Ontario court throws out explosive human rights case against Barrick Gold

The Ontario Superior Court has ruled against claims filed by Tanzanian residents accusing Barrick Gold Corporation of involvement in alleged human rights abuses near the North Mara gold mine. The court determined that Ontario was not the appropriate jurisdiction to hear the case, a significant legal victory for the Canadian mining company.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2022, alleged that Barrick was complicit in actions by Tanzanian police officers stationed at the North Mara mine. The claims centred on incidents where police reportedly caused injuries and fatalities while addressing what they described as illegal mining activities within the mine’s perimeter.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have previously documented accusations linking law enforcement at the mine to violent confrontations. These reports alleged that police targeted individuals they believed were unlawfully entering the site for small-scale mining.

Barrick Gold, headquartered in Toronto, operates the North Mara gold mine through its joint venture with the Tanzanian government under the Twiga partnership. The partnership, formed in 2019, oversees the mine’s operations and revenue sharing. Under agreements between the mine and local authorities, over 100 Tanzanian police officers are assigned to secure the site.

The company has consistently denied allegations of direct involvement in any human rights abuses, describing the claims as unfounded and promoted by activist groups. Following the court’s dismissal, Barrick’s president and CEO, Mark Bristow, reinforced the company’s commitment to Tanzania’s economic and social development, highlighting the positive impact of the Twiga partnership.

Bristow stated that the revenue contributions from the North Mara gold mine are significantly benefiting Tanzania’s economy. He emphasised that the company’s investments in sustainability and community development have materially improved living conditions in the regions surrounding the mine.

The North Mara mine has faced ongoing scrutiny over human rights and environmental issues, but Barrick asserts that its operations meet international standards. While the court ruling ends the Canadian legal proceedings, it does not address broader concerns raised by rights groups regarding law enforcement’s role at the site.

Barrick Gold remains focused on its strategic initiatives in Tanzania, with plans to continue strengthening its partnerships and investing in community welfare. The dismissal of the lawsuit underscores the challenges of pursuing transnational human rights claims in foreign courts, raising questions about jurisdiction and accountability for multinational corporations.