Human Right Claims: Petra Agrees $6m Settlement
May 13, 21
(IDEX Online) - Petra Diamonds has agreed a $6m settlement, with no admission of liability, over claims that it breached the human rights of illegal miners at its Williamson mine, in Tanzania.
It follows a hard-hitting NGO report and a legal case brought on behalf of 71 people who alleged they suffered abuse at the hands of Petra's security personnel.
The UK-listed miner, which bought the huge kimberlite resource (pictured) in 2009, said it had taken immediate action upon being made aware of the allegations in 2020.
CEO Richard Duffy said: "The wider Petra board have been equally determined to address the shortcomings identified, and have taken remedial actions where necessary to minimise the risks of reoccurrence of similar events."
It accepted that available evidence indicated its contractors Zenith Security had been responsible for some deaths.
The UK corporate watchdog RAID alleged there had been a catalog of "killings and brutal assaults" gave the settlement a cautious welcome but said: "Petra Diamonds' ethical claims have been exposed as nothing more than window dressing to promote its diamonds."
Click here to read our Memo on the Petra settlement