LBMA to face trial in London over lawsuit by families of Tanzanian miners — TimesLIVE
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) will appear before the High Court in London, United Kingdom, on October 7 in a case brought by the families of two Tanzanian citizens. The claimants seek to establish that the association owed a duty of care to alleged victims of human rights violations at the North Mara gold mine in Tanzania, TimesLIVE reports.
Claimants’ allegations
The lawsuit was filed in 2022 by the British law firm Leigh Day, which represents the families of two Tanzanians. The claimants have been granted anonymity. They intend to prove in court that two artisanal miners were allegedly killed in July and December 2019 at North Mara by representatives of the Tanzanian police, private security guards, or both.
Reuters noted that it was unable to independently verify these allegations. Representatives of the Tanzanian government and police did not respond to requests for comment. The first stage of the trial is due to end on November 9, while closing submissions are scheduled for November 19–20.
Barrick Mining gained operational control of North Mara in September 2019 after acquiring Acacia Mining. Barrick and the Tanzanian government own 84% and 16% of the mine, respectively. The company declined to comment on the case.
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Positions of the parties
LBMA maintains the Good Delivery List, a global standard for wholesale gold and silver bars. The list’s rules prohibit refineries from working with gold from sources linked to human rights violations, conflicts or crimes.
The claimants allege that LBMA acted negligently by continuing the accreditation of Indian refinery MMTC-PAMP, which processed gold from North Mara in 2019. In their view, suspending or threatening to suspend the accreditation could have increased pressure on MMTC-PAMP, Acacia and subsequently Barrick to stop the alleged abuses by the Tanzanian police.
LBMA rejects the lawsuit and says it acted in accordance with its own rules and recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The association said it relied on MMTC-PAMP’s reporting on compliance with requirements and independent audits. MMTC-PAMP told Reuters that it undergoes an independent compliance review of LBMA rules every year and no longer purchases gold from North Mara.
Barrick’s 2024 sustainability report states that the mine was repeatedly subjected to incursions by armed groups attempting to steal gold-bearing material. The mine’s private security is unarmed and may seek assistance from the Tanzanian police where there is a threat to life. Barrick also stated that an investigation by Tanzania’s Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance found no human rights violations related to security at North Mara.
