THE 'FREE TRADE' ASSAULT ON CLEAN WATER

[Judi Lynn]

THE 'FREE TRADE' ASSAULT ON CLEAN WATER
Reprinted by World War 4 Report, April 22, 2016

Mining Companies Sue Colombia for 'Right' to Pollute



by Pete Dolack, Systemic Disorder

Yet another standoff between clean drinking water and mining profits has taken shape in Colombia, where two corporations insist their right to pollute trumps human health and the environment. As is customary in these cases, it is clean water that is the underdog here.

Two million people are dependent on water from a high-altitude wetlands, which is also a refuge for endangered species, that a Canadian mining company, Eco Oro Minerals Corporation, wants to use for a gold mine. The wetlands, the Santurbán páramo in the Andes, has been declared off-limits for mining by Colombia’s highest court due to the area’s environmental sensitivity. Eco Oro is suing the Colombian government because of this under the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

The dispute will likely be heard by a secret tribunal that is an arm of the World Bank, even though the World Bank has provided investment capital for Eco Oro to develop the mine.

Eco Oro has not said how much money it intends to ask for, but another mining company, the U.S.-based Tobie Mining and Energy Inc., has separately sued Colombia for $16.5 billion because the government refused to allow it to establish a gold mine in a national park. To put that $16.5 billion in perspective, the total represents more than 20 percent of Colombia’s budget.

More:
http://ww4report.com/node/14773

This article first appeared in Systemic Disorder on April 13.

[Hoyt]

1. The mining company has no chance of mining there. However, if

it is shown they were promised the right to mine by government officials, built mines, etc., they might have a case for compensation for what they have to leave behind. Even that will be tough. But, the mining company can't change the law as Nationalists try to convince us.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Keep this U.S. mining company out of Colombia's Amazon

Keep this U.S. mining company out of Colombia's Amazon

A U.S. mining company has launched a $16.5 billion lawsuit against Colombia.

What did Colombia do to earn this dubious distinction? Well, the government stopped a deadly gold mine that was threatening the Amazon rainforest.

Not only does the Colombian government have a right to protect the world’s most diverse rainforest from profit-hungry mining interests -- it has a duty to do so.

This lawsuit is just but one example of corporations undermining national sovereignty for the sake of private profits. We can't let corporations sue governments when they can't make a profit.

Tell Tobie Mining and Energy to drop its lawsuit.

Tobie Mining and Energy executives claim that Colombia created a National Park in the Amazon rainforest where the mining giant had a concession to mine for gold. Under the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Tobie claims Colombia is liable for the company’s lost investment.

Tobie’s lawsuit demands that Colombia reverse its decision and allow the company to mine for gold in the national park, or fork over $16.5 billion -- more than 22 percent of Colombia’s national budget.

More:
https://actions.sumofus.org/a/keep-this-u-s-mining-company-out-of-colombia-s-amazon/?source=homepage

[Duppers]

4. Signed.

Thx to you.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Tobie Mining and Energy sues Columbia for $16.5 Billion under US-Columbia Free Trade Agreement (Hill

Tobie Mining and Energy sues Columbia for $16.5 Billion under US-Columbia Free Trade Agreement (Hillary’s work, as was the Keystone XL) because they can’t destroy a National Park in the Amazon Rainforest.
Apr. 1, 2016 4:46 am

By telliottmbamsc

Another scenario that will be increasing likely if the TPP is allowed into law. This from the SumOfUs: A U.S. mining company has launched a $16.5 billion lawsuit against Colombia. What did Colombia do to earn this dubious distinction? Well, the government stopped a deadly gold mine that was threatening the Amazon rainforest. Not only does the Colombian government have a right to protect the world’s most diverse rainforest from profit-hungry mining interests -- it has a duty to do so. This lawsuit is just but one example of corporations undermining national sovereignty for the sake of private profits. We can't let corporations sue governments when they can't make a profit.

- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/users/telliottmbamsc/blog/2016/04/tobie-mining-and-energy-sues-columbia-165-billion-under-us-columbi#sthash.OANMwKeB.dpuf