Reply to Emet Değirmenci's letter from Senator Bourne

Dear Emet Degirmenci

Thank you for your e-mail.

As your petition did not comply with the new regulations passed in
the Senate by the current Government and Opposition we have had to
submit your concerns through other channels.

On 24 May I spoke on the adjournment to ensure your concerns have been
and acknowledged 795 signatures.

Once Parliament resumes I shall seek to submit more signatures to ensure
this matter does not get hidden.

Below is a copy of my speech.

Yours sincerely
Vicki Bourne
Australian Democrats Senator for NSW
Party Whip
Spokesperson for foreign affairs, human
rights (int), defence, broadcasting, Special
Minister for State, Territories

visit the Democrats website: www.democrats.org.au

Petition: Mining Industry: Cyanide Leach Process
Mining Industry: Cyanide Leach Process
To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate assembled in
Parliament

The Petition of the undersigned citizens and residents of Australia
draws to
the attention of the House to Prohibit the Use of the CYANIDE LEACH
PROCESS
by Australian-owned Gold Mines operating in TURKIYE (Turkey)

Cyanide is one of the most poisonous chemical substance in the world..It is
used by mining corporations in the Cyanide Leaching Process to extract
gold or metals from the ore.

The Cyanide Leach Process is illegal in USA, Canada, Greece, Austria and
the Czech Republic.

Eurogold is owned by Australian company, Normandy Mining. Eurogold has
been using cyanide to extract gold in Bergama, Turkiye since February 1998.
They are planning 560 new gold mines in Turkiye.

In 1997, after 7 years of active resistance of villagers and communities,
the Turkish High Court ordered mining, to cease in Bergama. However,
Eurogold was able to start mining again in 2000 due to international
trade agreements, and after a visit to Turkiye by the Australian Prime
Minister, John Howard in April 2000.

We, the undersigned, support a prohibition on the use of cyanide
reagents by Australian companies globally in mines and metallic ore processing
facilities. Therefore we urge our legislators to support a ban on the
use of cyanide. Further, we urge our legislators to ensure that
Australian-based mining companies operate under a mandatory code of sustainable conduct.

by Senator Bourne (from 795 citizens)

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