What: Changing Landscapes Exhibition Opening & Mining and Water Pubic Forum
When: Tuesday 7 April 2009, 12pm
Where: Condobolin Western Plains Regional Development Centre , William St., Condobolin, NSW
Changing Landscapes is a photographic exhibition documenting the story of the world’s largest gold miner, Barrick Gold Corporation’s mine operation in the culturally and ecologically significant Lake Cowal. Lake Cowal is an ephemeral lake experiencing periods of flooding and drying in 20-year cycles. The Lake is not only a Nationally significant wetland but is known as the Sacred Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation.
Covering a 10 year period the exhibition explores the beauty of Lake Cowal and the stark changes on the landscape through gold mining. Exploring the natural changes through drought and the changes created by human intervention Changing Landscapes aims to to inform the community and wider public about the environmental impacts of the Barrick Gold’s mine at Lake Cowal. The photographs tell a dramatic story of struggle and of beauty in the face of the resource boom.
As part of the exhibition opening on Tuesday 7 April in Condobolin there will be a public forum on Mining and Water to discuss issues around access to water and the impact of mining on water sources. Guest speakers at the opening include local Traditional Owner Betty Atkinson, NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon, and Neville Chappy Williams of the Mooka Kalara United Families. The exhibition precedes the annual Easter Gathering at Lake Cowal where people from around the country join in solidarity with Wiradjuri to express their concern and highlight the human rights and environmental impacts of mining.
Wiradjuri Traditional Owner, Neville Chappy Williams: 0447841560
Exhibition Curator, Mia Pepper: 0415 380 808
NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon: 0427861568
Information Resources:
www.savelakecowal.org www.peacebus.com
www.protestbarrick.net www.nodirtygold.org
www.rainforestinfo.org www.mpi.org.au
www.foe.org.au
Traditional Owner wins injunction restraining Barrick Gold mine expansion:
http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id=396
Article: The Promise of Responsible Corporate Citizenship at Barrick Gold
http://globalinvestmentwatch.com/2009/02/17/the-promise-of-responsible-corporate-citizenship-at-barrick-gold/
Barrick Gold Corporation excluded from the Government Pension Fund
http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id=391
WGAR 