By Creamer Media,
A LAWSUIT has been filed against Vancouver-based mining company Nevsun Resources in the British Columbia Supreme Court by three refugees who claim to have once worked with a local subcontractor at the Bisha mine, in Eritrea, on the Horn of Africa.
The TSX-listed company said on Friday that the lawsuit made human rights allegations against Nevsun and its local subcontractor, which the company denied and would “vigorously defend itself against”.
Nevsun CEO Cliff Davis said: “We are confident that the allegations are unfounded. Based on various company-led and third-party audits, the Bisha mine has adhered at all times to international standards of governance, workplace conditions and health and safety.
“We are committed to ensuring that the Bisha mine is managed in a safe and responsible manner that respects the interests of the local communities, workers, national governance, stakeholders and the natural environment.”
Nevsun said it strived to ensure that the company’s presence had a positive social and economic impact, noting that with spin-off effects, the Bisha mine had created meaningful employment for thousands of Eritreans.
The company highlighted its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) detailed in its 2013 CSR report, as well as an independent human rights impact assessment commissioned earlier this year.
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ALSO READ : Canadian Lawmakers Dumbfounded about Reports on Bisha Human Rights
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Nevsun says Allegations of Human Rights Abuses Unfounded
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By Canadian Press,
A Vancouver-based mining company says allegations of human rights violations at the Bisha open pit mine in northeastern Africa are unfounded and it will defend itself from a civil suit filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday.
Nevsun Resources Ltd. says it denies allegations against the company and its local contractor by three refugees who say they were victims of human rights abuses including forced labour at the Bisha mine.
Nevsun has a 60 per cent ownership stake in the copper and gold mining operation in Eritrea.
The Canadian company’s chief executive, Cliff Davis, says that audits by the company and third parties indicate that the Bisha mine has always met international standards for workplace conditions, health and safety.
One of the lawyers for the plaintiffs (Gize Araya, Kesete Fshazion and Mihretab Tekle) says the three men are not in Canada but filed the suit in British Columbia because it’s the only place they have a chance of getting access to justice.
Their claims have yet to be tested in court.
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Nevsun Comments on B.C. Lawsuit
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By Nevsun Resources,
NEVSUN Resources Ltd. (TSX: NSU / NYSE MKT: NSU) (Nevsun or the Company) advises that a lawsuit has been filed against it in the B.C. Supreme Court by three individuals who claim to have once worked with a local sub-contractor at the Bisha Mine in Eritrea. The lawsuit makes human rights allegations against the Company and its local sub-contractor. The Company denies the allegations and will vigorously defend itself against this claim.
Cliff Davis, Nevsun’s CEO, said, “We are confident that the allegations are unfounded. Based on various company-led and third party audits, the Bisha Mine has adhered at all times to international standards of governance, workplace conditions, and health and safety. We are committed to ensuring that the Bisha Mine is managed in a safe and responsible manner that respects the interests of the local communities, workers, national governance, stakeholders, and the natural environment.”
Nevsun strives to ensure that the Company’s presence has a positive social and economic impact. With spin-off effects, the Bisha Mine has created meaningful employment for thousands of Eritreans. The Company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is detailed in its 2013 CSR report, available on its website at this link: https://nevsun.com/pdf/NevsunCSR_2013_May2013.pdf. The Company also commissioned an independent human rights impact assessment earlier this year and it is available on its website at this link: https://www.nevsun.com/responsibility/human-rights/Nevsun-HRIA-Summary-April-2014.pdf
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VIDEO : Mr. Lloyd Lipsett, founder and principal of LKL International Consulting Inc. testifying his independent report on the alleged Human Rights and Social responsibilities in Bisha mine before the Sub-Committee on International Human Rights
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