Barrick Gold controversies 2016

Report generated on 8-November-2017 by ESG Tracker, a product of Solaron Sustainability Services ©2017. Page 1 of 13
BARRICK GOLD CORP [ABX.TO]
INDUSTRY: Metals & Mining • COUNTRY: Canada • ISIN: CA0679011084 • SEDOL: 2024644
ESG INTEGRATION
Top 5 Countries
Past 2 Years
1 Argentina 15
2 United States of America 6
3 Chile 5
4 Dominican Republic 5
5 Tanzania 4
Risk events across All ESG
Environment Social Governance
Environment Social Governance
Geographic Distribution of Risk Events
Risk Profile of Company by Category
Products & ServicesFinancial
Regulatory Bodies or Government
Community
Employee
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Materials & Waste
Water
Environment - Others Shareholder Rights : Minor
Business Conduct
This represents the geographic dispersion of risk events across All, Environmental, Social, Governance or their breakdown across Environment, Social and
Governance categories. The above graph is based on past two years data.
The chart highlights the risk profile of the company across material indicators. The area under each indicator represents the proportionate risk of that indicator in
the company. The above graph is based on past two years data.


Categories of Risk Events
Environment M'16 J'16 J'16 A'16 S'16 O'16 N'16 D'16 J'17 F'17 M'17 A'17
Climate Change - - - - - - - - - - - -
Biodiversity - - - - - 2 - - - - - -
Materials & Waste - - 1 - 3 2 2 - - - - -
Water - - 1 - - 3 2 - - - - -
Environment - Others - - - - - 1 - - - - - -
Social M'16 J'16 J'16 A'16 S'16 O'16 N'16 D'16 J'17 F'17 M'17 A'17
Suppliers - - - - - - - - - - - -
Regulatory Bodies or Government - - 1 - 3 1 - - - - - -
Community - - 2 - 2 5 4 1 - - - -
Customers - - - - - - - - - - - -
Employee - - - - - - 2 - - - - -
Governance M'16 J'16 J'16 A'16 S'16 O'16 N'16 D'16 J'17 F'17 M'17 A'17
Shareholder Rights : Minor 1 - - - 1 - - 1 - - - -
Shareholder Rights : High Impact - - - - - - - - - - - -
Management Changes - - - - - - - - - - - -
Business Conduct - - 1 - 6 7 6 2 - - - -


Risk Events with Significant Impacts
1
Dec
02,
2016
Update: Court approves Barrick’s settlement in US investor suit
New York, United States of America | Law360 
On December 2, 2016, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York approved Barrick’s USD 140 million
settlement in a class action lawsuit accusing the company of fraudulently inflating its market value.
 On May 31, 2016, Barrick Gold agreed to pay USD 140 million to settle claims that it falsified facts of its Pascua-Lama
project along the border of Chile and Argentina, inflating its market value, according to documents filed in the US District
Court for the Southern District of New York.
 On April 1, 2015, the US district court in Manhattan refused to toss a lawsuit against Barrick Gold Corp that accused
the company of misleading its investors about the environmental regulations compliances at its Pascua-Lama project.
 On June 5, 2013, Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP filed a putative class action in a federal court for the Southern District
of New York, US, against Barrick Gold Corp and three of its executives. The plaintiff accused the company’s former and
current CFOs and CEOs of misleading investors about potential environmental issues and cost overruns of the Pascua-
Lama Project, a mine situated on Chile’s border with Argentina. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the shareholders that
purchased company’s common stock between May 7, 2009, and May 23, 2013, alleged that the company knew since
2009 that the disclosed cost projections for the mine project were far below internal cost estimates. In addition, it was
reported that at least nine law firms took on the case against Barrick.
 On June 5, 2013, Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP filed a putative class action in a federal court for the Southern District
of New York, US, against Barrick Gold Corp and three of its executives. The plaintiff accused the company’s former and
current CFOs and CEOs of misleading investors about potential environmental issues and cost overruns of the Pascua-
Lama Project, a mine situated on Chile’s border with Argentina. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the shareholders that
purchased company’s common stock between May 7, 2009, and May 23, 2013, alleged that the company knew since
2009 that the disclosed cost projections for the mine project were far below internal cost estimates. In addition, it was
reported that at least nine law firms took on the case against Barrick.
 BARRICK GOLD CORP
 Governance, Shareholder Rights : Minor, Business Conduct
Medium

Governance
2
Oct
03,
2016
Update: Barrick’s appeal in tax evasion case rejected
Tanzania | allAfrica 
On October 3, 2016, it was reported that a Tanzanian tribunal rejected Acacia Mining’s appeal against being found guilty
of evading taxes for four years consecutively, from 2010 to 2014. The tribunal ruled that Acacia Mining’s appeal was
incompetent for failure to include key documents in the records, like documentary evidence tendered at the trial.
 On March 31, 2016, it was reported that Acacia Mining PLC, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp, was accused by
Tanzanian’s Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal of tax evasion and was ordered to pay USD 41.25 million to the African
nation. The court ruled that Acacia paid dividends to its shareholders worth USD 412.5 million between 2010 and 2013,
but evaded a 10% withholding tax by declaring losses.
 Governance, Others, Financial, Business Conduct, Tax Issues
Medium

Governance
3
Sep
08,
2016
Update: Attorneys seek USD 36 million in fees in Barrick Gold investor settlement
New York, United States of America | Law360 
On September 7, 2016, attorneys for a class of investors who sued Barrick Gold Corp over environmental issues
surrounding a South American gold mine asked the US District Court for the Southern District of New York to sign off on
USD 36 million in attorneys' fees. In June 2016, the court gave its preliminary approval to the settlement.
 On May 31, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp agreed to pay USD 140 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of
concealing environmental issues surrounding its Pascua-Lama gold mine on the Chilean-Argentinean border, and of
fraudulently inflating the company's market value.
 On March 24, 2016, shareholders of Barrick Gold Corp launched a class action lawsuit against the company in a court
in Manhattan, US, over claims that they were deceived regarding the Pascua Lama mining project, on the border of Chile
and Argentina. The court certified the class action and said that people who bought shares between May 7, 2009, and
May 1, 2013, would be part of the class action. According to the lawsuit, Barrick reported false information by stating that
the Pascua Lama would be a first class project, even though it was obvious that it would not meet expectations. Due to
excessive costs, environmental questions, labor disputes and other problems, the company was forced to halt the
project indefinitely in October 2013.
 Governance, Shareholder Rights : Minor, Business Conduct
Medium

Governance

4
May
31,
2016
Update: Barrick Gold agrees to settle US investor lawsuit for USD 140 million
New York, United States of America | Law360  Other sources:  
On May 31, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp agreed to pay USD 140 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of
concealing environmental issues surrounding its Pascua-Lama gold mine on the Chilean-Argentinean border, and of
fraudulently inflating the company's market value.
 On March 24, 2016, shareholders of Barrick Gold Corp launched a class action lawsuit against the company in a court
in Manhattan, US, over claims that they were deceived regarding the Pascua Lama mining project, on the border of Chile
and Argentina. The court certiﬁed the class action and said that people who bought shares between May 7, 2009, and
May 1, 2013, would be part of the class action. According to the lawsuit, Barrick reported false information by stating that
the Pascua Lama would be a ﬁrst class project, even though it was obvious that it would not meet expectations. Due to
excessive costs, environmental questions, labor disputes and other problems, the company was forced to halt the
project indefinitely in October 2013.
 Governance, Shareholder Rights : Minor
Medium

Governance
5
Apr
05,
2016
Barrick unit pays USD 41.25 million for tax evasion
Tanzania | The Globe and Mail  Other sources:  
On March 31, 2016, it was reported that Acacia Mining PLC, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp, was accused by
Tanzanian’s Tax Revenue Appeals Tribunal of tax evasion and was ordered to pay USD 41.25 million to the African
nation. The court ruled that Acacia paid dividends to its shareholders worth USD 412.5 million between 2010 and 2013,
but evaded a 10% withholding tax by declaring losses.
 Governance, Others, Financial, Business Conduct, Tax Issues
Medium

Governance

Other Material Risk Events
1
Dec
07,
2016
Protest against Barrick over unpaid compensations
Bonao, Dominican Republic | ColoquioDigital.com  Other sources: 
On December 7, 2016, more than 100 people were arrested following a protest against Barrick Gold Corp in Bonao,
Dominican Republic. The demonstrators were blocking a highway to determine the company to pay the money it
allegedly owed them for the land which it was occupying.
Original Article in Spanish language: Miembros de la familia Rosario realizó una protesta en la autopista Duarte
en la cercanía del cruce de Piedra Blanca, Bonao, donde un contingente militar trataba de dispersarlos lanzando
bombas lacrimógenas. El corresponsal Johnny Alcántara informa que la familia Rosario exige a la minera[...]

 Social, Governance, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Social
Local Language
2
Nov
25,
2016
Worker dies at Barrick’s gold mine near Winnemucca
Winnemucca, United States of America | The Associated Press  Other sources:  
On November 25, 2016, a worker at Barrick Gold Corp’s Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture mine gold mine near
Winnemucca, Nevada, US, died after being found unresponsive. The cause of his death was under investigation.
 Social, Health & Safety, Employee
Low

Social

3
Nov
22,
2016
Report reveals violence and lack of responsibility at Goldcorp, Barrick and others
Mexico | Cultural Survival  Other sources:  
On October 16, 2016, the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project released a report documenting incidents of
violence associated with Goldcorp Inc, Barrick Gold Corp, First Majestic Silver Corp, BHP Billiton PLC, Glencore PLC,
IAMGOLD Corp, Mitsubishi Corp, Teck Resources Ltd, and other mining companies operating in Latin America. The
study, compiling information over a span of 15 years, found that the companies’ overall activities had a devastating
impact from a socio-human perspective. The research showed that the mining groups failed to include reports of
violence in their mandatory reports on company performance. Goldcorp, Barrick and First Majestic were amongst the
companies with a bad track record for respecting indigenous peoples’ rights in Latin America, according to the study.
 BARRICK GOLD CORP, GOLDCORP INC, FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP, BHP BILLITON PLC, GLENCORE PLC (FORMERLY,GLENCORE
XSTRATA PLC), IAMGOLD CORP, MITSUBISHI CORP, TECK RESOURCES LIMITED
Low

Social
4
Nov
17,
2016
Update: Barrick criticized over employee dismissal
Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic | nuevo.z101digital.com  Other sources:  
On November 17, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp was criticized for unfairly dismissing 40 workers at its Pueblo Viejo mine
just because they were allegedly asking for a wage rise. The company was blamed for choosing to terminate the
workers instead of improving their salaries.
 On November 16, 2016, several workers of Barrick staged a protest outside the company’s mine in Pueblo Viejo, in
the Dominican Republic, following the dismissal of another 40 employees. According to a leader of the workers’
group, Barrick suspended the employees for taking part in earlier protests.
 On November 2, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp’s miners at the Pueblo Viejo gold mine, in the Dominican Republic, were
protesting against the company after four workers were allegedly dismissed for taking part in previous
demonstrations in demand of several labor claims. As a result of the strike, the company’s operations were
suspended until negotiations took place.
Original Article in Spanish language: Álvaro Arvelo criticó este jueves el despido de 40 empleados por parte de
la Barrick Gold. El comentarista explicó que la empresa minera despidió a los empleados porque éstos estaban
pidiendo un aumento. Ayer trabajadores protestaron en frente de la mina de oro de la compañía canadiense por[...]

 Social, Governance, Disapproval on Layoffs, Business Conduct, Employee
Low

Social
Local Language
5
Nov
16,
2016
Indigenous women demand fair remedy from Barrick at UN forum
Porgera, Papua New Guinea | MiningWatch  Other sources:  
On November 16, 2016, 119 indigenous women who were sexually assaulted by security guards at Barrick Gold
Corp’s mine in Porgera, Papua New Guinea, were pleading their case to the United Nations and asking for an
intervention in their pursuit of justice. The women, who submitted their letter at the 5th Annual UN Forum on
Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, were asking for compensation equal to that received by eleven
victims who were represented by attorneys from US-based NGO EarthRights International. Those represented by
EarthRights allegedly received a conﬁdential settlement believed to be as much as four times greater than the
amount the 119 women received.
Low

Social

6
Nov
11,
2016
Update: Greenpeace wants Barrick’s Veladero mine shut down
Buenos Aires, Argentina | Agencia EFE  Other sources:  
On November 11, 2016, more than a dozen Greenpeace activists staged a protest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to
demand the government to shut down Barrick Gold Corp’s Veladero mine in San Juan. The demonstrators urged the
Argentinian president to uphold a law that was prohibiting mining activity near glaciers, in their attempt to protect the
environment.
 On July 12, 2016, the members of the “Jáchal No Se Toca” Assembly organized a protest against Barrick Gold Corp,
in Buenos Aires, Argentina, claiming that the company was breaking the Glacial Law because its Veladero mine, in
San Juan, was located in a periglaciar area. The activists were upset that the mine was still working, despite no
environmental cleanup being done, according to a member of the local assembly. They said that the last analysis of
the water showed that there was still cyanide in the rivers, following the leak which occurred in 2015, while the people
were still drinking that water and thus putting their lives at risk.
 On June 9, 2016, seven Greenpeace activists scaled Argentina’s national historic monument, the Obelisk of Buenos
Aires, in a protest against Barrick Gold Corp. The demonstrators were urging the Argentinian president to ensure
glacier protection and to shut down Barrick’s Veladero mine following a massive cyanide spill in September 2015 on
periglacial ground. They accused the mining company of operating in an area prohibited by the law. The local
authorities arrested all ten activists who took part in the manifestation.
 Environment, Social, Governance, Water, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
7
Nov
09,
2016
Organizations support suit revival against Barrick over mine tailings spill
Marinduque, Philippines | Inquirer.net  Other sources: 
On November 9, 2016, it was reported that Barrick Gold Corp was threatened by trouble after the Catholic Church
and several civil society groups in the province of Marinduque, Philippines, decided to back a plan to pursue a multi-
million dollar suit against the company to recover the costs of damages left by a 1996 mine tailings spill. The
provincial board of Marinduque, in June, issued a resolution to refile the case in a Canadian court against Barrick,
which absorbed Placer Dome Inc, the parent company of the defunct Marcopper Mining Corp. In 1996, one of
Marcopper’s drainage tunnels unleashed about 200 million tons of tailings into Marinduque’s Boac River.
 Environment, Governance, Materials & Waste, Water, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
8
Nov
03,
2016
Barrick denounced before the IACHR over Veladero mine spills
San Juan, Argentina | Diario El Zonda San Juan  Other sources: 
On November 3, 2016, it was reported that the Iuris & Iuris law firm filed a complaint with the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) against Barrick Gold Corp for violations of the human and environmental
rights in San Juan, Argentina. The action came after the legal consultant was contacted by the San Juan residents in
order to evaluate, analyze and define the legal steps to follow after the spills that occurred in September 2015 and
2016 at its Veladero mine. The complaint was urging the IACHR to take immediate measures against the company in
order to stop the environmental destruction and to protect the locals’ health.
Original Article in Spanish language: Iuris & Iuris es una Consultora Jurídica situada en la ciudad de Córdoba,
presentó una denuncia por violación de los derechos humanos y / o derechos ambientales en contra de la empresa
Canadiense Barrick Gold ante la Honorísima Comisión Interamericana de derechos Humanos (Inter American
Commission[...]

 Environment, Social, Governance, Materials & Waste, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
Local Language
9
Oct
23,
2016
Barrick and Goldcorp accused of harassment and persecution
Cotui, Sánchez Ramírez, Dominican Republic | Cachicha.com 
On October 23, 2016, it was reported that a representative of the Observatory of Mining Conflicts in the Dominican
Republic alleged that Barrick Gold Corp and Goldcorp Inc were leading a campaign of intimidation against their
opponents in Cotui, in the province of Sánchez Ramírez. The representative reported that suspicious vehicles
followed the main leaders of the organizations who were fighting against the two mining companies; their major
concerns being related to the negative effects of pollution in the region.
 BARRICK GOLD CORP, GOLDCORP INC
Low

Social

10
Oct
21,
2016
Update: San Juan to fine Barrick over Veladero chemical spill
San Juan, Argentina | SanJuanHoy.com  Other sources: 
On October 21, 2016, the governor of San Juan, Argentina, revealed that a fine would be imposed on Barrick following
a cyanide spill that took place on September 7 at its Veladero gold mine. The governor did not disclose the amount
of the fine but explained that the company would be compelled to take measures to avoid being penalized in the
future.
 On March 10, 2016, the provincial court of San Juan, Argentina, initiated legal proceedings against nine Barrick Gold
Corp executives over a cyanide spill that occurred in September 12, 2015. The incident took place at the Veladero
mine and polluted the Potrerillos, Las Taguas and La Palca rivers with one million liters of cyanide. The court said that
the defendants acted negligently and violated the country’s law for the control of hazardous waste.
Original Article in Spanish language: El gobernador señaló en rueda de prensa que espera informe del
Ministerio de Minería para definir segunda multa. La anterior fue de 150 millones de pesos impuesta por el gobierno
provincial. El gobernador Sergio Uñac explicó este viernes en rueda de prensa que la multa a Barrick se definirá
a[...]

 Environment, Social, Governance, Materials & Waste, Regulatory Bodies or Government, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
Local Language
11
Oct
09,
2016
Argentinian government asked to stop Barrick’s Veladero gold mine project
San Juan, Argentina | El Ciudadano  Other sources:  
On October 9, 2016, it was reported that the Union of Citizen Assemblies was urging the Argentinian government to
suspend Barrick Gold Corp’s gold mine project in San Juan, following the damages caused by the company in the
region. Barrick was accused of destroying the ecosystem after contaminating five rivers and leaving the local
communities without water as a consequence of the two heavy metal spills which occurred in 2015 and 2016.
 Environment, Social, Governance, Biodiversity, Materials & Waste, Water, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
12
Oct
04,
2016
Report denounces Barrick’s environmental and human rights abuse
Porgera, Papua New Guinea | Common Dreams 
On October 3, 2016, a new report submitted to the United Nations was revealing that Barrick Gold Corp’s Porgera
Joint Venture gold mine, in Papua New Guinea, allowed environmental devastation and other forms of violence
against men and women, as well as forced displacement, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detention. The report
written by EarthRights International, MiningWatch Canada, and the Human Rights Research and Education Center
Human Rights Clinic at the University of Ottawa, claimed that the indigenous women and girls living near the gold
mine accused the security personnel at the site of engaging in a decades-long campaign of sexual violence, including
gang rape. The report found that although Barrick established a so-called "Remedy Framework" in 2010 to
compensate the victims, less than half of the women who filed claims received remuneration, and those said it was
not enough to reflect the gravity of the harm suffered.
 Environment, Social, Governance, Community, Business Conduct, Environment - Others
Low

Environment
13
Oct
04,
2016
Barrick’s Veladero mine operates illegally, environmentalists say
San Juan, Argentina | Telam  Other sources:  
On October 4, 2016, Greenpeace and Environment and Natural Resources Foundation were opposing the
authorization given to Barrick Gold Corp to restart its activities at the Veladero mine in San Juan, Argentina. The
environmentalists held that in less than a year Barrick contaminated five rivers following spills which occurred at the
mine. Both groups were campaigning for the suspension of Barrick’s operations in the area, alleging that the mining
company was also violating the Law for the Protection of Glaciers.
 Social, Governance, Community, Business Conduct, Water, Environment
Low

Environment

14
Oct
01,
2016
Dominican Republic president asked to investigate environmental damage caused by Barrick
Sánchez Ramírez, Dominican Republic | Telenoticias  Other sources: 
On October 1, 2016, it was reported that the Dominican Peace organization urged the Dominican Republic’s
president to take measures against Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporación, a joint venture between Barrick Gold Corp
and Goldcorp Inc, which was allegedly polluting the Sánchez Ramírez province. According to the organization, Barrick
was destroying the lives of thousands of families which were living in a miserable environment, a consequence of the
impact of exploitation of gold in the region. They were asking the president to create a commission intended to
investigation the negative effects of pollution on human beings, animals, water, earth and agricultural products in the
area.
 Environment, Social, Governance, Biodiversity, Water, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
15
Sep
30,
2016
Update: Barrick mine to remain suspended, court rules
Argentina | Reuters  Other sources:  
On September 29, 2016, an Argentinian court ruled that Barrick’s operations at its Veladero mine would remain
suspended, claiming that the repairs were insufficient to reopen it, following a cyanide spill earlier in the month. The
court’s decision was based on a report from the mining police in San Juan, which revealed that Barrick did not install
security cameras and sensors as required.
 On September 8, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp confirmed that a cyanide spill took place on September 7 at its Veladero
gold mine in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The governor of San Juan ordered Barrick to suspend all mining
activities due to protests that arose from residents of Jáchal, near the mine. The company declared that the waste
did not come in contact with any watercourse and that communities and the environment were not in danger.
According to Barrick, a pipe transporting processing solution was decoupled after it was impacted by a piece of ice.
 Social, Governance, Regulatory Bodies or Government, Business Conduct, Materials & Waste, Environment
Low

Environment
16
Sep
30,
2016
Barrick’s feedback following North Mara incidents is deficient, RAID says
Tarime District, Tanzania | RAID 
On September 30, 2016, it was reported that the non-governmental organization, Rights and Accountability in
Development (RAID), claimed that the answers which Acacia Mining PLC, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp, gave
about human rights violations at the North Mara mine, in the Tarime District, Tanzania, were unconvincing. RAID
questioned whether Acacia would disclose how many police officers or mine security personnel were investigated
over deaths or injuries to people recorded at the mine and why it did not immediately disclose information about the
Tanzanian government commission’s findings and recommendations to its shareholders.
 Governance, Business Conduct
Low

Governance
17
Sep
23,
2016
Barrick faces legal complaint following Veladero cyanide spill
Argentina | Buenos Aires Herald 
On September 22, 2016, Argentina’s Environment Ministry filed a complaint with the San Juan provincial judiciary
against Barrick Gold Corp requesting a criminal investigation into the September 8 cyanide solution leak at the
company’s Veladero mine. According to the environmental minister, the complaint was submitted because Barrick
failed to inform the authorities at the time of the accident, thus potentially violating a legal protocol.
 Social, Governance, Regulatory Bodies or Government, Business Conduct, Materials & Waste, Environment
Low

Environment
18
Sep
22,
2016
Tanzanian authorities killed 65, injured 270 at Barrick’s North Mara mine, inquiry hears
Tanzania | The Globe And Mail  Other sources:  
On September 22, 2016, it was reported that a Tanzanian government’s inquiry revealed that during years of clashes
at the North Mara gold mine, operated by Acacia Mining PLC, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp, the police killed 65
people and injured 270. The action came after the Tanzanian Mines Minister appointed a commission, in July, to
investigate the disputes between the North Mara mine, located in the Tarime District, and the local communities. In a
separate confidential letter, a senior Tanzanian official allegedly informed the company that the government was
worried by the fatalities at the mine’s site, the escalating number of intrusions by villagers, and the reported collusion
between the police and some of the trespassing villagers. Meanwhile, two independent activist groups - which visited
the mine site in July and August – said that there were probably more than 300 violent deaths at the North Mara
mine since 1999, including the deaths of women and children who were not trespassing on the mine’s site.
 Social, Governance, Regulatory Bodies or Government, Community, Business Conduct
Low

Social

19
Sep
20,
2016
Dominicans protest against Barrick for USD 2,500 million debt
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | DiarioLibre.com  Other sources:  
On October 18, 2016, dozens of people gathered and protested in front of the Congress of the Dominican Republic
against Barrick Gold Corp demanding the payment of USD 2,500 million for lands that were purportedly ceded to the
company in the Laguna community, in Cotui. According to the group’s legal representative, the lands were taken
from the residents who allegedly inherited them for generations. The angry demonstrators threatened to occupy
Barrick’s mine in Cotui if the company did not grant their request.
Original Article in Spanish language: Descendientes de Jacinto Rosario y Rita Díaz, que residieron en Cotuí, se
presentaron esta mañana frente al Congreso Nacional para reclamar del Estado y de la empresa minera Barrick
Pueblo Viejo que salde una deuda que tienen con ellos que supuestamente asciende a US$2,500[...]

Low

Social
Local Language
20
Sep
15,
2016
Barrick confirms cyanide spill at Veladero mine
San Juan, Argentina | T13.cl  Other sources:  
On September 8, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp conﬁrmed that a cyanide spill took place on September 7 at its Veladero
gold mine in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The governor of San Juan ordered Barrick to suspend all mining
activities due to protests that arose from residents of Jáchal, near the mine. The company declared that the waste
did not come in contact with any watercourse and that communities and the environment were not in danger.
According to Barrick, a pipe transporting processing solution was decoupled after it was impacted by a piece of ice.
 Materials & Waste, Environment
Low

Environment
21
Aug
13,
2016
Barrick Pascua Lama mine closes temporarily
Santiago, Chile | BioBio Chile  Other sources: 
On August 13, 2016, the Court of Appeals of Santiago, Chile, conﬁrmed that Barrick Gold Corp’s Pascua Lama mining
project would be temporarily closed. The judgment however stated that the closure was not an abandonment of
mining activity as the company was given until September 29 to reopen the mine. Barrick declared that it was
intending to extend the closure plan until 2020, as the price of gold was declining.
 Products & Services, Others
Low

Others
22
Jul
19,
2016
Community asks SMA to revoke Barrick’s environmental permit for Pascua Lama project
Huasco, Chile | El Desconcierto  Other sources:  
On July 19, 2016, it was reported that the communities in the province of Huasco, Chile, asked the Superintendency
of the Environment (SMA) to revoke Barrick Gold Corp’s environmental permit for its Pascua Lama project after an
avalanche in Pascua Lama that led to the contamination of their water resources with heavy metals. The avalanche
destroyed and left completely inoperative the Contaminated Water Treatment Plant and thus the polluted water from
Barrick’s Pascua Lama could not be cleaned anymore and was discharging directly into the Strait river (tributary of
the Rio Huasco). The SMA received 18 complaints related to the issue.
 Environment, Social, Materials & Waste, Water, Community, Regulatory Bodies or Government
Low

Environment
23
Jul
01,
2016
Barrick accused of ignoring sexual abuse complaints
Porgera, Papua New Guinea | News.Vice.com  Other sources: 
On July 1, 2016, it was reported that around 150 locals and human rights advocates marched against Barrick Gold
Corp in Porgera, Papua New Guinea, to protest against sexual violence. The demonstrators accused Barrick of using
"delay tactics" to ignore their claims, six months after new allegations of rape and violence surfaced at the
company’s Porgera Gold mine. They said that that the mining company failed to pay compensation to the victims of
sexual abuse and failed to relocate the residents as it assured.
Low

Social

24
Mar
28,
2016
Barrick’s Zaldivar mine leaks toxic liquids into water network
Copiapo, Chile | Radio Villa Francia  Other sources:  
On March 28, 2016, it was reported that toxic liquids were leaking from Barrick Gold Corp’s Zaldivar mine, near
Antofagasta, Chile, following severe floods in the area. Many people in Copiapo were experiencing skin itches and
reports showed that the toxic waste reached the water supply networks as tap water was coming out colored in many
areas. The Service of National Geology and Mining was announced and declared that the situation was critical.
 Materials & Waste, Water, Community, Environment, Social
Low

Environment
25
Mar
27,
2016
Barrick accused of hiding true scale of chemical spills
San Juan, Argentina | Infobae.com 
On March 27, 2016, it was reported that Barrick Gold Corp was being accused of trying to manipulate the public
following several chemical spills which occurred across the years at the Veladero mine in San Juan, Argentina. The
members of the “Jáchal No Se Toca” Assembly claimed that there were at least three other chemical spills which
occurred between 2011 and 2013, which they did not knew about. Although Barrick said that the official figures for
those incidents were minor, the residents of San Juan claimed that they were skeptical about the veracity of the
information disclosed, alleging that the company tried to hide the exact details of the cyanide spill that occurred on
September 12, 2015, and its magnitude.
Original Article in Spanish language: No fue el único. Al derrame de más de un millón de litros de agua
cianurada ocurrido el último septiembre en la mina Veladero, en San Juan, le antecedieron por lo menos tres
vertidos que no se hicieron públicos en su momento. Aunque las cifras oficiales de esos incidentes son menores, en
la[...]

 Social, Governance, Community, Business Conduct, Materials & Waste, Water, Environment
Low

Environment
Local Language
26
Mar
24,
2016
Shareholders sue Barrick over Pascua Lama project deceit
Manhattahn, United States of America | Portal Minero  Other sources:  
On March 24, 2016, shareholders of Barrick Gold Corp launched a class action lawsuit against the company in a court
in Manhattan, US, over claims that they were deceived regarding the Pascua Lama mining project, on the border of
Chile and Argentina. The court certified the class action and said that people who bought shares between May 7,
2009, and May 1, 2013, would be part of the class action. According to the suit, Barrick reported false information by
stating that the Pascua Lama would be a first class project, even though it was obvious that it would not meet
expectations. Due to excessive costs, environmental questions, labor disputes and other problems, the company
was forced to halt the project indefinitely in October 2013.
 Shareholder Rights : Minor, Business Conduct, Governance
Low

Governance
27
Mar
11,
2016
Barrick confirms USD 9.3 million fine over cyanide spill
San Juan, Argentina | Diario Pyme  Other sources:  
On March 11, 2016, Barrick Gold Corp confirmed that it received a ARS 145.7 million (USD 9.3 million) fine imposed
by the northern Argentinian province of San Juan over a cyanide spill that occurred in September 12, 2015. The
incident took place at the Veladero mine and polluted three rivers. The company admitted spilling one million liters of
cyanide in 2015 due to community pressure, even though at first it declared that only about 224,000 liters were
spilled.
 Materials & Waste, Water, Community, Environment, Social
Low

Environment

28
Feb
24,
2016
Environmentalists sue Barrick Gold for cyanide spill in Argentina
Argentina | Prevencionar Chile 
On February 24, 2016, it was reported that several environmental organizations in Argentina, including the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Oﬃce of the United Nations for Project Services (OUNPS), the Assembly
Jáchal No Toca, the Assembly of Las Heras for Water and the Territories Coordination for the Defense of Glaciers of
Chile (TCDGC), initiated legal proceedings against Barrick Gold Corp after the spill of more than one million liters of
cyanide in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The lawsuit was launched after some reports released by the UNEP
and the OUNPS showed that the channel of Potrerillos river was contaminated and that the values of the toxic
compounds found there were not recommended for aquatic life. Moreover, a spokeswoman for the TCDGC said that
in both Chile and Argentina was demonstrated that Barrick Gold was a "criminal enterprise.’’ He also added that
Barrick had been polluting the rivers in Chile since 2009.
 Environment, Social, Governance, Materials & Waste, Water, Business Conduct
Low

Environment
29
Feb
17,
2016
Expert claims Barrick Gold’s mining projects threaten environment
Rio Turbio, Santa Cruz Province; San Juan Province, Argentina | Diario y Radio Uchile  Other sources: 
On February 17, 2016, it was reported that an anthropologist and a member of the collective Kintral of Coquimbo
explained that the creation of the Barrick Gold Corp’s new mining project Alturas in the Valley of Rio Turbio, Santa
Cruz Province, Argentina, was related to the Veladero mine in San Juan Province, Argentina, in order to create a
conductive path to transport the minerals extracted and export them through the port of Coquimbo, Chile, to Asia.
The anthropologist emphasised that the company’s new mining project but also its other mining projects such as
Veladero, Pascua Lama and Tambo would be a threat to the areas where the projects were located due to water
scarcity as mining operations required huge amounts of water for cleaning and subsequent extraction of gold and
silver.
 Environment, Social, Water, Community
Low

Environment
30
Dec
29,
2015
Barrick Gold haul truck driver dies after collision with another haul truck
Lander County, Nevada, United States of America | Elko Daily Free Press  Other sources:  
On December 28, 2015, a Barrick Gold Corp haul truck operator at the company’s Cortez mine in Lander County,
Nevada, US, died as a result of a collision involving another haul truck. No other injuries were reported.
 Social, Health & Safety, Employee
Low

Social
31
Oct
23,
2015
Protest against Barrick in San Juan, 23 arrested
San Juan, Argentina | Center Of Human Rights And Environment  Other sources:  
On October 23, 2015, two people were injured and 23 were arrested during a peaceful demonstration against Barrick
Gold Corp in the province of San Juan, Argentina. The residents were protesting over the cyanide spill that occurred
at the Veladero mine on September 13.
 Environment, Social, Materials & Waste, Water, Community
Low

Environment
32
Oct
21,
2015
Stop of human rights violations of Canadian mining companies like Barrick or Yamana Gold is expected after Liberal
Party’s victory
Canada | International Business Times 
On October 21, 2015, activists said they hoped the Canadian Liberal Party’s victory would establish a new era of
accountability for mining companies like Barrick Gold Corporation, Yamana Gold Inc and Goldcorp Inc, that were
accused of several violations in Latin America such as harming the environment, forcing the displacement of people,
ignoring the voice of local communities, trying to inﬂuence the design of national laws and supporting the
criminalization of social protest, among others. The Liberal party expressed support for ensuring that Canadian
mining, oil and gas corporations acted according to international human rights standards.
 YAMANA GOLD INC, GOLDCORP INC, BARRICK GOLD CORP
 Environment, Social, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Materials & Waste, Water, Community
Low

Environment

33
Oct
03,
2015
Barrick’s chemical spill contaminates Jáchal River
San Juan, Argentina | UniDiversidad.com  Other sources:  
On October 3, 2015, it was reported that the National University of Cuyo (UNCUYO) claimed that the spillage of more
than one million liters of cyanide by Barrick Gold Corp, on September 13, poisoned the water of the Jáchal River, in
the province of San Juan, Argentina. According to UNCUYO’s report, the water was contaminated with heavy metals
in doses up to 14 times above the acceptable values. Furthermore, a microbiological study found the presence of the
E. coli bacteria in the water where the mountain rivers were originating.
Original Article in Spanish language: La municipalidad del departamento sanjuanino solicitó, a pedido de los
vecinos, un estudio técnico sobre el agua de los ríos de la zona. Así se detectó contaminación con metales en dosis
de hasta 1400 % por encima de los valores tolerables. Ahora se sabe que al otro día de aquel vertido[...]

 Environment, Social, Materials & Waste, Water, Community
Low

Environment
Local Language
34
Jun
02,
2015
SMA rejects Barrick proposed mitigation for environmental offenses
Chile | Radio del Mar 
On June 2, 2015, it was reported that the Superintendecy of the Environment (SMA) rejected Barrick Gold Corp’s
proposal that offered a mitigation concerning the harmful operations at its Pascua Lama mining site. The move was
part of a series of attempts by the Chilean government and the company to legalize small penalties for Barrick’s
major environmental offenses. The proposed plan was that in exchange for small penalties by Chilean justice
institutions, the company would offer a remedial or compensatory works.
 Environment, Regulatory Bodies or Government, Business Conduct, Social, Governance
Low

Environment
35
May
14,
2015
Activists protest against Barrick Gold, Codelco, others’ mining projects destroying glaciers
Santiago, Chile | Greenpeace  Other sources: 
On May 14, 2015, three activists from Greenpeace hung a banner of 150 square meters on the building located
outside the offices of Barrick Gold Corp in Santiago, Chile, saying "Miners, stop destroying glaciers. " The activists
said that their intention was to denounce the destruction of glaciers in the country caused by mining projects.
Sources said that among the projects with more destruction of glaciers were scientifically proven: Corporacion
Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco)'s Andina, affecting nearly 200 hectares of glaciers in the Aconcagua River
basin; Barrick Gold's Pascua Lama, affecting more than 70% of Toro 1-2 and Esperanza glaciers; Antofagasta PLC’s
Antofagasta Minerals, affecting at least 6 glaciers; and Los Bronces of Anglo American PLC, affecting almost 60
hectares of glaciers directly.
 CORPORACION NACIONAL DEL COBRE DE CHILE (CODELCO), BARRICK GOLD CORP, ANTOFAGASTA PLC, ANGLO AMERICAN PLC
 Environment, Social, Climate Change, Community
Low

Environment

About Us
Solaron Sustainability Services was founded in 2007 in India, with a focus on the collection and analysis of pertinent ESG and sustainability risk related data and
information. Solaron is a Research and Analytics company serving capital markets by providing actionable insights sourced from the ESG impacts of every
company. It employs the world’s largest on-the-ground team of 80+ analysts tracking local risks and ESG performance across 6000 global stocks, 30 countries
and 68 GICS industries. It has supported the ESG industry with 350,000+ hours of primary and secondary research since 2007 and has built a track record of
highlighting hidden risks across portfolios. Solaron is proud to be the first ESG rating and research agency to bring primary research to the ESG industry.
Solaron’s proprietary Stakeholder Input Process brings key insights from local and stakeholder research to source and validate unique risks that are usually
hidden in secondary data.
Disclaimer
This report is published by Solaron Sustainability Services, based in India, Brazil, UAE, Mexico, Russia, Europe and Africa. All rights reserved. Solaron
Sustainability Services does not undertake to advise you of changes in the information contained in this report, unless explicitly mentioned in the contract. These
materials have been prepared solely for informational purposes based upon information generally available to the public as well as our on the ground research
from sources believed to be reliable. This report has been prepared on a Best effort basis. While we make a significant effort to get accurate information, it is
certainly possible to miss certain elements of a Company's true sustainability information, due to limitations in talking to all possible stakeholders exhaustively.
Besides, this information changes with changing market context. Therefore, Solaron Sustainability Services makes no representation with respect to the accuracy
or completeness of these materials, the content of which may change without notice based on market and other conditions. Solaron Sustainability Services
disclaims any and all liability relating to these materials and makes no express or implied representations or warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness
of the report. Solaron Sustainability Services accepts no liability for financial prejudice allegedly resulting from inaccuracy of assessments or data or from the
misinterpretation of their scope.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any format or by any means including electronically or mechanically, by photocopying, recording or by any
information storage or retrieval sys-tem, or by any other form or manner whatsoever, without the prior written consent of Solaron Sustainability Services.
© 2017, Solaron Sustainability Services Pvt. Ltd.

Barrick Gold controversies 2016

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Barrick Gold controversies 2016

Similar to Barrick Gold controversies 2016 (20)

More from Vipul Arora

More from Vipul Arora (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Barrick Gold controversies 2016