Indigenous Ngöbes defend their lands

The following article appeared in La Estrella Panamá on June 15, 2009.

La Estrella - 15 de junio 2009
ZELODETH CORTEZ periodistas@laestrella.com.pa

Dominion Minerals Corp. expects to drill 26 new test holes in indigenous territory

Ngöbe Buglé Comarca. Indigenous groups in the Ngöbe Buglé Comarca report that a large area of destroyed forest, landslides, and a lack of native fauna characterize the intended area of operation near the Dominion Minerals mining camp.

Forty indigenous delegates from various locations in the comarca participated in a 3-day tour of the Chorcha Mining Project, located in Guariviara in the district of Kankintú. The groups were accompanied by Father Joseph Fitzgerald, from the Catholic Church of Soloy, and Marian Thorpe, an environmental student from Yale University in the United States.

At the camp, the indigenous groups found sites ready for the next drilling stage, which includes Dominion Minerals’ expected 26 new test holes. According to the camp caretakers, the drilling equipment arrived 5 months ago, but the company then removed the equipment 2 months ago. Still remaining on site are 2 water pumps for drilling, 3 wooden platforms, a metal platform, and some 500 wooden boxes for transporting ore.

Original article in Spanish: Indígenas ngöbes defienden tierras