Barrick Gold lawsuit alleges Quebec book is 'utter fiction'
07.05.2008 17:00
Arts
- Source: cbc.ca
Barrick Gold Corp. has sued a small Quebec publisher over a book that alleges the company played a role in the expropriation of land belonging to Tanzanian miners more than a decade ago. The company is seeking $6 million from the authors of Noir Canada: Pillage, corruption et criminalit en Afrique and its publisher, Les ditions cosocit Inc., for alleged libel contained in the book, which explores the role of Canadian companies in Africa. The book claims that Canadian mining company Sutton Resources used bulldozers to remove independent workers and their families from land in Bulyanhulu, Tanzania – an event in which more than 50 people were buried alive. Barrick Gold later bought Sutton Resources. The lawsuit, filed last week, accuses the authors – Alain Deneault, Delphine Abadie and William Sacher – of apparent inaccuracies in their section on the Bulyanhulu event that the company alleges have smeared its reputation. "They have made outrageous allegations," said Barrick Gold spokesman Vincent Borg. "It's utter fiction." The authors of the book are arguing the book was well researched and is protected by free speech and that Canadians have a right to know how their investments are being spent. cosocit says it can't afford to defend itself against the lawsuit, which is seeking an amount that is about 25 times higher than the non-profit publishing house's annual profit. "This is a winning strategy for Barrick Gold, because even if they lose, they will paralyze Les ditions cosocit," said spokesman Serge Mongeau. A threatening letter sent by Barrick Gold to cosocit last month forced the postponement of the book's launch. But the publisher eventually distributed 1,700 copies of the book. With files from Jonah EnglePost a commentPeople have commented on this storyRecommend this storyPeople have recommended this storyStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKStory comments (0)Sort:Most recent | First to last | Most recommendedPost your commentNote: The CBC does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are pre-moderated/reviewed and published according to our submission guidelines. Comment:Characters allowed: 2500PostSubmission policyRelatedInternal LinksSoaring gold prices boost bottom line at BarrickArts HeadlinesCanadian sex educator Johanson ending TV call-in show00Canadian sex educator Sue Johanson is ending her six-season run on Sunday night's Talk Sex.Egoyan's Adoration picked up by Sony00Sony Pictures has picked up the distribution rights to Atom Egoyan's latest film, Adoration, starring Arsinee Khanjian and Scott Speedman. Furtado to be honorary fellow at Toronto's Royal Conservatory00Canadian singer Nelly Furtado will be given an honorary fellowship by the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto at its gala May 28.Dancap sues to block sale of Toronto theatres to Mirvish00Toronto theatre group Dancap Productions is suing Key Brand Entertainment and Ed Mirvish Enterprises, alleging they engaged in secret negotiations that led to the sale of two Toronto theatres. Ellen Page to go Gothic in Jane Eyre00Halifax-born actress Ellen Page is set to take on one of the most enduring fictional romances in British literature, Jane Eyre. Arts FeaturesThe reluctant entertainerThe journey of singer, rapper and Feist producer GonzalesDisc of the weekNeil Diamond's Home Before DarkThe mouth that roarsBritish author Martin Amis defends his new book on 9/11Another green worldA survey of Canadian environmental artInside Abu GhraibFilmmaker Errol Morris trains his lens on the infamous Iraqi prisonOld maidMade of Honor is a tired retread of better nuptial rom-comsPeople who read this also read …
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