Barrick, the second-biggest gold miner by market value, could face a civil trial seeking unspecified damages for 32 Tanzanians living near North Mara in the East African country. They’re backed by Toronto law firm Waddell Phillips, Vancouver’s CFM Lawyers and anti-mining groups such as the Ottawa-based MiningWatch Canada. North Mara, which Barrick took over in 2019, produced about 63,000 oz. in this year’s second quarter.
Killings alleged
“Barrick’s security strategy for the North Mara mine effectively converts the Tanzanian police assigned to operate in and around the mine into a private and heavily armed security force for the mine,” the plaintiffs said in their November 2023 statement of claim.
“This security strategy ‘has led directly to extensive human rights abuses’ and ‘acts of extreme violence committed by the Mine Police’ resulting in deaths, shootings, beatings and torture of local villagers,”…
