Timbarra protesters attacked

Timbarra protesters attacked

By Bernie Wunsch

LISMORE — Police and mining company employees have violently attacked and injured protesters and local residents at the gates of the Timbarra gold mine near Tenterfield in north-eastern NSW.

Thirty-five protesters have been arrested in protest actions against construction of the mine.

The mine is opposed by environmentalists, local residents and Aboriginal people who are concerned about the destruction of heritage sites and endangered species' habitats and water pollution from the mine.

Protesters constructed tripods to block the access road on October 16. Police and company employees arrested protesters, dragged them off the road and smashed a video camera filming the action.

On October 17, 16 people were arrested as protesters continued to blockade the road. Two protesters have been hospitalised, one with a broken wrist.

The protesters are continuing their blockade and protests. They anticipate that cyanide for processing the gold will arrive soon.

For information on the protest camp, phone Southern Cross University SRC on (02) 6620 3044 or Peter Stanford on (02) 6737 6793.

From GLW issue 338