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Taking it to the Top
On 17th July 2004 at 8:30am a team of four Romanian mountaineers reached the peak of Europe's highest mountain (4807m) to display the 'Save Rosia Montana' banner to express their support for the campaign.
Rosia Montana, Romania 2. August 2004 – Whilst Gabriel's (TSX:GBU) shares continue their bumpy downward ride with record lows of $1.20 during July, the 'Save Rosia Montana' campaign is flying high; this time on top of Mont Blanc. On 17th July 2004 at 8:30am a team of four Romanian mountaineers reached the peak of Europe's highest mountain (4807m) situated on the Franco-Italian border to display the 'Save Rosia Montana' banner to express their support for the campaign.
Rosia Montana Gold Corporation (RMGC) which is 80% owned by Canadian-based Gabriel Resources ('Gabriel') intends to realize Europe's largest open cast gold mining project in Rosia Montana; entailing amongst other, the involuntary resettlement of over 2000 people and the destruction of unique archaeological sites. From its onset the development has been beleaguered with scandals and operational problems; including vehement local, national and international opposition. From Bucharest to London and Washington, from Budapest to Brussels and Toronto, the 'Save Rosia Montana' campaign has led to an unprecedented wave of protests growing by the day. According to a poll conducted just over a week ago by OTV, a major Romanian TV channel, 95% of the callers expressed their opposition to Gabriel's project. From famous musicians to prestigious academicians, from village priests to church authorities, from archaeologists, sociologists, geologists and mining experts; Romania's civil society at large is united in articulating itself against Gabriel's risky development and the destruction of Rosia Montana; situated at the heart of Romania's beautiful Apuseni Mountains.
On 16th July 2004 four mountaineers from Tirgu-Mures started ascending the Mont Blanc; taking the regular route from the so-called 'Gouter Hut' to the peak and back to down to Chamoix. Working their way in windy, snowy and cold weather conditions, the climb and descend lasted for eight hours. The team's climb was sponsored amongst other; by Onyx Com, GSM, Atta, Mountain Experts, Scopus, Carbonale, Rodica General Store, Ego Store and Radio Tirgu Mures.
"It was a great and intense experience. As we were ascending I was thinking of the mountain; of its kindness to receive us. I was thinking of the people of Rosia Montana, their efforts, their inspiring personalities and strength to insist on their way of life and values. With every single step I was paying a tribute to their struggle and joy of living. It is an honor to support their campaign and truth is on their side. Climbing Mont Blanc was a symbolic gesture and our support does not end here. We will continue this experience next year with the Caucasus Mountains; climbing the Ushba and Elbrus peaks," said 27-year old Sabin Muresan, one of the mountaineers upon his return to Romania. On behalf of PATRIR, one of Alburnus Maior's partner organizations, Mr Muresan has been actively involved in the 'Save Rosia Montana' campaign since over two years. Mr Muresan has visited and worked in Rosia Montana on many occasions.
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For more information please contact Sabin Muresan on + 40 (0) 7447 76 797 or +40 (0) 264 420 298 and sabin@patrir.ro .
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