" Petra Diamonds’ attempts to come clean with its tarnished past in Tanzania" 9 November

This report assesses Petra Diamonds’ efforts to restore community relations and remediate the legacy of serious human rights abuse at its Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania. Reports of abuse had circulated unaddressed since at least 2011. They included allegations of beatings, torture, illegal detentions, indiscriminate shootings, sexual violence and killings of locals entering Williamson Diamonds’ sizable concession to search for diamonds, herd livestock or collect firewood. In 2020, UK law firm Leigh Day, filed an action in the UK High Court on behalf of victims and their families against Petra as majority owner of Williamson Diamonds Ltd. The action saw Petra’s senior management instigate its own investigation into the allegations, which confirmed the loss of life, injury and mistreatment of intruders caused by the mine’s private security guards and police operating on Williamson Diamonds’ concession. In May 2021, Petra agreed to a settlement with 96 Tanzanian claimants, committing to a detailed settlement package worth approximately €5 million. This package entailed compensation for victims, community development projects and the establishment of a grievance mechanism to remedy additional harms. Petra has since relinquished its majority stake in Williamson Diamonds – held since 2009 – though still maintains a notable shareholding.

July 2022 and October 2023, IPIS engaged in an assessment of how the 2021 legal settlement is perceived by and impacts upon residents of villages adjacent to the Williamson mine. It conducted extensive field research, including over 120 interviews with local residents, civil society and local authority actors, as well as engaging key stakeholders, including Petra. This primary research was supplemented by a detailed analysis of corporate reporting, media reports and investigations by civil society and other actors.