Security
Since 2010, we have been a member of the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) and followed the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs), in our dealings with public and private security providers, local communities and potential victims of human rights violations. The VPs require us to embed human rights principles in contractual requirements with security providers. We require security personnel at our sites to undergo pre-employment screening that includes a criminal background check. Contractor security personnel must also provide a proof of background check when assigned to the site.
Security personnel also receive specific training on human rights, the VPs and Barrick’s Use of Force Procedure, which is aligned with the United Nations Guidelines for the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Barrick employees do not carry firearms. Our mines in Zambia, Peru, DRC, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Tanzania and the Dominican Republic have memoranda of understandings in place with public security agencies, all of which reflect the terms of the VPs. The Porgera Joint Venture has a memorandum of understanding with local police forces in Papua New Guinea, which also reflects the terms of the VPs.
During the year, all employees who completed the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics online refresher training underwent updated training on human rights compliance as part of the course.
Full details of our approach can be found in our Human Rights Management Approach.
Supporting procedures
We have a series of procedures to ensure implementation of the expectations outlined in the VPs:
- The Arrest and Detention Procedure outlines how to carry out an arrest in a manner that complies with international human rights law and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
- Our Procedure for Managing Relationships and Agreements with Public Security (Police / Military) details how to best engage with public security to comply with the VPs, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and our Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption policies.
- The Security Code of Conduct outlines the minimum standards for the treatment of others by private security personnel and sets standards for ethical and lawful behavior by all employees.
- The Use of Force Procedure establishes the way force can be used by security personnel to comply with international standards and law.