In New South Wales, Australia, Toronto-based Barrick Gold has plans to construct an open-pit cyanide leach gold mine on the shore of Lake Cowal, the largest lake and inland wetland ecosystem in the state. But on a continent where 89 percent of wetlands have already been destroyed, some are fighting hard to protect this important bird habitat. The Cowal Gold Project is also under attack because it would be situated in the sacred heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation, the largest Aboriginal nation in New South Wales and one of the largest in Australia.

Lake Cowal is home to endangered flora and fauna, including migratory bird species listed in the China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (CAMBA) and the Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement (JAMBA). 277 bird species have been recorded or are considered as possible occurrences in the Lake Cowal region. It is listed in the Australian Heritage Council’s Register of the National Estate (a list of important natural and cultural heritage sites in Australia) and in its Directory of Important Wetlands. In addition, the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service has acknowledged that Lake Cowal meets the criteria for protection under the International Convention on Wetlands (the Ramsar Convention) -- which Australia is party to.

The Cowal gold mine would consist of an open pit (one kilometer long, 825 meters wide, and 325 meters deep) and use the cyanide-leach gold extraction process. During its 13 year life, the mine would transport 6000 tonnes of cyanide per year from Gladstone in Queensland to Lake Cowal for the extraction of gold. Mining waste would be stored in open tailings dams 3.5 kilometers from the lake shoreline. The area is situated on the Lachlan River flood plain and is subject to regular flooding, increasing the risk of cyanide spills and arsenic seepage.

The Wiradjuri traditional owners oppose the development of a mine on their sacred lands, which contain ancient artifacts and old growth trees that are an important part of Wiradjuri culture and heritage. Some of the artifacts are thousands of years old and are thought to represent Aboriginal tool-making and camping sites. Neville Williams, a Wiradjuri elder explains, "Our sacred lands and artifacts at Lake Cowal are an intrinsic part of our religion and our heritage...It is unacceptable that the New South Wales Government should issue a 'consent to destroy' permit to desecrate our sacred site at Lake Cowal...The government has an obligation to protect our cultural heritage." Williams represents over 1000 Wiradjuri people who oppose the mine.

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