By Robb M. Stewart
An appeal court in Canada has backed an earlier ruling that the province of Ontario isn't the appropriate forum to consider claims against Barrick Mining alleging human-rights abuses near the company's North Mara gold mine in Tanzania.
The Toronto-based company said it welcomed the decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissing an appeal by certain Tanzanian residents who allege abuses by members of the Tanzanian Police Force in the vicinity of the North Mara mine.
The Ontario Superior Court in November 2024 granted Barrick's motion to dismiss the claims on the grounds the court lacked jurisdiction and that Tanzania was a more appropriate location to litigate the matter. The company has refuted what it previously described as baseless allegations by a small number of activist nongovernmental organizations.
An action against Barrick was launched in November 2022, brought by plaintiffs who claimed to have been injured or to be the dependents of individuals who were allegedly killed by members of the Tanzanian Police Force. The claim asserted Barrick was legally responsible for the actions of the police force, and that the company is liable for an unspecified amount of damages. In early 2024 an additional action was begun against the company on behalf of different plaintiffs who made similar claims.
Barrick in its defense said the allegations in both claims were without merit, including because the Tanzanian Police Force is a sovereign police force that operates under its own chain of command.
Chief Executive Mark Hill said Barrick is proud of its work in Tanzania, which he said is done in close partnership with all levels of government and local communities.
North Mara, located in northwest Tanzania about 12 miles south of the Kenyan border, began commercial production in 2002. The mine accounted for about 249,000 ounces of the 3.26 million ounces of gold Barrick produced in 2025.
Write to Robb M. Stewart at robb.stewart@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-08-26 0814ET
