Barrick Gold Corporation is dedicated to recognizing and respecting human rights wherever we do business. Barrick’s Corporate Social Responsibility Charter affirms our commitment to observe the fundamental tenets of human rights. This commitment is embedded in our corporate culture and is aligned with the principles in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All our employees are to be treated with respect and dignity, and abide by our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
We are committed to providing equal opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all our employees and contractors, to uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor, and to support the effective abolition of child labor. Our commitment to these rights led Barrick, in 2005, to become a signatory to the U.N. Global Compact. This initiative promotes corporate citizenship by directly involving business in tackling some of the major social and environmental challenges that arise from increasing globalization. The ten principles of the Global Compact are based on internationally recognized norms and conventions in four critical areas: Human Rights, Labor Standards, the Environment, and Anti-corruption. Barrick has long been committed to the principles of the U.N. Global Compact. By signing on to the Global Compact, Barrick signaled its commitment to continue integration of the ten principles into its culture, strategy, and day-to-day operations.
As a member of the International Council on Mining and Metals (“ICMM”), Barrick is committed to conducting business in accordance with that organization’s Sustainable Development Principles. The Principles include a commitment to “uphold fundamental human rights and respect culture, customs, and values in dealing with employees and others who are affected by our activities.” As part of this commitment, Barrick will:
- Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are instituted and implemented to ensure that human rights are being fully respected;
- Promote human rights through engagement with host governments, local communities, civil society, and our employees and contractors;
- Engage with local stakeholders to understand the local context and determine the most effective means of promoting human rights and respecting local communities, and assess the impact of operations on social factors, including human rights;
- Support the investigation and appropriate remediation of human rights violations;
- Ensure that grievance mechanisms are in place at all sites to allow effective reporting of human rights concerns, and protect all employees who timely report suspected human rights violations;
- Provide culturally appropriate human rights education, training, and guidance to all relevant staff; and
- Implement proactive human rights programs when operating in challenging areas with high social and political risks.
Suppliers
When engaging suppliers and business partners, we endeavor to avoid being complicit in or encouraging any activities that may result in human rights abuses. Where possible, we also seek to influence the behavior of our suppliers and business partners by drawing attention to human rights issues, such as safety in the workplace. To that end, Barrick requires its suppliers to abide by the Barrick Supplier Code of Ethics, and pursues other avenues to ensure its suppliers abide by Barrick’s standards and expectations.
Security
Barrick is a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (“Voluntary Principles”). The Voluntary Principles guide and dictate our engagement with host nation military and police representatives that provide external security and response assistance, ensuring that human rights principles are reinforced in contractual requirements, guidelines on the use of force, relevant training, and other relevant areas. In geopolitically complex regions, Barrick’s security personnel receive mandatory human rights training and training in the requirements of the Voluntary Principles. More information about Barrick’s approach to security and human rights can be found in its Security Policy.
Sovereign Governments
While the primary responsibility for human rights lies with local and national government, we are committed to working with and helping host governments avoid human rights violations. That includes a responsibility to promote human rights by contributing to public debate, supporting international agreements and commitments, identifying opportunities to constructively engage government on human rights issues relevant to our business in the host country, and helping to ensure the existence of appropriate systems to ensure that victims of human rights abuses have access to reasonable remedies.
Barrick’s Human Rights Compliance Measures
We require each operational site to adhere to Barrick’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and human rights requirements, and we will provide support and guidance to assist them in complying with that mandate. In addition, in most countries where we operate there are relevant local laws that overlap with our human rights requirements, including criminal laws, child labor laws, freedom of association laws, equality of economic opportunity laws, and compensation-related laws. Barrick requires that all employees adhere to such local laws, and will provide relevant training and instruction in that regard.
We also expect employees worldwide to alert us to potential violations of Barrick’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We have a toll-free Compliance Hotline that permits employees and external stakeholders to provide reports on a confidential basis and in their own language.
Annually, we conduct a survey of relevant employees that requires certification of compliance with all business conduct (including applicable laws and regulations), anti-corruption, and conflict of interest policies. We also have an internal audit system that includes a review of compliance with local laws.