For immediate release

Toronto – Today, dozens of organizations from Canada, El Salvador and around the world will confront Canadian-Australian mining company Oceana Gold, whose subsidiary is suing El Salvador for $301 million (USD). El Salvador’s offence:  refusing to a grant a permit to a gold mine that would contaminate 60 per cent of the population’s drinking water.

In October 2013, Oceana Gold acquired Canadian-based Pacific Rim Mining, which was in the midst of a lawsuit. After acquiring the company, Oceana Gold upped its lawsuit from $70 million to $301 million (USD).

In anticipation of next week’s court case – to be heard on Monday, September 15 at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington, D.C. – the Council of Canadians, the Latin American Solidarity Network, the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network and others will descend on the company’s Toronto headquarters to present a letter from people affected by the decision. The letter demands that the company withdraw the lawsuit.

The date of the court case, September 15, coincides with El Salvador’s Independence Day, an irony that was not lost on the groups protesting. READ MORE