************* Barrick Gold in the News *************

Barrick's gold mine at Lake Cowal encompasses approximately 26.50 square kilometres. One hundred and eight million tons of low to medium grade ore will be excavated from an open cut pit 1km wide and 325 meters deep on the lake shore and partly within the high water level of Lake Cowal. Cyanide will be usedIt is estimated that the pit Barrick will blast to retreive approxiamately 2.7 million ounces of gold will be comparable to the size of Uluru in the Northern Territory. The mine runs 24 hours a day all year and has a lif of about 13 years.

On 27 March 2006 the mine became fully operational despite opposition from Traditional Owners within the Wiradjuri Nation, the Coalition to Protect Lake Cowal and concerned citizens around Australia. The first gold was poured at the mine in April 2006 and NSW Premier, Morris Iemma officially opened it on 29 September.

Barrick owns eight mines in Australia.

The company has been accused of a number of environmentally unsound practices, as well as illegal trading activities.

In January 2003, a 26-year old woman was killed in a pitwall collapse at a Barrick mine in Western Australia.

The Lake Cowal mine continues to use enormous amounts of water from a region stricken by the worst drought in recorded history, affecting local communities and farmers.

Examples of other unsound practices were the damning findings of the Western Australian Government's review of the Kalgoorlie Super pit, a 50-50 joint venture between Barrick and Newmont. The 2004 report found a large area around the Super Pit's Fimiston 1 tailings dam was affected by cyanide and heavy metal contamination, elevated groundwater cyanide levels and increased salinity. Seven tonnes of mercury are alleged to have been emitted from the Super Pit in 2004-2005.

Barrick is currently undertaking mining and exploration projects in Papua New Guinea, North America, Australia, Peru, Chile, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Phillipines and Tanzania. For 2006, it produced 8.64 million troy ounces of gold at a cash cost of US $282/ounce. As of December 31, 2004 its proven and probable gold mineral reserves stand at 123 million troy ounces.

On January 20, 2006, Barrick acquired a majority share of Placer Dome. The production of the combined organisation moved Barrick to its current position as the largest gold producer, ahead of Newmont Mining Corporation. Barrick has its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and four regional business units (RBU's) located in Australia, Africa, North America and South America. Barrick trades under the ticker symbol ABX on the Toronto, New York, London and Swiss stock exchanges and the Paris Bourse.

For news updates of Barrick and its impacts on communites throughout the world click here


DID YOU KNOW?
Approxiamately 80% of all gold produced is for jewellery. It takes 18 tonnes of earth, generating 12 cubic metres of tailings, to produce enough gold for an average wedding band. For more info visit: www.nodirtygold.org

PLEASE SUPPORT THE SAVE LAKE COWAL FUND