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Allegations of human rights abuses at the Williamson mine

In May 2020, Leigh Day notified the Boards of Petra Diamonds Limited (“PDL”) and Williamson Diamonds Limited (“WDL”) that it had issued claim forms in the High Court of England and Wales on behalf of 32 anonymous individuals in relation to alleged breaches of human rights, personal injuries and deaths suffered at and surrounding the Mine, arising from the security operations. Additionally, in November 2020 RAID published a report outlining similar allegations, during the same period. Leigh Day subsequently expanded the number of anonymous claimants to 72 while RAID expanded the scope of their own allegations.

WDL and Petra have taken the human rights allegations mentioned above extremely seriously. They have sought to gain a full understanding of the allegations through an independent investigation, with the aim of supporting the provision of balanced and fair remedy, in the interest of all parties, and to put in place preventative measures. Petra formed an independent Board Sub-Committee comprised entirely of independent Non-executive Directors to oversee the matters and undertake an investigation into the allegations. The Sub-Committee was supported in its investigation by the specialist external investigator Control Risks, in conjunction with lawyers Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

On 12 May 2021 Petra announced that it had reached a settlement, on a no admission of liability basis, in relation to claims brought in London by Leigh Day, on behalf of the anonymous claimants, in relation to alleged breaches of human rights, associated with third-party security operations, within the SML.

Download Petra’s Human Rights Policy Statement

Please see below Petra’s public disclosures regarding the allegations detailed above.

26 October 2021 – Update on remedial programmes at the Williamson Mine

12 May 2021 – Findings of the Independent Board Sub Committee

12 May 2021 – Findings of the Independent Board Sub Committee – Swahili version

12 May 2021 – Settlement of Human Rights claims at Williamson Mine

30 March 2021 – Update Regarding the Publication of Report on Williamson Mine 

25 March 2021 – Response to report published by RAID

9 February 2021 – Update regarding allegations of human rights abuses at the Williamson Mine in Tanzania

12 November 2020 – Statement regarding allegations of human rights abuses from RAID

9 September 2020 – Statement regarding allegations of human rights abuses at the Williamson Mine in Tanzania

Please see below the responses Petra has sent to RAID regarding the allegations.

Letter dated 23 March 2021

Letter dated 11 November 2020

Letter dated 13 October 2020 

Additional Documents 

Williamson Diamonds Limited contract with GardaWorld West Security Limited Tanzania dated 1 March 2021