After reviewing and discussing each of your concerns with the External Committee, we have jointly concluded that it is in the best interests of all stakeholders for us to proceed... [We] can attest to the deliberative process undertaken by Barrick and informed by diverse stakeholders to select the External Committee, which is comprised of leading experts in human rights and violence against women. Credibility in the eyes of stakeholders is a paramount concern... [We] are relying on the experience and expertise of the External Committee to inform the rigor of our approach and ensure the credibility of the final report... We are relying on our own experience with such engagement [with victims of sexual violence], as well as the advice of the External Committee and experts in researching sexual violence in Papua New Guinea, to ensure that our protocols are appropriate and effective in Porgera... [Our] assessment will focus on the experience of claimants and potential claimants, “relevant provisions of the Guiding Principles” and “relevant norms of international law”... Our intention has always been to be transparent about the assessment framework and methodology, as we agree that it is essential to the final assessment’s credibility. But we believe the right place to do that is in the final assessment itself...