Barrick waandika barua ya wazi juu ya madai ya FoundationHELP

[Gold Digger]

Open letter responding to allegations concerning Mara Mine, Tanzania

Barrick Gold Corporation and African Barrick Gold would like to take this opportunity to respond to false allegations made by Foundation HELP, a non-governmental organization located in the Tarime District of Tanzania.
We are deeply concerned that Foundation HELP continues to circulate alarming material which attributes serious health ailments to the operations of the North Mara mine. The material in question features photographs of two persons, a young male and an elderly female, with severe skin conditions. Devoid of medical evidence of any kind, these images are the basis for a “call to action” against the mine and have been distributed widely via the internet by activist groups.

• View Foundation HELP material

African Barrick Gold has taken a series of actions consistent with our commitment as a responsible corporate citizen. To be clear, any credible claim of a health issue associated with the company’s operations (whether involving an employee or community member) would be assessed and any necessary medical assistance provided.

We have attempted to identify and locate these two individuals. Although we enlisted the assistance of government and village leaders, we have been unable to do so. No one has come forward or indicated they know these persons or could assist us.

We then consulted with a team of medical experts, namely Dr. Robert Weiss, President, Dermatology Society of South Africa, Dr. Rob Barbour, Chief Medical Officer for Barrick Gold Corporation, Dr. Mark Divall, an occupational health physician based in South Africa, and Mr. Yahya Kishahu, an occupational health specialist and academic with Muhimbili University College for Health Sciences of Tanzania.
They each examined the photographs and provided their assessment of the possible causes of the medical conditions afflicting the two individuals. Their analysis is limited to the images circulated and, to arrive at a comprehensive conclusion, a full medical examination and case history would be required.
Based on their assessment, however, the image of the elderly woman (identified as Mama Otaigo, allegedly from Weigita village) shows a condition that is entirely consistent with vitiligo, a chronic disorder that causes depigmentation of patches of skin. The causes or origins of this disease is largely unknown but is widely considered to have an immunological basis.
The image of a young boy (identified as Paul, allegedly from Nkerege village) is consistent with a form of ichthyoids (Lamellar), an inherited skin disorder which causes plate-like scaling of the entire body surface and is present at birth.
These medical disorders are chronic, long-term diseases caused by genetics, immunological or other conditions. They were not caused by impacts associated with the North Mara operation over the past year, as claimed by Foundation HELP.
As Dr. Weiss stated, “there is no doubt that neither of these conditions are the result of contaminated water.” Furthermore, the two villages cited by Foundation HELP are located some 30 to 35 kilometers away from North Mara and both are upstream from the mine.
To our knowledge, Foundation HELP has made no effort to have these cases brought to the attention of authorities or a qualified medical professional. No effort has been made to contact the company or the mine.
Thus, we have concluded that Foundation HELP’s claims are neither credible nor motivated out of concern for these two individuals. This organization is not raising awareness of a public health concern or seeking assistance for these alleged victims. Rather, this material exploits the ill-health of others to mobilize anti-mining sentiment and harm the reputation of our companies.
ABG has requested that Foundation HELP cease from repeating and circulating these defamatory allegations. Regrettably, their response has been to ignore this appeal, to circulate this material more widely, and avoid taking any responsibility for the truthfulness of their claims. For this reason, ABG directed legal counsel to contact this organization to seek a retraction of this material from circulation. We continue to strongly urge all those involved with Foundation HELP to be accountable and refrain from repeating these false allegations.
We are also concerned about the health and well-being of this young boy and elderly woman. On humanitarian grounds, ABG’s medical professionals would welcome the opportunity to provide assistance by directing them to the appropriate medical experts.
As leaders in corporate social responsibility, Barrick and ABG are committed to making a positive contribution to local communities. To date, we have invested US$40 million in community programs and initiatives in Tanzania, including vital health programs which have benefited tens of thousands of people.
We will continue to ensure that our stakeholders have accurate information about the impact and benefits of our operations in Tanzania, today and in the future.

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[Baba_Enock]

Siganture yako says it all:

Every moment of every day is another chance to CHANGE things

 

[kaburunye]

Hawa Barrick wanataka kujifanya ni good corporate citizens!!!!! We are not fools, we know what is going on. Unfortunately, kuna watanzania wanaosumbuliwa na njaa (funny lawyers) ambao wanapewa vijisenti kidogo na kuisaliti nchi yetu. hawa ndo wanawapa kichwa hawa wazungu wa barrick. Napenda wanasheria wa aina ya Tindu Lisu ambao wako tayari kufa masikini kuliko kuramba miguu ya wazungu. IMMMA advocate ni walewale, wao ndo wanasheria wa kila kampuni yenye sikendo zote za kifisadi. Wanamitandao mipana sana ya kifisadi. Aibuuuuuuuuu

 

[Msanii]

BARICK gold bariiid

 

[KiuyaJibu]

Hapa inabidi iende team ya madaktari ambao hawafungamani na upande wowote ili kuthibitisha hiyo hali ya afya ya hao ndugu zetu kama kweli haihusiani na shughuli za uchimbaji madini katika eneo hilo ambalo Barrick wamekabidhiwa.
Halafu hao nao watoe report yao then Barrick pia watoe yao;hapo ndipo yeyote anaruhusiwa kusema kutokana na matokeo ya uchunguzi uliofanya na pande zote mbili.Haiwezekani mshitakiwa ajichunguze mwenyewe!Hiyo siyo sahihi hata kidogo,ni sawasawa na kujiibia mali yako mwenyewe.
Tofauti na hivyo,ni uzushi mtupu.

 

[Pascal Mayalla]

Hawa Barrick wanataka kujifanya ni good corporate citizens!!!!! We are not fools, we know what is going on. Unfortunately, kuna watanzania wanaosumbuliwa na njaa (funny lawyers) ambao wanapewa vijisenti kidogo na kuisaliti nchi yetu. hawa ndo wanawapa kichwa hawa wazungu wa barrick. Napenda wanasheria wa aina ya Tindu Lisu ambao wako tayari kufa masikini kuliko kuramba miguu ya wazungu. IMMMA advocate ni walewale, wao ndo wanasheria wa kila kampuni yenye sikendo zote za kifisadi. Wanamitandao mipana sana ya kifisadi. Aibuuuuuuuuu

Kaburunye, walichosema Barrick ni kuwa hizi tuhuma ni za kutunga, hao watu hawapo, hawa exist. Kwa mujibu ya taarifa hii ya Barrick, wanaonyesha Barrick ni wakweli na hizo tuhuma ni majungu tupu.

Nilibahatika kuwepo bungeni Dodoma ile Mwezi Aprili wakati wakijadili taarifa ya kamati ya Bunge iliyochunguza tuhuma dhidi ya uchavuzi wa mazingira ya lake Mara. Kitu cha ajabu sana nilichoshuhudia ni wajumbe wote wa ile kamati, walichangia kwa kuifagilia Barrick funika bovu!, taarifa ya ile kamati niliiscan na kuileta humu JF, na kucoment ni miongoni mwa taarifa za ajabu zilizopokelewa na bunge letu na zika sail through kiulaini huku mambo ya msingi yakiachwa yamefunikwa.

Miongoni mwa funika kombe za ripoti hiyo ni kutofanyika kwa EIA kabla ya mradi, na baada ya kutokea tuhuma, hakuna scientific evidence ya any co-relation kati ya uchafuzi wa mazingira na hayo matatizo yatokanayo ambayo unaweza kuwa direct linked na Barrick.

Barrick Oye!, Wawekezaji Oye!

Tuombe Mungu mkweli atinge Ikulu, nawahakikishia, kuna wawekezaji watafungasha, na watajitokeza wengine wa ukweli, kwa sababu jamaa ni " No nonsense man"!.

 

[King’asti]

Two issues for Barrick:
1. Have they tried to contact FOUNDATION HELP to help identify and investigate the incident so that they can show their corporate social responsibility??(manake maji yenye sumu wakati yanatiririka na kulalamikiwa walisema wananchi ndo waliokosea kwa kuiba turubai lililokuwa linazuia ground water contamination. Hii sio corporate social resp[onsibility hata kidogo manake ni wajibu wa barrick kuhakikisha usalama wa mali(ikiwa ni pamoja na maturubai na miundombinu yao mingine) baada ya kuhakikisha usalama wa watu na mazingira)

2. Hao madaktari waliotumika ni wa kwao,hawakuona haja ya kuhusisha vyombo vya kizalendo katika kushughulikia hili tatizo?na huyo MR YAHYA KISHASHU ndiye leading dermatologist wa Tz au?Manake they could use a few Tz drs in investigating the photos.

Otherwise its upon them to clear their 'good' name rather than attacking FH. FH is an NGO that is just supporting and raising awareness in the society (kama sikosei)

 

[Jasusi]

Na ule ushahidi aliopewa naibu waziri Kagasheki uliishia wapi? Something ain't right

 

[Domhome]

Kwa migodi ya Dhahabu hapa Tanzania, Barrick inaongoza kwa skendo hilo hata Naibu Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani ni shahidi.

Hongera sana Golden Pride Project yaani Resolute Tanzania Limited, kwakuwa mgodi pekee wa Dhahabu na ni mfano wa kuigwa kwa kutokuwa na Kashfa nyingi kama zile za Kampuni ya Barrick. Bravo, Resolute Mining Company(Nzega).

 

[King’asti]

Na ule ushahidi aliopewa naibu waziri Kagasheki uliishia wapi? Something ain't right

hawa wanajua wenyewe game gani wanacheza.ila wanataka kututumia sie kama waimba chorus. hao wahanga walikuwa wanawatafuta kwa tochi huko kwenye vichaka vya shinyanga?? mbona hatujaona rai kwenye media kuwa kama wahanga wapo au kama kuna yeyote anayejua walipo ajitokeze atoe ushirikiano?