Petra Hit with Fresh Allegations of Abuses

RAPAPORT... Petra Diamonds has begun an investigation into new claims of violence at its Williamson mine in Tanzania following a lawsuit last year.The fresh allegations were of assaults and human-rights violations by Tanzanian guards and the miner's security contractor between November 2020 and January 2021, Petra said Wednesday. Many of the incidents required force to defend people and property from illegal diggers, the company added. Petra will provide an update on the probe in March, it said.In May 2020, UK law firm Leigh Day sued Petra on behalf of 32 anonymous individuals alleging abuses at Williamson. Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID), a UK-based nonprofit, later published a report containing similar claims. The latest allegations confirm "in no uncertain terms that force continues to be used against artisanal miners, and that the steps [Petra] has taken to date have been ineffective," RAID said Wednesday.Image: The Williamson processing plant. (Petra Diamonds)