Seven die in “clash” at Barrick mine
Since it was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2010, African Barrick – subsidiary of the world’s biggest gold mining company – has been beset by accusations of committing major human rights abuses in Tanzania.
Last week, seven Tanzanian citizens were shot dead by “security forces”, and a dozen others injured, when hundreds of “armed” local people entered the company’s North Mara site, according to the company, in order to seize ore from one of the crushers.
Viewed as an isolated incident, the people’s actions would appear to be unacceptable. However, they were rooted in a pattern of continual aggression, environmental damage and contempt for local communities on the part of the company which commenced soon after Barrick Gold entered Tanzania over a decade ago.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/10914.
See also Tarime killings: The inside story at http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=29348.