‘Water is More Precious than Gold’ Speaking Tour and Anti-Mining Delegation

WHAT: Salvadoran activists will travel to Canada and the US to garner support for their campaign to make El Salvador the first country to ban metal mining. The “Water Is More Precious than Gold” tour is part of a continent-wide public education campaign that is raising awareness about the negative impact of US/Canadian mining operations on El Salvador.

WHO: The tour will featureVidalina Morales and Sandra Carolina Ascencio, representatives from the El Salvadoran National Roundtable against Metallic Mining (the Mesa).  Since 2006, the Mesa has brought together hundreds of communities and thousands of people from across El Salvador, including environmental, community-based, research, legal and religious organizations, to successfully halt mining operations in the country and to call for a ban on metal mining.

WHY: The speaking tour aims to build greater awareness about the issues facing El Salvador and other Latin American countries, challenge the unjust practices of US and Canadian mining companies, including Commerce Group, Pacific Rim and Goldcorp, and build relationships with groups in North America, including those confronting their own local mining issues. The speaking tour will be followed by an international Fact-Finding Mission to El Salvador on May 9-13, aiming to build awareness around the dangers of mining in El Salvador.

The Mesa is also worried about possible contamination from upstream mining projects just over the border in Guatemala and Honduras. Goldcorp’s Cerro Blanco mine, for example, is located only 18 km from El Salvador in the headwaters of the Lempa River, the main source of water for over 60% of the population of El Salvador.

WHEN & WHERE: The Water Is More Precious than Gold tour will start March 9, 2013 in Vancouver, Canada and will hold events in 20 Cities across Canada and the US (click here for a full list of cities and dates). Following the events in Canada, the speaking tour will head south to the US, with talks in Bangor, Portland, New York, Boston, New Jersey, and will on April 11, in Washington DC. 

 

U.S. Tour Stops:

• March 29 – Bangor, ME
• April 1 – Augusta, ME / Portland, ME
• April 2 & 3 – Boston, MA
• April 3 – New Jersey, NY
• April 4 – New York, NY
• April 5-10 – Washington, DC

For more information, visit the website of the International Allies Against Mining in El Salvador-  http://www.stopesmining.org/j25/index.php/2013-tour

 

INTERNATIONAL FACT FINDING MISSION TO EL SALVADOR
 MAY 09-13, 2013

The small country of El Salvador and its citizens are caught up in a David vs. Goliath struggle to defend their rights to water, health and sustainable development. Since the early 2000 as many as 10 transnational mining corporations are seeking to extract gold and other precious minerals buried under its northern mountains which provide the main source of clean water, fresh air and local agricultural production for the country. The National Roundtable on Metallic Mining in El Salvador is a diverse coalition of organized communities, NGOs, think tanks, and faith organizations opposing mining has been successful in halting mining operations and in building local and international alliances to support the right of Salvadorans to protect their natural resources. La Mesa an inspiring force in the global resistance against the devastating impacts of resource extractive industries. However their struggle is far from over, as the fight to defend sovereignty and the right to self determination reaches a critical moment, more support and solidarity is required to achieve a successful outcome.

WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR

Environmental activists, union leaders, members of human rights and faith groups, policy makers, donors, academics, journalists and those who are interested in building bridges of solidarity with the people of El Salvador and supporting their struggle to put an end to metallic mining.

PARTICIPANT COST

* Costs participants are expected to incur include their flight to El Salvador and local accommodations.
* Most food and local transportation to field trips will be provided.
* Organizers will be happy to book a hotel on your behalf and/or provide a list of reasonably priced hotels

REGISTRATION DEADLINE APRIL 30-2013

To register please visit: http://www.stopesmining.org/j25/index.php/registration-form

For more information contact: stopesmining@gmail.com