Western Shoshone Defense Project - Archives

From: Jamie Kneen amie@miningwatch.ca

[misleading headline, but...]
Thursday, September 28, 2006

Groups Organizing Against Navajo Nation Uranium Mining

Albuquerque Journal--The Associated Press GALLUP- Activists are fighting the possibility of increased uranium mining on the Navajo reservation.

The McKinley Community Health Alliance, which held a forum Monday on the history of uranium mining in the area, cited the 1979 collapse of an earthen dam at a United Nuclear Corporation settling pond in Church Rock that released 94 million gallons of radioactive wastewater and 1,100 tons of uranium tailings.

Alliance representative Jana Gunnell said people in the area need to say no to uranium companies now, "so that we're not in a position to say, 'Oh no, not again.'"

Uranium brings in more than $50 per pound, and companies are pursuing new mine locations, including the Colorado Plateau and the eastern part of the Navajo Nation.

Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining has raised concerns about possible ground water pollution at proposed sites near Church Rock and Crownpoint, where Hydro Resources Inc. wants to inject chemicals into the ground to release uranium and pump the solution to the surface in a process called in situ leaching.

The anti-mining group, which has been fighting the plans for more than a decade, is concerned about how in situ mining might affect an aquifer that supplies drinking water to 15,000 people.

Mansel Nelson, program coordinator for Northern Arizona University's Environmental Education Outreach Program, said the process does not produce the piles of uranium tailings debris of conventional mining and keeps miners safer because they don't have to go underground.

However, Nelson said that there's a danger dissolved uranium might seep out of the mine area. And he said companies' records in cleaning up in situ sites is not encouraging.

Chris Shuey, director of uranium impact assessment for the Albuquerque-based Southwest Research and Information Center, said there are few lasting gains from the past uranium mining booms.

Decades after mining in the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds of abandoned mines have not been restored and thousands of reservation residents are still waiting on compensation claims, he said.

September 19, 2006
info@rightsaction.org
www.rightsaction.org
GUATEMALA:

Mayan-Q’eqchi’ people
occupy Skye Resources nickel mine property

[ Rights Action is involved in education and outreach work related to mining in the Mayan-Q’eqchi’ region of Guatemala. We do this work in conjunction with AEDPI (Asociación Estorena Para el Desarrollo Integral), mentioned in this article.]

MAYANS OCCUPY GUATEMALAN NICKEL MINE PROPERTY

GUATEMALA CITY, Sept 18 (Reuters)

Hundreds of Mayan Indian families have invaded land owned by a Canadian nickel mining firm in Guatemala, setting up makeshift camps and demanding the company cede land for subsistence farming.

Skye Resources Inc. plans to reopen a long-dormant nickel project near Guatemala's Lake Izabal and begin producing 11,000 tonnes of ferro-nickel late in 2008. But environmental concerns and disputes over land rights prompted more than 1,000 Mayan Indians living near the site to occupy two different areas within the company's concession over the weekend, said activists working in El Estor, the town closest to the mine.

"People are building houses and it looks like they are not planning on leaving anytime soon," said Daniel Vogt, who represents local Mayan development group Aepdi. The company said it is open to negotiation but that the townspeople refused to enter into discussions to resolve the dispute. "Right now they are just near the roads to the mineral deposits, and the landing strip," mine official Omar Dieguez told Reuters. "We would like to resolve this or else there could be conflicts once we start operations."

Skye's shares rose last week after news that mining giants Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (VALE5.SA: Quote, Profile, Research), BHP Billiton (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) and Xstrata Plc (XTA.L: Quote, Profile, Research) were all considering bids for the Vancouver-based company.

[ RightsAction can provide information about human rights violations and enviro-harms associated with operations of Skye Resources and its predecessor company INCO (international nickel company), now a shareholder in Skye. The well-documented problems and human suffering associated with Skye/ INCO’s mining operations make no impact on global acquisitions and received scant media coverage.]

SKYE FALLING INTO VIEW OF GLOBAL MINERS --
CVRD, BHP BILLITON AND XSTRATA SAID TO BE WEIGHING BID FOR VANCOUVER COMPANY

By Andy Hoffman and Andrew Willis, Globe and Mail
September 11, 2006

The same global mining giants at the centre of the high-stakes battle for Inco Ltd. and Falconbridge Ltd. are moving downstream, turning their acquisition sights to smaller Canadian base metal miners amid a shortage of new nickel supplies. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) of Brazil, BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining firm, and Xstrata PLC, which recently seized control of Falconbridge, are all considering bids for Vancouver's Skye Resources Inc., according to industry sources familiar with the matter.

CVRD's interest in Skye is understood to be the most advanced, and the iron ore giant is believed to be preparing a bid that could be in the range of $20 a share, according to one source in the investment banking industry. BHP, however, may have the upper hand. The company already has a 16.5-per-cent stake in Skye, which is developing the Fenix nickel project in Eastern Guatemala. BHP has its own operations in the country close to the Fenix project.

Skye shares jumped 50 cents to $16.20 Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange on speculation of a takeover bid. The stock has surged almost 450 per cent this year.

Unlike CVRD's $19.4-billion all-cash bid for Inco or Xstrata's $18-billion acquisition of Falconbridge, an offer for Skye would be a relatively small purchase for the mining companies. Skye's market capitalization is $477-million. The Vancouver firm expects to produce up to 25 million pounds of nickel from the Fenix project a year beginning in 2008, according to a recent feasibility study. The company says Fenix could produce up to 50 million pounds of ferro-nickel a year thereafter.

A Skye spokesman declined to comment on Friday. The company asked its financial adviser TD Securities to explore the potential merger or sale of Skye in late August.

Spurred by soaring demand for nickel, copper and other base metals from China and India, the mining industry is undergoing rapid consolidation amid soaring commodity prices. …

Interestingly, Skye's Fenix project was once owned by Inco, but the mine and an on-site processing plant was shut down in the early 1980s because of soaring energy costs and low nickel prices. The price of nickel has more than doubled this year, extending a three-year boom in base metals. Skye acquired the rights to the Fenix project in 2004 and Inco owns approximately 12 per cent of the company's stock. A CVRD spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. …

Skye is headed by Ian Austin, the former chief financial officer of Placer Dome Inc., which was swallowed up by Barrick Gold Corp. last year for $10.4-billion (U.S.). Mr. Austin was unavailable for comment on Friday.

WHAT TO DO:

Over the past few years, Rights Action – with other North and Central American organizations – has been supporting local communities resisting the multiple harms (enviro-destruction; undermining of locally controlled development; repression against people opposing mining; violations of the rights to health, water and control over one’s property and resources; etc.) caused by the mining operations of Skye Resources [formerly and still partially INCO nickel company]. We also support efforts to end the legal immunity from prosecution and impunity with which these companies operate.

It is disheartening and harmful that most news coverage, discussing the mergers and acquisitions, makes no mention whatsoever of the well-documented enviro-harms and human rights violations associated with these companies' operations; for the media, companies, investors and shareholders, the only issues worth commentary are financial.

GET INVOLVED:

For more information about North American mining companies in Central America; to provide tax-deductible donations for the community development work of Mayan communities; to come on educational delegations to the region; to get involved in your community in work for justice, equality and environmental respect: info@rightsaction.org, www.rightsaction.org.

Eulynda-Jean Toledo-Benalli,Ph.D.Dine' Nation First Nations North & South
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." MLKJr.

From: Alan Septoff,
EARTHWORKS
action@earthworksaction.org
July 21, 2006

Help Prevent More Anti-Environmental
Special Favors for the Mining Industry

"Greedy Sam" Initiative Would Exempt Industry from Environmental Laws Under Guise of Mine Cleanup

Greetings,
Some multi-national mining companies are pushing Congress to find new ways to gut our Nation's hallmark environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, and the "Superfund" law - the law which requires that those with a financial interest in a polluted property help pay to clean it up.

Montana's Fisher Creek was polluted by abandoned mines. Today it is being cleaned up... without Greedy Sam. Montana's Fisher Creek was polluted by abandoned mines. Today it is being cleaned up... without 'Greedy Sam'. Please take action!

These laws help protect the public from mining pollution, both old and new, and they help ensure that the companies that polluted the environment pay to clean it up.

Under the guise of a "Good Samaritan" initiative to clean up the hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines around the country, mining industry interests want to be able to dig up these old mines in search of new gold and other metals -- without complying with federal, state or local environmental laws.

It would set a horrible precedent, not just for the mining industry, but for all industries wanting exemption from environmental laws. The definition of a "Good Samaritan" is someone who does a good deed (in this case, abandoned mine cleanup) without expectation of reward. For this industry-backed initiative... "Greedy Samaritan" is a better name for it.

Please contact your Senator, and ask them to oppose "Greedy Samaritan" legislation when it is considered next week by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (the middle of the week of 7/24).

Thanks for taking action!
Sincerely,
Alan Septoff
EARTHWORKS INSTRUCTIONS:

• Click here to go to the action page
• Read the sample letter and modify if you can. Personalized subject lines and/or letter text will increase the impact your letter has on decisionmakers.
• On the action page, clicking "Send My Message" will send your comment to your Senator on the Environment and Public Works Committee.

"No, Pebble Mine isn't my neighbor"
Proposed project would benefit Outside interests to the detriment of Native people

July 14, 2006
By FRANCES A. NELSON
http://juneauempire.com/stories/071406/opi_20060714010.shtml

Is the proposed Pebble Mine my neighbor? No, my neighbors are New Stuyahok, Ekwok, Portage Creek and other surrounding villages. I have a lot of respect for my neighbors my neighbors respect me. We respect each other's traditional and ancestral land-use rights. These lands are primarily used for subsistence by me and my neighbors. Isn't the proposed Pebble Mine on traditional and ancestral lands?

When Northern Dynasty responds to public comment, it responds by saying that people are basing their decisions on information that is not accurate or not correct. We all can't have incorrect and inaccurate information.

Too many times I've seen Native Americans removed from their traditional and ancestral lands so others can develop the land. I've also seen lands developed near or on lands occupied by Native Americans. How do Native Americans benefit from the development of their traditional and ancestral lands? They don't. Isn't Northern Dynasty a Canadian company? If the proposed Pebble Mine was developed, who would receive the big dividends?

Developers promise to contribute to the local economy, public organizations, educational and health institutions, and they always promise big bucks. I believe they employ a few local residents and donate to a few local organizations and institutions. When the resources have dwindled to almost nothing, they leave.

Now Northern Dynasty is saying that we do not want development in our region. Who will benefit, who will profit the most from "development" in our region? In the case of the Pebble Mine, the beneficiaries would be the Canadians. So, of course, Northern Dynasty will continue to try and persuade people to support the mine and it will continue to try and persuade us that what it's doing is environmentally safe and our "renewable resources" will be protected.

What are residents left with after "development" such as open-pit mining? My concern is for the land, water, wildlife, plants and, most importantly, people.

When developers leave, there is a high rate of unemployment. In some communities, water is contaminated and people buy their water at the grocery store. People can no longer subsist off the land and water, because the land and water is polluted and the wildlife, fish and plants are no longer safe to eat. There are high rates of sickness, such as cancer. There is a high rate of death and a high rate of drug and alcohol abuse. What I am most afraid of is a high rate of suicide among the youth.

We will risk so much, so others (Canadians) can benefit.

So many Native Americans have given up their traditional and ancestral land-use rights or their rights have been taken from them. I cannot sit back and allow this to happen here.

I am a part of a federally recognized tribe, which has the right to self-determination. We have the right to self-government. We have the right to determine our own relations with other nations and other peoples. We have the right to preserve our culture, language and spirituality.

I believe that our tribal government is doing OK here in Koliganek. Our families and elders have worked hard to protect us and our way of life. They have also provided for our needs and taught us our culture.

We, as a Native people, have lived in harmony with the land, fish and wildlife. We are the traditional stewards and caretakers of this land. Our connection to the land, fish and wildlife is an important part of our identity as Yup'ik people. For us to remain on this land, we need subsistence.

Some people might not think that we, as Native people, are not advancing fast enough. I believe we are. People from Koliganek are doing very well. Some are teachers, administrators, fisherman, accountants, retail workers and more. There are some who serve or who have successfully completed service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

We are educating ourselves, we are working, and we are contributing to our economy, our state and our country. We are not a suffering and impoverished people as some people think of us as. We are thriving.

* Frances A. Nelson is a resident of Koliganek.

VERY URGENT

Dear friends who care about our earth. Judge for yourself if you want to take action.

In the Valle de San Felix, the purest water in Chile runs from 2 rivers, fed by 2 glaciers.

Water is a most precious resource, and wars will be fought for it.

Indigenous farmers use the water, there is no unemployment, and they provide the second largest source of income for the area.

Under the glaciers has been found a huge deposit of gold, silver and other minerals. To get at these, it would be necessary to break, to destroy the glaciers - something never conceived of in the history of the world - and to make 2 huge holes, each as big as a whole mountain, one for extraction and one for the mine's rubbish tip.

The project is called PASCUA LAMA. The company is called Barrick Gold.

The operation is planned by a multi-national company, one of whose members is George Bush Senior.

The Chilean Government has approved the project to start this year, 2006.

The only reason it hasn't started yet is because the farmers have got a temporary stay of execution.

If they destroy the glaciers, they will not just destroy the source of especially pure water, but they will permanently contaminate the 2 rivers so they will never again be fit for human or animal consumption because of the use of cyanide and sulphuric acid in the extraction process.

Every last gram of gold will go abroad to the multinational company and not one will be left with the people whose land it is. They will only be left with the poisoned water and the resulting illnesses.

The farmers have been fighting a long time for their land, but have been forbidden to make a TV appeal by a ban from the Ministry of the Interior.

Their only hope now of putting brakes on this project is to get help from international justice.

The world must know what is happening in Chile. The only place to start changing the world is from here.

We ask you to circulate this message amongst your friends in the following way.

Please copy this text, paste it into a new email adding your signature and send it to everyone in your address book. Please, will the 100th person to receive and sign the petition, send it to oapascualama@yahoo.ca to be forwarded to the Chilean Government.

No to Pascua Lama Open-cast mine in the Andean Cordillera on the Chilean-Argentine frontier.

We ask the Chilean Government not to authorize the Pascua Lama project to protect the whole of 3 glaciers, the purity of the water of the San Felix Valley and El Transito, the quality of the agricultural land of the region of Atacama, the quality of life of the Diaguita people and of the whole population of the region.

Signature, City, Country

May 14, 2006
By J. Patrick Coolican and Launce Rake
Las Vegas Sun
www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-other/2006/may/14/566664207.html

Water mines not in the cards

Nevada's mines make more than gold. They pump a lot of water from the ground, too, and that's a resource the state's urban areas might one day put to use.

Russ Fields, Nevada Mining Association president, suggested on a Reno television talk show last week that massive amounts of water pumped out from areas around open pit gold mines could be used to slake the thirst of Nevada's rapidly growing urban areas. The water was potable, he said, fit for human consumption.

"Water is going to be a huge issue," Fields said on "Nevada News Makers," which the mining association partially sponsors. "We do have to move a lot of water. That is in some cases an interbasin transfer. That is what Las Vegas is talking about, major interbasin transfers." Fields was right. Las Vegas and all of Southern Nevada are running dry. Water authorities are pushing for permission to pump water from rural valleys - or basins - in the north to urban areas in the south. Water from the state's gold mines has not been a part of those plans, but Fields suggested that the transfer of water from mining wells would be an industry priority for the next session of the Legislature, which begins in 2007.

Or maybe not. As Fields' proposal percolated through the state this week, it became clear that the idea was not popular.

The pollution problem

The mining industry is far and away the largest industrial polluter of surface water in Nevada, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Of the 107,890 pounds of toxic chemicals poured into Nevada's surface water in 2004, the latest year tracked by the federal government, 107,878 came from metal mining. Twelve pounds came from other sources, including 11 pounds from metal fabrication. Despite that pollution, much of the water pumped out from around the mines is often clean enough for human use, said Tom Myers, a hydrologist by training who works closely with conservation groups in Nevada. The water is pumped from around mines to keep the huge open pits themselves dry.

Even when that water is loaded with minerals, it could be treated to bring it up to potable quality, Myers said.

Environmental concerns

But other aspects of the proposal present bigger problems. One is that mining wells, called dewatering wells, operate under temporary permits from the Nevada state engineer.

Cities could be in a tough spot if they depend on water from mines that will eventually shut down, Myers said. "How do they benefit unless they open new mines, or the wells keep operating even if the mines shut down? These water rights have always been sold as temporary. Once dewatering ceases, they have to shut down."

Another potential problem is for the environment. The Nevada state engineer allows mining companies to pump out water above what the environment can naturally replenish, what is called the sustainable, perennial yield, to ensure the pits stay dry.

That is very different from agencies such as the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which have to stay within the natural limits of the local environment when they use groundwater.

"The mines are not limited to the perennial yield," Myers said. "They can pump as much as they want or need to keep the pits dry. They're allowed to do that because it's temporary."

Myers said overpumping from mining wells that send water to urban users would be strongly opposed by environmentalists in the state. Many of those environmentalists are also strongly opposed to practices of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which like the mining association, has an interest in interbasin transfers.

The Water Authority now supplies nearly all of Clark County's water needs from Lake Mead and the Colorado River, but is moving to develop groundwater sources throughout Lincoln County and in southern White Pine County in Nevada's vast rural center. Environmentalists and some ranchers, especially in White Pine County, have opposed the plans. Residents and political leaders in Elko County, home to some of Nevada's most productive gold mines, also have expressed concerns about those plans. But Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy has said the agency has no plans to extend the pipelines into Elko County. She repeated that Thursday.

'You couldn't sell those bonds'

And Mulroy said that whatever the mining association is planning has nothing to do with the Water Authority. "First I've heard of it," she said.

The showstopper for such a plan would be the temporary nature of the well permits for mining, Mulroy said.

" Why would you spend that kind of money on temporary water? You couldn't get the banks to support it. You couldn't sell those bonds." Mulroy and others noted that there was a proposal in the mid-1990s to divert mining water to the Humboldt River for municipal use, but it went nowhere.

The only way to make such a proposal work would be to modify the state's water law to make such mining well permits permanent. "I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the whole notion of opening up Nevada water law," she said.

Bob Fulkerson, chairman of the advocacy group Great Basin Mine Watch, said the mining industry leadership will look to sell water to Nevada's cities:

"They're probably looking at the fact that Reno is going to be out of water. We have 10 years of growth left, and then they're also of course looking at Las Vegas and the pipeline that's supposed to end in White Pine County.

"Somebody forgot to tell them it's not an infinite supply of water and building a pipeline can cost billions of dollars."

Fulkerson, also director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, has also opposed the Water Authority ground water plans. Any pumping from the mines to urban areas adds to his fears.

"The damage to the ecosystem from the loss of those massive quantities of water is unfathomable," he said. "It boggles the mind to consider what they're thinking of doing to the land and the resources out there. Even for the mining industry, it's reprehensible."

Controlling growth

The only long-term solution to Nevada's water issues is to control the state's explosive growth, and thus limit the need for more water, he said.

Pete Ernaut, a lobbyist for the mining industry with the firm R&R Partners, which also represents the Water Authority, said sending excess water to populated areas would be an enormous - and perhaps impossible - engineering and logistical challenge.

"Any plan to use that water for Southern Nevada would be geographically impossible," he said, noting that most of the largest mining operations are north of Interstate 80, cut off from Southern Nevada. Excess water generally flows into the Humboldt River, which flows from east to west and not toward Las Vegas.

The mining industry is committed to being a good corporate citizen, he said: "Nevada water law is pretty darn good and served us well for over 100 years. Anything done to change it ought to be done in a judicious manner."

In the end, Fields backed away from the idea. He said in a telephone interview that the mining association is fine with current law and would not drive for a change in legislation to allow moving water from mines to urban areas for human use.

J. Patrick Coolican can be reached at 259-8814 or at patrick.coolican@lasvegassun.com.
Launce Rake can be reached at 259-4127 or at lrake@lasvegassun.com.

EARTHWORKS Protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of destructive mining, digging and drilling.
Alan Septoff, IT/Research Director
EARTHWORKS
1612 K St., NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C., USA 20006
(202) 887-1872x205 aseptoff@earthworksaction.org
www.earthworksaction.org

Don't Trash Your Cell Phone! Recycle It with the Recycle My Cell Phone Campaign www.recyclemycellphone.org

Indigenous join global protest of Newmont gold mining practices

C Indian Country Today All Rights Reserved
May 12, 2006
by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today
www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096412967

AP Photo/Ed Andrieski -- Stop Newmont Alliance and American Indian Movement members protested Newmont Mining Corp. at its annual meeting in Englewood, Colo., on April 25. Pollution and scarred lands resulting from Newmont's gold mines around the world prompted the protest, which included indigenous from Peru, Indonesia and Ghana. ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. - Western Shoshone and Colville tribal members protested in early May at Newmont Mining Corp.'s annual shareholders meeting, uniting with indigenous from Peru, Indonesia and Ghana to create a protest over the pollution and scarred land resulting from gold mining.

''Our lives are more precious than gold,'' read the sign of Mark Tilsen, of Porcupine, S.D., who was among those protesting April 25 at Newmont's annual meeting, held this year at Inverness Hotel, south of Denver.

Western Shoshone Carrie Dann protested and demanded that Newmont halt the destruction of Western Shoshone lands for gold mining in Nevada.

''The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination agreed with us last month and has told the United States to 'freeze' any efforts to privatize our lands, and to 'stop' any new mining projects or other resource extraction and exploitation,'' Dann said.

Newmont, one of the world's biggest gold producers, reported that its first quarter net income more than doubled from the year before, to $209 million, in April.

The Rev. Marco Arana arrived in Denver from Peru after organizing protests against Newmont's Yanacocha mine near Cajamarca. Arana, a diocesan priest who studied water and hydrology issues while earning his master's degree, urged Newmont not to expand its mine to watershed areas.

Arana pointed out to Newmont CEO Wayne Murdy that Newmont was not paying its Peruvian workers salaries equivalent to those in Denver.

Recently in Peru, tens of thousand of indigenous people marched on Newmont operations at Yanacocha, forcing Newmont to cancel plans to expand its open pit mines to the sacred mountain of Quillish.

In Sumbawa, Indonesia, community members expressed their opposition to Newmont's operations by setting ablaze a number of Newmont's machinery, forcing the corporation to close its Batu Hijau Copper Pit until further notice.

In Denver, Newmont moved its shareholders meeting from downtown to the outlying area because of concerns for security. However, the protest was peaceful.

Stop Newmont Mining was among the organizers, offering two days of information and education, including lectures in college classrooms and protests in the streets.

During the shareholders meeting, Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, of Ghana, asked Newmont to commit to improving the water supply there.

Murdy defended Newmont's record to the shareholders. ''It's all about balance,'' Murdy said. ''Can we make everybody happy? No. We don't live in that kind of world.''

The Colorado chapter of the American Indian Movement said it condemns the actions of Newmont that destroy the water, earth and air in Peru, Nevada, Ghana, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Bolivia and the Philippines.

''Equally, we deplore and condemn the explorations and proposed operations of Newmont in the Black Hills of South Dakota, an area sacred to several indigenous nations of the Great Plains region,'' Colorado AIM said in a statement.

''We also call on Newmont immediately to fulfill its responsibility to clean up radioactive uranium waste on the Colville Indian reservation in Washington state.

''The courage and integrity of native peoples around the world in resisting the eco-terrorism of Newmont is an inspiration to us in Colorado AIM,'' AIM said, praising the united global effort for environmental justice.

Western Shoshone announced that a coalition of Newmont Mining shareholder groups called upon Murdy to respect a recent U.N. decision in favor of the Western Shoshone.

Newmont operates gold mines across the Western Shoshone territory in Nevada - equating to nearly 40 percent of its equity base and is seeking new exploration in the area.

Julie Fishel, Western Shoshone defense project coordinator, announced support from a group of Newmont shareholders.

''For too long, corporations have reaped huge benefits off the ongoing legacy of physical and spiritual genocide of indigenous peoples, and the destruction of our land, air and water,'' Fishel said.

While protesting Newmont, Kristi Begay, Western Shoshone, thanked Newmont shareholder groups for their support.

''Our land, water and air is sacred to us and is recognized by the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley, and yet the government and the companies have been acting as if it means nothing,'' Begay said.

In April, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination rejected the United States' claim that Western Shoshone lands somehow transferred to federal or U.S. ownership, putting into question the legality of Newmont and other corporations operating on these lands without Western Shoshone consent.

The shareholder sign-on letter was led by Boston Common Asset Management and includes six other faith-based health and investment services groups.

In the communication, the shareholders call upon Newmont to recognize and comply with the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley and to recognize Western Shoshone land ownership.

Newmont is pressed to maintain the cultural and spiritual integrity of the lands, and protect the environment (particularly issues of dewatering, cyanide use and mercury emissions).

Further, the shareholders group pressed Newmont to establish a Western Shoshone advisory committee, with inclusion of Western Shoshone in decision-making, transparency of company information, and financial and technical assistance.

Newmont, shareholders said, should comply with treaty obligations for ''fair compensation,'' including revenue sharing and royalty commitments, training and employment, joint venture work and scholarship and youth funding; and Newmont should establish a dispute resolution mechanism between the company and the Western Shoshone.

Urgent Action Needed To Stop Oil Exploration in the Sarstoon Temash Region in Belize

Proposed Oil Exploration Threatens Biodiversity and Indigenous Livelihoods in 41,000 Acre Park

We have reached a quarter of our goal, but we still need your help to collect 1,000 signatures! Please add your name to our online petition.

Cambridge, MA (May 11, 2006 ) -- The Texas-based USCapital Energy, Inc. is poised to begin seismic testing in the Sarstoon Temash National Park and indigenous traditional lands in southern Belize. Oil exploration could significantly change the ecological character of the fragile wetlands in the 41,000 acre national park and negatively affect the livelihoods of the indigenous Maya and Garifuna peoples living in the area. In response, on behalf of our Belizean partner NGO, we are writing to ask you to pressure the Belizean government to exclude the national park and surrounding community lands from all seismic testing and subsequent oil drilling.

Oil exploration in the national park may be a violation of Belize’s international treaty obligations under the Ramsar convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity. An environmental impact assessment, although required by Belizean law, has not been prepared.

Oil exploration in the park also constitutes an incursion into indigenous traditional lands, violating the rights of the Maya and Garifuna communities, as outlined by the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. In addition, the government of Belize has signed a co-management agreement with our local partner the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), which states that prior consent must be obtained from SATIIM and the park communities they represent before permits are granted for activities in the park. That consent has neither been sought nor granted.

Sarstoon Temash National Park was established by the government of Belize in 1994. It encompasses 14 eco-system types and includes 10 miles of coastline along Amatique Bay in the Gulf of Honduras. The park is home to 226 species of birds, 24 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles, including the endangered crocodile, 42 species of fish and 46 species of butterflies. The park contains the only comfra palm forest in Belize, the only known lowland sphagnum moss bog in Central America, and the best example of undisturbed red mangrove forest in the region. It also serves as an important wildlife corridor from other Belizean protected areas to Guatemala, protects the Belize Barrier Reef system, and is of high economic, cultural, and spiritual importance to the indigenous Maya and Garifuna communities living around it.

What You Can Do:

• Sign our online petition available by clicking here. We would like to collect 1,000 signatures as soon as possible! We will forward your signature to the authorities mentioned below.

• Or, click here to cut and paste the text of the draft letter SATIIM has prepared and email it directly to Honorable John Briceno, Minister of Natural Resources, Local Government and the Environment in Belize at minister@mnrei.gov.bz , with copies to Brian E. Richter, President, U.S. Capital Energy at brichter@uscapitalenergy.com; Wilbur Sabido, Chief Forest Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Forest Department at cfo@mnrei.gov.bz ; Andre Cho, Inspector of Petroleum, Geology and Petroleum Department at geology@mnrei.gov.bz; and Margarita Astralaga, Ramsar Secretariat at astralaga@ramsar.org. Please also copy info@ecologic.org and/or satiim@btl.net  so we can track the number of petitions sent.

• Send this urgent call for action to your environmental and social justice networks.

• Learn more about the Sarstoon Temash National Park, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), and oil exploration in southern Belize by visiting www.satiim.org.bz.

Support SATIIM by making a contribution and designating it "2006 Belize Campaign" on EcoLogic’s website. With a tax-deductible contribution, you will be helping the communities in southern Belize take action on the oil exploration issue and help us continue to protect the fragile Sarstoon Temash National Park and the livelihoods that depend on it. Just click on the "Donate Now" button or send a check to EcoLogic Development Fund , 25 Mt. Auburn St., Suite 203 , Cambridge , MA 02138 and note "Belize Campaign" on the memo section.

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The EcoLogic Development Fund advances the conservation of threatened ecosystems in rural areas where poverty is extreme by promoting sustainable livelihoods that affirm local cultures and by strengthening community participation in natural resource management. Learn more about our work at www.ecologic.org.

SATIIM's Mission:
To safeguard the ecological integrity of the Sarstoon-Temash region and employ its resources in an environmentally sound manner for the economic, social, cultural, and spititual well-being of its indigenous people.

FYI -- front page article in investors' news site on UN CERD Decision and corporate mining and Western Shoshone lands - check it out - and Indian Country Today Article highlighting indigenous protest at Shareholders meeting.

www.socialfunds.com/news/article.cgi/2002.html
May 11, 2006
by Bill Baue

Digging for More than Gold: SRI Letter Asks Newmont to Address Western Shoshone Concerns

The letter cites a recent decision by the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to support Western Shoshone claims.

SocialFunds.com -- Mining nowadays entails much more than just digging for gold. It also requires diplomacy and respect to obtain community consent and a "social license" to operate, especially from indigenous people with ancient claims to the land. Last year the Western Shoshone Nation petitioned the

United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN CERD) to weigh in on this very issue. The committee issued a decision this March calling on the United States to "freeze any plan to privatize Western Shoshone ancestral lands for transfer to multinational extractive industries and energy developers."

The decision could potentially have a chilling effect on Newmont Mining (ticker: NEM), the world largest gold miner, which operates on lands traditionally inhabited by the Western Shoshone in Nevada. A group of socially responsible investing (SRI) shareholders wrote Newmont Chair and CEO Wayne Murdy a letter on April 20 citing this UN decision as a primary reason for the company to take a proactive and responsible stance toward community engagement.

"This decision by UN CERD underscores the need for Newmont Mining to develop a policy towards Native American peoples in the United States and address the specific concerns of the Western Shoshone," wrote Lauren Compere, director of shareholder advocacy at Boston Common Asset Management, along with six other social investors. "By developing such a policy and by addressing Western Shoshone concerns, Newmont Mining will be able to show that it has the capacity to achieve community consent and social license to operate on ancestral Western Shoshone lands."

"The fact that an entity like the UN coming out so strongly on the side of the Western Shoshone and other indigenous people will have a reputational impact on Newmont," Ms. Compere told SocialFunds.com. "The UN decision is a wake-up call, adding fuel to the fire--it is extremely significant that the UN is coming out in saying that what the US did is not right and not legal."

The letter, which Newmont has not formally responded to though it told the shareholders it intends to, calls on Newmont to adopt a public policy to refrain from lobbying the US government for privatization and sale to Newmont of the Western Shoshone ancestral lands.

"We have never lobbied on privatization of Shoshone land," said Deb Witmer, vice president of communications for Newmont. She further explained how Newmont is essentially caught in the middle of a dispute between the US government, which owns title to the lands Newmont mines, and the Western Shoshone, which points to the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley as securing their claims to the land. "Many Shoshone argue that the Federal government has acquired the land illegally."

"We are bound by the law but we will always look for ways to respect the cultural interests and activities of indigenous people," Ms. Witmer told SocialFunds.com. "Where an indigenous Nation or a Tribe has a cultural or historical interest in land upon which the company is building a project, Newmont will work with them as an interested stakeholder, focusing on issues such as cultural resource preservation, economic development and employment, education and job training, and bilateral consultation on environmental impact studies, permitting and development of mitigation plans."

In addition to calling for fair compensation of the Western Shoshone for resources extracted from its lands, as provided by the Treaty of Ruby Valley, the SRI letter also calls on Newmont to adopt a policy for obtaining free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to new or expanded activity.

"There's not one company that we can uphold as being a leader on FPIC--Newmont certainly hasn't shown leadership in that area in the developing world, and they've shown it even less in their relationship with tribes in the US," said Ms. Compere. "I actually think Newmont has spent more time thinking about the structure of community relations and stakeholder engagement in developing countries than they have in their own back yard."

Newmont has been in the spotlight for controversies over community relations around the globe. In southern Ghana last November, police shot and killed a farmer when locals started protesting at a town meeting over how Newmont would compensation them fairly for its Ahafo project there.

In February of this year, Newmont and the Indonesian government settled a $133 million lawsuit over pollution near the company's Minahasa Raya mine, agreeing to scientific monitoring of the affected Buyat Bay region and enhanced community development programs in North Sulawesi. The company will provide $12 million in initial funding for the monitoring and community development programs, adding $18 million more over the next ten years. However, separate criminal proceedings alleging that heavy metals dumped from Minahasa Raya have caused illness in villagers remains active, with the company facing potential fines of $80,000 and ten years imprisonment for senior company officials.

While the notion of FPIC is embraced by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and SRI practitioners alike, Ms. Witmer calls it into question.

"'Free, prior and informed consent' is a wonderful phrase, but not easily defined," she told SocialFunds.com. "Local elected officials are there to represent the interests of local people--FPIC, in effect, argues for usurping power from local government authorities and giving it to activist groups."

"For our part, we must do a better job of communicating with communities and in addition, help build capacity within local governments," Ms. Witmer admitted.

Mining Industry publication on recent Newmont Mining Corp's annual shareholder meeting

www.mineweb.net/columns/american_notes/269285.htm

Major Mining's Impossible Dream; a Low-Profile AGM
By: Dorothy Kosich Apr. 26, 2006

DENVER--(Mineweb.com) For major mining companies, the quiet and mercifully brief annual general meeting is simply a relic of a by-gone era.

Tuesday's Newmont AGM provided an excuse for dual demonstrations by environmental and human rights NGOs, security overkill by local law enforcement, and the presence of curious journalists, who used to find these meetings boring and not newsworthy.

To celebrate the event, the Denver-based environmental NGO Stop Newmont Mining organized two days of education "in the classroom and in streets to create a better future for ourselves and for future generations." The education consisted of one day of environmental and human rights lectures at a local college campus with a second day of protests.

In Mineweb's unquenchable thirst for truth or, pursuit of a potentially good story, we braved both the environmentally correct lion's den and the Newmont AGM

Surprisingly, there were several talks at the Stop Newmont conference, which emphasized third-party monitoring, or scholarship, or even basic common sense among the usual emotional anti-mining rhetoric. Padre Marco Arana Zegarra is probably best known to the mining community for his interviews with the New York Times and the Public Television's Frontline. He has organized protests and demonstrations against Newmont's Yanacocha mine in Peru, which, at times, have been remarkably effective at capturing Newmont's and the media's attention.

In college, the soft-spoken priest studied water and hydrology issues, earning a master's degree, which now serves him well in the debate regarding mining's potential impacts on water quality and quantity. He is the diocesan priest for one of the poorest areas in Latin America. He believes his parishioners have the "right to live in peace" without worrying about long-term pollution and/or permanent harm to human health. Self-determination over the use of their land is as big issue for campensinos in Peru, coca growers in Ghana, and Native American ranchers in Crescent Valley, Nevada, as it is for the small homeowner in Middle America.

While the Padre wishes there was not a gold mine near Cajamarca, Peru, he is realistic enough to admit the mine and the community must co-exist. Nevertheless, Father Marco is adamant that Newmont not expand mining operations to watershed areas.

Coincidentally, Father Marco and Newmont Chairman and CEO Wayne Murdy agree on one very vital point: no matter how much Newmont pays in taxes, donates to the community, or how many local miners it employs, the local and regional governments lack the capacity to adequately address problems.

During the AGM, Murdy spoke of the outstanding Peruvian laboratory that Newmont has to test water samples pertaining to its operations. The priest prefers that an independent environmental agency, not located with the Department of Mines, monitor, test and enforce water quality in an efficient timeframe.

Murdy noted that numerous audits have been conducted of Newmont's environmental and social track record at Yanacocha. Nevertheless, he added, "water quality will always been an issue" so powerful that it actually helped stop the nearby Cerro Quillish project.

Kristi Begay, the Chairwoman of the Wells Band of the Western Shoshone in Nevada, would like Newmont to formally recognize the sovereignty of the Western Shoshone people to have a say over the future of their traditional territories. Murdy admitted Newmont could do better in its dealings with the Western Shoshone Nation. "We have made some headway. We are prepared to go a lot further," he declared to shareholders. Nevertheless, he conceded that a 2% Shoshone representation on a Newmont Northern Nevada workforce of hundreds is not something to brag about.

Julie Fishel, Executive Director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project and an attorney, reminded Newmont shareholders of potential corporate liability stemming from litigation, treaty rights issues, and UN declarations.

Paula Palmer, who helped organize the Stop Newmont meeting, asserted that the anti-mining protests in Indonesia and Peru are born out of the frustrations of local peoples with a foreign mining company, they believe, is not sufficiently addressing their concerns. Daniel Owuusu-Koranteg, Executive Director of the Wassam Association of Communities Affected by Mining in Acurra, Ghana, spent time the previous day extolling the benefits of coca trees to his people's way of life.

However, Murdy observed: "There is nothing romantic about subsistence farming and fishing." As Murdy, the World Bank, and a number of economists believe, developing nations are going through considerable change and dynamics in today's international economy, Internet-connected world. Like most North American parents, Indonesian, Peruvian and Ghanaian mothers and fathers may have dreams of a better life for their children, which include attending college. The bucolic, pastoral world of eco-tourism, livestock rearing, indigenous traditional ceremonies, and coca-bean farming that exists in the world of the NGOs may not necessarily be the primary goal of a nation striving to become a viable international trade partner.

Unfortunately, Newmont, like most mining companies, is not exactly spell-binding when it comes to convincing non-mining, ordinary folk to share its vision of a golden future. Folks like Father Marco understand the need for base metals mining and its role in the building of infrastructure to advance societies. The need for Central Banks, jewelers, and others to hold gold, and miners to move tons of rock for an ounce of gold is lost on quite a few ordinary folk.

Particularly frustrating is that Newmont is one of the few mining companies willing to stick its neck out and take the beatings from its stakeholders. The corporate philosophy of another major gold miner--to keep a low profile and not publicly discuss its foibles and strengths with special interest NGOs--is well known in mining circles. Nonetheless, even as this reporter writes, Newmont executives are meeting with the anti-Newmont NGOs in a search for common ground and positive solutions.

For a reporter who endured the "Evil Empire" days--when Newmont rarely returned press calls, or sometimes insisted journalists wear microphones and be recorded during interviews--today's Newmont has come a very long way in terms of community and media relations. Unfortunately, the folks at the Stop Newmont meeting are probably too young to recall the bad old days of general mining public and community relations.

Things are definitely better. Nevertheless, corporate could do a better job when it comes to convincing general managers that achieving positive partnerships with stakeholders may be as important as meeting production targets. This inked-stained wretch would be personally impressed if a corporate policy of transparency and open doors were applicable, say, to a Corporate Environmental Vice President, or a Regional Vice President of Nevada Mining Operations.

To a casual observer, Newmont's all-white, upper-class, well-compensated board of directors may not personally relate to the problems of an African subsistence farmer, a Peruvian Indian campensino, or a youthful Northern Nevada rural tribal leader.

Despite today's sophisticated world of multinational mining, a subsistence farmer or coca grower still lives according to a belief system, which values eye-to-eye contact and a face-to-face commitment by a mining CEO or president more than gold.

FYI - Let's see if Newmont really means it and appropriately addresses the fact that the United States is actively in violation of fundamental human rights of indigenous peoples (the Western Shoshone) within its own borders and within Newmont's operating areas. (Copy of the UN CERD decision is attached for reference).

April 25, 2006

Newmont CEO offers to work with communities at mines worldwide

By CATHERINE TSAI
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Las Vegas Sun

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - As protesters beat drums outside and critics raised questions inside, Newmont Mining Corp. CEO Wayne Murdy told the annual shareholders meeting Tuesday he was willing to work with communities around the company's gold mining operations worldwide. Marco Arana of Peru, speaking in Spanish, asked Murdy whether Newmont would pay its Peruvian workers salaries equivalent to its employees at its Denver headquarters.

Daniel Owusu-Koranteng of Ghana asked him to commit to improving the water supply there.

Representatives of a Shoshone Indian group in Nevada asked Newmont to promise not to seek privatization of Indian lands that are targets for mining.

Murdy said he has been talking to all the communities and is committed to working with them.

Newmont is one of the world's biggest gold producers. Last week, it reported its first-quarter net income more than doubled from the year before, to $209 million.

US-Western Shoshone Decision 1 (68).pdf or as .doc

On the Net: http://www.newmont.com

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/apr/25/042510048.html

April 25, 2006
More information: WSDP - J. Fishel, 775-397-1371 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newmont Shareholders Groups Support UN Decision and Western Shoshone - Call for New Corporate Policy on Indigenous Lands, including Treaty Recognition

Denver, Colorado (April 25, 2006). After an historic United Nations decision last month, a coalition of Newmont Mining shareholder groups have called upon Chairman and CEO Wayne Murdy, to respect the UN decision and to "develop a policy toward Native American peoples in the United States and address the specific concerns of the Western Shoshone." (Letter attached hereto). A delegation of Western Shoshone will address the CEO and Board of Newmont during today's Annual General Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Newmont currently operates gold mines across Western Shoshone territory in Nevada - equating to nearly 40% of its equity base and is seeking a host of new exploration in the area. Last month, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) rejected the United States' claim that Western Shoshone lands somehow transferred to "federal" or U.S. ownership putting into question the legality of Newmont and other corporations operating on these lands without Western Shoshone consent. (CERD decision attached).

The Shareholder sign on letter was led by Boston Common Asset Management and includes six other faith-based health and investment services groups. In the communication, the shareholders call upon Newmont to:

• recognize and comply with the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley (recognizing Western Shoshone land ownership);
• maintain the cultural and spiritual integrity of the lands, protect the environment (namely on issues of dewatering, cyanide use and mercury emissions);
• establish a Western Shoshone advisory committee, with inclusion of Western Shoshone in decision-making, transparency of company information and financial and technical assistance;
• comply with Treaty obligations for "fair compensation", including revenue sharing and royalty commitments, training and employment, joint venture work and scholarship and youth funding; and
• establish a dispute resolution mechanism between the company and the Western Shoshone.

Kristi Begay, Western Shoshone leader who addressed Newmont last year and returned this year: "We want to thank the shareholder groups for their support. Our land, water and air is sacred to us and is recognized by the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley and yet the government and the companies have been acting as if it means nothing. Our voice and our message remain unwaivering. We are here to speak for the land and for our inherent rights as traditional Western Shoshone and will continue to do so until our voice is heard and respected." Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone grandmother: "U.S. laws violate our basic rights as indigenous peoples - the U.S. claims that it can take Indian lands and push Indian peoples aside whenever and however it wants - that violates our human rights. If Newmont allows its company to merely go by those discriminatory laws, then they are a party to those violations as well. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination agreed with us last month and has told the U.S. to "freeze" any efforts to privatize our lands, and to "stop" any new mining projects or other resource extraction and exploitation."

Joseph Moon, Western Shoshone: "As a young native, I want to know more about these mining companies who are impacting our land, water, air and traditional beliefs. I want them to know that we, as young people, care about the survival of our people as Western Shoshone and we are part of this struggle. With elders passing on that just helps our bond become stronger and we realize more and more that we need to carry that torch as our elders have before us."

Julie Fishel, Western Shoshone Defense Project stated: "We are very pleased to receive the support of the shareholders. For too long, corporations have reaped huge benefits off the ongoing legacy of physical and spiritual genocide of indigenous peoples, and the destruction of our land, air and water. Times are changing and this behavior will no longer be tolerated. We are very disappointed in Newmont's posturing last year that they would listen to Shoshone concerns and instead, they turned around and supported the U.S. Mining Industry's legislative push to open up these same lands for privatization to benefit the companies. The United Nations committee was resoundingly clear on the issue of privatization and new exploration of mining: it must stop now."

Western Shoshone Defense Project
P.O. Box 211308
Crescent Valley, NV 89821
775-468-0230, 775-468-0237 (fax)
wsdp@igc.org

March 05, 2006

No new laws seen for mines

By Benjamin Grove grove@lasvegassun.com
Las Vegas Sun

WASHINGTON - Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have moved aggressively to curb airborne mercury emissions from coal-fired electric plants, but they have virtually ignored Nevada's mining industry - and apparently intend to continue doing so.

Even lawmakers who represent Idaho and Utah, which are suffering the effects of severe mercury pollution, are not planning any legislation, their aides said.

Nor are Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., who represents Northern Nevada, or Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., who generally enjoy a close relationship with the mining industry.

"Gold mining has really slipped under the radar," said Bill Eddie, an attorney for three environmental groups negotiating to strengthen federal rules on mercury emissions from Nevada mines.

Mining industry officials say they don't need more regulation because they have adopted strict new standards of their own to limit the "downwind" effects.

Eddie, who represents the Idaho Conservation League, Great Basin Mine Watch and Earthworks, said he hasn't turned to Congress for help - yet. So far, he has been working with the EPA and hopes the agency would eventually adopt new regulations. He sent a letter in October 2004 threatening to sue if the agency didn't better regulate gold-mining mercury, under provisions of the Clean Air Act.

"The mercury fallout from these (Nevada) gold facilities endangers the health of Idahoans and harms our environment," Eddie wrote. "Human exposure to unhealthy levels of mercury is potentially occurring via multiple vectors."

Government officials in Washington in recent years have mostly focused on mercury produced by coal-burning power plants. In March 2005, the EPA released a rule aimed at stricter mercury emissions rules on coal plants, a rule many Democrats said was not strict enough.

EPA environmental engineer Steven Frey said the agency has no plans to impose a national rule that would more strictly regulate gold mining mercury emissions. Instead, the agency hopes that Nevada will vote this week to impose its own mandatory controls.

"We consider that a very good step," Frey said.

The issue also is not on Congress' radar screen. One Idaho congressional source said no one on the lawmaker's staff had ever heard of the issue. There has been concern over a proposed Sempra Energy coal plant in southern Idaho, but not over Nevada's gold mining industry, said another source, Mark Warbis, spokesman for Rep. C.L. Otter, R-Idaho. Nevada lawmakers also said they have no plans to pursue legislation. Reid has been pleased with the industry's voluntary program and the EPA's involvement, Reid spokeswoman Sharyn Stein said.

"They seem to be on top of it and there doesn't seem to be a need for Congress to get involved," Stein said.

Gibbons and House Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., last year released a report about mercury titled, "Mercury in Perspective: Fact and Fiction About the Debate Over Mercury." It was billed as an exhaustive review of the science on mercury, although it focused mostly on power plant - not gold mine - mercury emissions. Nevada lawmakers, like many Western lawmakers, have a close relationship with the gold-mining industry. Mining interests gave Reid $109,000 in his 2004 campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign money. The industry gave Gibbons $66,000 in the 2002 and 2004 election cycles. It gave Ensign $87,000 from 2000 to 2004.

Benjamin Grove can be reached at (202) 662-7436 or at grove@lasvegassun.com. www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/business/2006/mar/05/566685690 .html