the reassurance on all aspects of the project, including the monitoring of post-safety exploitation; management engage an advisory panel of experts of international renown, independent in fact and in appearance, and familiar with best practices in relevant disciplines, for the reassurance on all aspects of the project, including follow-up safety post-operation;
* The panel released a summary annual independent recommendations of its members, the panel makes public an annual summary of the recommendations of independent members;
* The direction is not bound by the panel recommendations, but says, if so, why she chose not to follow the recommendations. management is not bound by the panel recommendations, but says, if so, why she chose not to follow the recommendations.
2009 Barrick Gold Shareholders meeting
© RRSE
