Response from Lundin Gold
We take very seriously our commitments to respect human rights in all of our activities... [A] number of aspects have been incorrectly reported in the press and in the publication you reference, “Voices from the Ground: How the Global Mining Industry is Profiting from the COVID-19 Pandemic”. An important point to correct is that FDN is wholly-owned and managed by Lundin Gold. While Newcrest is a major shareholder in Lundin Gold, it is not a joint operator of the mine as is implied in the publication.
... Though the cited report notes an incident occurring on 17 May 2020, in fact it occurred during the evening of 16 May 2020. It is not disputed that the mayor of the city of Zamora, together with a group of 15-20 supporters, blocked the main road and thus prevented the convoys from passing. Subsequently, it is our understanding that:
- The police officers present spoke with the group to inform them of the national government’s jurisdiction over the strategic sectors and the requirement to allow safe passage for associated vehicles.
- The group refused to leave the road.
- The police then started to clear the roadblocks, at which time a scuffle ensued and several protesters assaulted the police. As a result, three of the protesters were arrested.