Community members in Bandayi and Mege, DRC vs. AngloGold Ashanti

Date filed

5 February 2024

Keywords

Countries of harm

Congo, The Democratic Republic of the

Current status

Under review

Sector

Mining

NCP

NCP United Kingdom

Allegations

On 5 February 2024, more than 2360 households from the villages of Bandayi and Mege in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, represented by an individual, filed a complaint against AngloGold Ashanti PLC to the UK NCP. The complaint relates to an incident occurring on 22 October 2021 by security agents allegedly under the instruction of Kibali Goldmines (a joint venture involving AngloGold Ashanti and Barrick Gold (both holding 45% ownership), and a DRC state-owned mining company) involving forced evictions, destruction of dwellings and other private property, deaths, and arrests. The complainants allege failures to comply with the Human Rights and Tax chapters of the OECD Guidelines. The complainants are seeking financial compensation to support the affected families and to assist with their relocation.

The issues raised in this complaint were previously raised by the complainants in a separate complaint filed to the Canadian NCP on 10 May 2022 against Barrick Gold. A linked complaint was filed to the UK NCP in 2022, but later withdrawn by the complainant.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

Outcome

On 12 December 2025, the UK NCP accepted the complaint and offered mediation to both parties. The NCP considered that a further examination was required to establish if the processes and procedures of due diligence were applied in a way which was consistent with the OECD Guidelines in relation to the incidents of October 2021. The NCP also stated that AngloGold Ashanti’s 45% share meant that it had significant leverage over the mine and its operating partners in Kibali.