Nokundi:Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) has issued a statement to clarify recent misinformation and false allegations circulating on local media and social media regarding the dismissal of a female employee from its safety department. Allegations suggest that the employee was terminated without cause; however, RDMC asserts that the dismissal was based on findings from a comprehensive investigation adhering to Barrick’s global protocols.
According to the company, both RDMC and Barrick implement a rigorous safety system when awarding contracts to new contractors. This system ensures that all personnel are trained and competent to use equipment safely. The investigation revealed that both the contractor under scrutiny and an RDMC employee attempted to violate safety protocols, which posed a risk to all personnel at the Reko Diq mine site. This constitutes a clear breach of RDMC’s policies designed to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, including local staff.
As a result of this breach, the contractor will not be considered for future contracts at Reko Diq, and the employee has been dismissed. Since the initiation of the investigation, multiple misleading social media posts have claimed that “youth groups” should oppose this dismissal. These posts falsely allege that Reko Diq does not promote local employment and include threatening language directed at RDMC employees.
RDMC and Barrick take these threats seriously and will not tolerate any form of intimidation against their staff. The company emphasizes its commitment to creating local employment opportunities and notes that several skill development programs are currently underway. Approximately 80% of RDMC’s staff comprises individuals from Balochistan.
Barrick, the operator of RDMC, adheres to the highest standards of business integrity, ethics, and safety. The company maintains a zero-tolerance policy against unethical actions by its executives, employees, and contractors. This policy is crucial to ensuring the safety of its workforce, the majority of whom are from the local community, while sustaining the success of the Reko Diq project.
The Reko Diq project promises to provide thousands of jobs and unprecedented economic benefits to the Chagai district and the Balochistan province. RDMC is committed to upholding its standards, regardless of pressure from individuals prioritizing personal interests over the project’s or community’s best interests.
