Opponents of a big mining project in the Dominican Republic asked a judge to halt the Canadian company’s operation until it addresses their concerns over the environmental impact. A consortium involving Barrick Gold and Goldcorp is making a $3 billion investment to reopen the Pueblo Viejo mine and plans to begin extracting gold, silver and other minerals late next year.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10462.
Barrick is a Canadian company but London-based AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd had over $10 million invested in the company in 2007, BlackRock Commodities Income Trust plc has invested in the company, and the company also has connections with Millhouse Capital, controlled by London resident Roman Abramovich, and New City Investment Managers Ltd/NCIM (UK).  Goldcorp is also a Canadian company but among its major investors are British-based AXA Investment Managers UK Ltd (US$4.3 million), Blackrock Commodities Income Trust plc, and City Natural Resources High Yield Trust PLC.
(See From Money to Metals by Roger Moody, http://moneytometal.org/index.php/From_Money_to_Metals.)