abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

2 Nov 2012

Author:
Canadian OECD National Contact Point

[PDF] Initial assessment of the Canadian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

See all tags
...[T]he United Mongolian Movement of Rivers and Lakes...Oyu Tolgoi Watch...and MiningWatch Canada...submitted a request for review to the National Contact Point (NCP) of Canada for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises...in relation to the operations of Centerra Gold Inc. at the Boroo Mine and the Gatsuurt gold deposit in Selenge Province, Mongolia...The notifiers allege that forest cutting, digging and the use of explosives in the Gatsuurt project area have released arsenic and other heavy metals into the river which has affected the health of the local population...The NCP considers that there is acknowledgement that the water resources are contaminated. However, it is not clear that this is attributable to the company. There is a history of artisanal mining in the area. The NCP considers this issue to be material, but not substantiated as being caused by the company...The notifiers allege that the company has breached the OECD Guidelines by failing to respect the right to religious freedom of the local community...[T]he notifiers allege that without consultations with the local population, the company expanded its territory by at least two kilometres, thereby fencing off the sacred mount...As the local population appears to still have access to Mount Noyon through alternative routes...it is not clear how the company failed to respect the religious freedom of the local community. The NCP does not consider the issues to be material or substantiated...There is a link between the company’s activities and the application of the law, the access and human rights issues...the company’s activities at Boroo with respect to water...[T]he link is not established with respect to the water issues at Gatsuurt.

Timeline