Tanzania: Bulyanhulu Project-01/Kankola

Date Filed
01 Jan 2002
Status
Closed
Phase
Assessment
Country
Tanzania

Case Tracker

Eligibility
Eligibility
Assessment
Closed
Assessment
Dispute Resolution
Compliance
CURRENT Status
Assessment
Closed

Complaint Overview

Complainant

Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT)

Cross-Cutting Issues
Land Resettlement Land Violence / Abuse

Project Information

Region
Africa
Institution
MIGA
Name & Number
Kahama Mining Corp. Ltd. 3661
Company
Barrick Gold Corp. of Canada
Sector
Mining, Oil, Gas and Chemicals
Department
Other
Category
n/a
Commitment

$56.25 million (Guarantee)

Synopsis

Complaint

Bulyanhulu Gold Mine is an underground mine and mill complex established by Kahama Mining Corp. Ltd (KHMC). The area in which the project is situated is an area where small scale miners have been highly active for many years. In January 2002, the Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT) lodged a complaint with CAO on behalf of the Small Scale Miners Committee of Kakola, Tanzania expressing the following concerns:

1. The process of consultation regarding eviction and land clearance as well as resettlement and compensation of small scale miners in 1996;

2. The transfer of concession to Barrick Gold upon its acquisition of Sutton Resources and the consequent resettlement of people in 1998;

3. Failure of MIGA to neither conduct thorough and competent due diligence nor address issues through consultation;

4. Human rights abuses as a result of the eviction process

Action

In 1994 the Government of Tanzania (GOT) granted a prospecting license to KHMC, a subsidiary of Sutton Resources. In June 1999, Barrick Gold obtained the property by purchasing Sutton Resources. In July 1995, GOT decreed that all small scale miners should leave the area, but action was not taken to ensure that the land was vacated. Barrick’s acquisition of the property ended IFC’s potential involvement in the project, however MIGA remained involved as a political risk insurer.

Status

In the Assessment Report, completed in October 2002, CAO highlighted that it did not believe that the project merited a compliance audit and were impressed with the way in which the mine was developing its social and environmental capacity. Following a site visit in March 2001, CAO determined that the available evidence indicated that the mine was not in fact culpable for the deaths of 52 miners. Furthermore, CAO found that the claims concerning the extent of forcible relocation were distorted. Finally, it was determined that the mines’ activities were in conformity with best practice as applicable to the mining industry. CAO stressed the unique opportunity posed by this project for all relevant parties to strengthen their partnership in order to achieve greater investment in local peoples. The complainants' response to CAO’s assessment was unfavorable and the case was closed in January 2005.

Case Documents

  • Dispute Resolution

    Assessment Report(s)
    Assessment Report Summary
    Feb 11, 2002
    English
    Assessment Report Summary
    Muhtasari wa ripoti ya uchunguzi malalamiko
    Feb 11, 2002
    Swahili
    Muhtasari wa ripoti ya uchunguzi malalamiko
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