Barrick Responds to Allegations of Rights Abuse in Tanzania

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This is the first time the Canadian gold giant has faced legal action in its home country over alleged abuse abroad, but it has previously faced allegations in the UK in 2020. The plaintiffs were assisted by two non-profit organisations, RAID and Miningwatch Canada, and were represented by UK law firm Hugh James.

In the statement, Barrick said it understands that law firm Leigh Day, together with corporate watchdog RAID, has brought or intends to bring action in the UK against the London Bullion Market. Association in connection with the alleged murder of two people in the vicinity of the North Mara gold mine in Tanzania by the police acting on his behalf. Barrick said it was not a party to these proceedings.

Barrick chief executive Mark Bristow said the group was proud of its global human rights record and North Maras’ strong working relationship with the communities around the mine.

Many mine workers were recruited from surrounding villages and in line with other Barricks operations, Barrick said, adding that North Mara prioritizes local employment and procurement.

Although the vast majority of local residents abide by the law, there are gangs of well-organized, armed thugs who occasionally invade North Mara to steal gold-bearing rock, posing a serious safety risk to the staff of the town. mine and community. members in the process, Bristow said.

Just last month, North Mara was attacked by an armed force of almost 100 men. Despite police attempts to push them back, 71 managed to scale the site’s 30-foot-high perimeter wall and engage with unarmed mine security personnel, Bristow said.

The police eventually removed them but one of the invaders suffered fatal injuries. Two of the police officers were also injured. It was far from a one-time event. North Mara lives under the constant threat of such invasions.

Bristow said Barrick had made it clear that security personnel at North Maras were unarmed and that the mine did not supervise, direct, control or instruct any mission, assignment or function of the Tanzanian police, which is a state institution.

The implication of RAID called into question

Bristow said Barrick was troubled by RAID’s involvement in the litigation and claimed the organization had a long history of unsubstantiated allegations of alleged human rights abuses at North Mara.

Barrick was also concerned that vulnerable members of local communities could be persuaded to make legally baseless claims outside their country in the hope of obtaining compensation.

RAID has no presence in Tanzania and has shown no interest in visiting the mine, despite personal invitations to them, most recently in July this year, Bristow said.

Last month, a scheduled visit was canceled 48 hours before RAID was due to be at the site, Barrick noted, adding that he remains willing to arrange such a visit so that RAID can raise concerns with the mine management, police, local administrators and community leaders.

It should be noted that in a recent meeting we had with the leaders of the eleven villages around North Mara, they said they had no knowledge of RAID or the work it claims to be doing in their communities , and rejected the organization.[‘s] baseless allegations, Bristow said.

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