North Mara Update – September 2011
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African Barrick Gold (ABG) and Barrick Gold Corporation have undertaken a series of initiatives to ensure respect for human rights, strengthen security and improve relations with local communities near the North Mara mine. The following provides an update on the status of these actions, which reflect company commitments made in a May 30, 2011 statement.
Background
On May 16, a group of up to 1,500 intruders stormed the ore stockpile at the North Mara mine. Given the large number of aggressive intruders and the escalating threat of violence, ABG contacted the Tanzanian police for assistance. Following a confrontation between police and armed intruders, authorities reported that five intruders were killed and a number of police officers were injured.
The government of Tanzania formed a committee to investigate the May 16 incident at North Mara and related law and order challenges. This committee includes representatives from the police, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other elected officials. The committee has been carrying out investigations in the North Mara area since June and is expected to report back to government once its work is complete. African Barrick Gold officials have been cooperating fully with this investigation.
Unrelated to the events of May 16, ABG learned of disturbing allegations of sexual assaults by police and mine security around the North Mara mine. After conducting preliminary inquiries, ABG launched a full investigation and urged Tanzanian police to do the same. To date, ABG investigators have conducted more than 200 interviews and have provided relevant information to police. Police investigations remain ongoing.
Barrick is unwavering in its commitment to respect human rights at all of its operations and those of its affiliates. We have a zero-tolerance approach to human rights violations. The company is also committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we operate. We seek to contribute to sustainable economic development in ways that are both good for business and good for communities. The North Mara mine has unique challenges, many of which pre-date Barrick, and subsequently ABG’s ownership of the operation. However, neither company will shy away from these challenges.
Nine actions to reduce conflict and support human rights at North Mara
African Barrick Gold has partnered with internationally-recognized NGO Search for Common Ground to facilitate conflict resolution, help re-build trust and improve collaboration between the North Mara mine and the local community. Active in 27 countries, Search for Common Ground uses a multi-faceted approach, working with local partners to find culturally appropriate ways to deal with conflicts constructively, to understand differences and act on commonalities. Representatives from Search for Common Ground are undertaking the following activities around North Mara:
- Providing training on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights to Tanzanian police
- Developing a conflict reduction, resolution and negotiation training program for community members, including leaders, traditional authorities (elders), youth and women.
- Creating culturally-appropriate educational materials to inform community members about the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, U.N. guidelines on the use of force by law enforcement officials, sexual harassment, community policing and universal human rights. These materials will be delivered using live performances and comic books.
- Designing an external grievance mechanism to deal with community concerns. This will be used for historical grievances as well as present and future concerns.
- Facilitating a negotiation process between the company and the communities on a range of issues of concern, such as resettlement.
- Designing alternative sources of economic development to help reduce poverty in the area and, as result, reduce the number of intruders in the mine.
- Evaluating an appropriate remedy program for victims of sexual assault, aligned with international human rights norms.
- Developing a proposal for specific initiatives to help address violence against women in the Mara region.
- Organizing sporting events with mixed teams comprised of community representatives, police, mine employees and district government officials. These activities will be paired with conflict resolution sessions that focus on building collaborative, community spirit.
Eight actions to improve security for the benefit of all
In addition to the community-based programs described above, the North Mara mine has advanced numerous initiatives to improve and enhance security arrangements, strengthening the mine’s alignment with international human rights standards. The mine has taken action in the following areas:
- Completed a review of the mine’s security perimeter to identify improvements. Construction is now underway on a new 14-kilometer security wall to prevent illegal miners from accessing hazardous areas. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2012.
- GPS tracking functionality has been added to security radios, allowing for better oversight and coordination of security personnel at the mine.
- Additional CCTV cameras have been installed in sensitive areas at the mine. New camera equipment has also been ordered to support the upgraded security wall.
- Hired additional female security officers for strategic deployment on the mine site where potential for sexual harassment exists. Newly recruited female officers are now undergoing training.
- Mandatory human rights training for ABG security has been upgraded to encompass sexual assault issues. All ABG security personnel have participated in updated training.
- Upgraded procedures for escalation of human rights allegations have been developed and are now being implemented.
- New materials and information to improve understanding of the inherent dangers associated with illegal mining and intrusions on the mine site have been distributed in nearby communities. This builds on previous public education campaigns.
- African Barrick Gold and the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs have completed a review of existing security arrangements with police in the North Mara area. The review recommended that African Barrick Gold continue to operate under an existing memorandum of understanding with police while security upgrades are underway. Once new perimeter fencing and other enhanced security features are complete, both parties will review progress with the intention of shifting resources to community policing activities and capacity building for local law enforcement.
African Barrick Gold triples investment in Community
Along with improvements to security and law and order, African Barrick Gold has significantly increased its investment in community programs at North Mara and at its other operations. Since May, ABG has created the Maendeleo Fund, the largest corporate community development fund in Tanzania with an annual commitment of $10 million.
- Maendeleo Fund investments will focus on community development, health, education, environment, water projects, skills and training programs, and will include support to non-governmental organizations with demonstrated capacity to deliver on community development initiatives.
- The Fund will also finance various philanthropic initiatives, sponsorships and partnerships.
- ABG is investing $2 million to construct a 60-kilometer water pipeline that will service the Bulyanhulu mine and nearby communities. In addition to supporting mine operations, the pipeline will supply fresh water to an estimated 150,000 people in a region where access to clean water is in short supply.
- Click here to learn more about African Barrick Gold’s community development projects in Tanzania.
Strengthening global human rights compliance
Barrick has adopted a new corporate human rights policy based on international best practices and is now implementing a global human rights compliance program. Progress is underway in numerous areas, including:
- New human rights, labor and indigenous peoples policies.
- New procedures for reporting and investigating human rights allegations.
- Human rights training for employees, suppliers and other stakeholders.
- New procedures related to employee hiring and due diligence requirements for certain employees and third party suppliers.
- Human rights assessments to be conducted by third-party experts at all Barrick operations and projects, including those of its affiliates and subsidiaries, encompassing leading human rights indicators, including sexual violence.