Tribal mining protest

Western Shoshone met in Denver last week with executives of Newmont Mining about the company’s use of cyanide on publicly managed lands in Nevada. Tribal members also protested the practices in a demonstration at the Colorado capitol building. Newmont’s U.S. headquarters is in Denver.

A company spokesperson tried to divert attention to Barrick Gold, saying that one of the projects tribal members mentioned was Barrick’s Mt. Tenabo project. But Newmont has numerous other mines in Nevada between Winnemucca and Carlin. The company made no commitments on its use of cyanide.

Many corporate mines in Nevada are on federally managed land that is also claimed by the tribes. The Shoshone do not seek intervention by the mining companies in that dispute, but do want the land protected.