- Write by:
-
Thursday, August 20, 2020 - 6:31:43 PM
-
542 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - The High Court of Sierra Leone issued on Wednesday an interim freezing order on the assets of Octea, a subsidiary of Israeli billionaire Beny Steinmetz’s BSG Resources (BSGR), in a lawsuit over alleged environmental damage around a diamond mine.
Lawyers representing residents living next to Octea’s mine, Sierra Leone’s largest diamond operation, requested the order. They claimed there was “clear and present risk” the defendants could expatriate funds to avoid paying out if the court rules against them.
Octea will appeal the judgment on Thursday, lawyers for the plaintiffs told Reuters.
The case grabbed international attention in March last year, when locals launched a lawsuit against subsidiary Koidu Limited over alleged water contamination, respiratory infections and damage to their houses caused by blasting at the mine. They seek $288 million in compensation.
Gov’t on the hot seat
The suit was followed in August by a second, this time against Sierra Leone’s government, for failing to protect them from the mine’s alleged effects.
“The State has violated (the plaintiffs’) right to a suitable environment,” said the lawyer acting on behalf of residents of Koidu, the largest city in the diamond-rich Kono district of Sierra Leone.
That suit also argued that the government had failed to ensure the relocation of hundreds of households away from the blasting site, as required in Octea’s mining license.
It further claimed Sierra Leone’s authorities failed to protect residents when security forces killed four people during protests against the mine in 2007 and 2012.
Following those incidents, Octea’s subsidiary Koidu Limited reportedly made a goodwill payment to Sierra Leone’s mines ministry to compensate victims of the violence, court documents show.
Koidu Limited has not acknowledged making any payment.
The cases highlight the growing importance of obtaining and keeping a social license, or community support.
Stakeholders are demanding stronger engagement, transparency, ethical supply chains and a lower carbon footprint.
Communities at host countries are growing aware of their right to demand companies meet those expectations, with some choosing the legal path to pursue grievances against international mining firms.
Octea’s parent company, BSGR, is under investigation in several countries, including the US for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The company denies the claims.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/587224
When former boss Mark Cutifani left Anglo American Plc in mid-April 2022, things had rarely looked better for the ...
Anglo American Plc said it is has received an unsolicited non-binding combination proposal from BHP Group.
Anglo American Plc said it is has received an unsolicited non-binding combination proposal from BHP Group.
BHP Group Ltd. proposed a takeover of Anglo American Plc that values the smaller miner at £31.1 billion ($38.8 billion), ...
AbraSilver Resource said on Monday it has received investments from both Kinross Gold and Central Puerto, Argentina’s ...
A prefeasibility study for Predictive Discovery’s (ASX: PDI) Bankan gold project in Guinea gives it a net present value ...
Irish explorer Karelian Diamond Resources (AIM: KDR) said on Tuesday its search for precious stones in Finland has taken ...
Chinese coal prices are likely to keep falling until the start of the peak summer season, suppressing imports of the ...
An unusually warm winter in Canada this year has delayed the opening of a 400-kilometer (250-mile) ice road that is ...
No comments have been posted yet ...