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Newmont strives to build trust with stakeholders through proactive, transparent, and inclusive engagement. We seek to develop and maintain long-term relationships with communities based on trust and integrity.

As a Company, we are required to be transparent about our achievements and challenges. We publish a yearly sustainability report which aligns with our values of safety, integrity, sustainability, inclusion and responsibility.

While we may not always agree with the positions taken by others, we are committed to being truthful about the facts surrounding key issues, learning from our mistakes, and respecting differing viewpoints. We remain open to engaging constructively to address claims in a way that is consistent with our values, standards and international commitments.

Labor Relations, Mexico Chaupe Land Dispute, Peru Human Rights at Marlin, Guatemala Water at Peñasquito, Mexico Ahafo Fatalities, Ghana Ecological Taxes, Mexico Union Dispute, USA ASM updates at Ahafo, Ghana Historical health accusations at Yanacocha, Peru

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Chaupe Land Dispute, Peru

Chaupe Land Dispute, Peru

We continue to manage a complex land dispute in Peru with the Chaupe family related to parcels of land purchased by the company between 1996 and 1997. Early dialogue processes were established with the family but these stalled when an NGO representing the family became involved. The dispute has been through various legal process at different levels of the Peruvian courts over the years. In May of 2015, following allegations of harassment against the Chaupes, Newmont commissioned RESOLVE – an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to multi-stakeholder consensus building – to establish an independent body to objectively examine the facts underpinning the dispute, our actions and behaviours and publicly disclose their findings. The 18-month process included an extensive document review and interviews with and input from the Chaupe family, their supporters, Peruvian authorities and Newmont employees. The report and all of our statements about the situation have been public since 2015 and are available on the link below.

During and after the independent fact finding mission and report we engaged with the Chaupe family both through intermediaries and directly to demonstrate our interest in good faith dialogue and resolution of the dispute. We collectively achieved important progress in establishing a relationship and building trust.

Unfortunately, this process was interrupted a few years ago when Newmont was informed by the legal counsel of an NGO that it was now legally representing the Chaupe family and had filed a lawsuit in 2017 in the United States, at which time we were informed to stop all direct communications with the Chaupe family.

The lawsuit was dismissed twice by the United States trial court, and the dismissal was affirmed by the United States appellate court in December 2020, based on the conclusion that any legal disputes should be resolved in the Peruvian courts—not in the United States.

In July 2021, the NGO representing the Chaupes, filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to review the decision to dismiss the case in the United States. The Chaupe family’s claims remain without merit, and we think that continued lawsuits are not productive. Instead, we continue to publicly express our desire for dialogue and dispute resolution.

Chaupe Land Dispute Statements

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports:

Human Rights at Marlin, Guatemala

Human Rights at Marlin, Guatemala

The Marlin Mine, located in Guatemala, was owned and operated by Goldcorp from October 2005 until May 2017. When Newmont purchased Goldcorp in 2019, Marlin was already in closure and reclamation. Mine closure and reclamation started in June 2017 and physical reclamation activities were completed late 2020.

In 2007, the Government of Guatemala was subject to a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) about the permitting process for the mine. Goldcorp undertook a human rights assessment to address concerns expressed by stakeholders and understand how the policies, procedures and practices at the Marlin Mine may have affected human rights.

Please see the links below to review historical documentation and the latest updates regarding the status of the grievances addressed. 

Marlin Mine Statements:

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports:

Water at Peñasquito, Mexico

Water at Peñasquito, Mexico

The Peñasquito mine, located in the Zacatecas state of Mexico, has faced a number of illegal blockades since operations began in 2010. Following the Goldcorp acquisition in April 2019, Newmont started operating the mine and entered into a Government-led multi stakeholder dialogue process to address the concerns presented by members of the San Juan de Cedros community (one of 25 communities located in Peñasquito zone of influence). The dialogue process resulted in the resolution of a number of issues including a commitment from Newmont to operate potable water treatment plants, water production wells and agricultural production wells. Peñasquito has enhanced water availability for the mine’s neighboring communities through a number of projects including water treatment plants, new wells, pipelines and water trucks, along with 90 other infrastructure and community development projects. The mine directly employs more than 5,000 people while supporting another 20,000 indirect jobs in the region. Since 2005, the Company has invested approximately US$5 billion in Peñasquito.

In December 2019, a historic water pact was agreed to, which included securing a sustainable water supply for the Cedros community’s domestic and agricultural uses. In August 2020, a significant milestone was reached with the formal ratification of an agreement with the Cedros community. The agreement involves sustainable long-term solutions related to the leasing of land for the operation, infrastructure for drinking and agricultural water and social investment. Importantly, it states that any future complaint will be resolved through dialogue and without blockages.

Since 2019, regular monthly follow up meetings are held with all parties to track progress and ensure commitments are being met in line with the agreed schedule.

Peñasquito Statements:

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports:

Ahafo Fatalities, Ghana

Ahafo Fatalities, Ghana

On April 7th 2018, a tragic incident at the Ahafo Mill Expansion project in Ghana resulted in six fatalities. A contractor crew of eight people was working inside a concrete reclaim tunnel when the roof collapsed. Of these eight, two individuals escaped with minor injuries. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene but six people lost their lives in the roof collapse.

While no action can adequately address this tragic loss of life, Newmont fully cooperated with the Inspectorate Division of the Minerals Commission to support their investigation of the incident and provided support and counselling services to the families and workers. A long-term, comprehensive and sustainable financial assistance package for the grieving families was provided.

A thorough investigation into the root causes of the collapse took place with critical learning sessions involving more than 9,500 employees and contractors. Each site identified priority actions and developed plans to address the actions and their effectiveness. We developed global standards for barricading and exclusion zones to support regional standard operating procedures and identified additional critical controls associated with our top fatality risks that must be in place every time a task involving the risk is undertaken.

Ahafo Fatalities Statements:

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports:

Ecological Taxes, Mexico

Ecological taxes, Mexico

In March 2017, Newmont, along with other companies, challenged the constitutionality and legality of environmental taxes that the State of Zacatecas approved in December 2016. The wording of the December 2016 legislation is ambiguous and provides little direction for how the taxes are to be calculated and levied. There was an initial ruling in favor of the Company but overturned on appeal. However, several other courts have found the tax unconstitutional creating ambiguity as to the viability of the tax. The State of Zacatecas did not issue a notice of tax or assessment to the Company.

In August of 2020, Newmont paid to the State of Zacatecas an amount of tax calculated by the Company for years 2017-2020, reserving the right to dispute the constitutionality or future assessment of the tax. Since the initial tax payment was completed, Newmont and the State of Zacatecas government have been meeting on a regular basis to review and agree on the technical basis of the tax calculations. In December 2020, Newmont held meetings with the Secretary of Finances of the State of Zacatecas to provide evidence of the calculations used by the company to substantiate the tax calculation based on the articulation of exemptions in Mexico’s mining law (including Articles 4 and 8), emission calculations and the composition of mine waste. Newmont completed a second tax payment to the State of Zacatecas on December 18, 2020 to demonstrate our commitment to meet our legal tax obligations. The payment was based on company’s calculations in line with its technical basis as presented to the State government.

The Zacatecas State Government approved an amendment to correct the current wording of the law which is similar to the interpretation of the Company. The new wording may provide opportunities to challenge the extraction and storage of material taxes in the future.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company and the State of Zacatecas reached an agreement in principle for the Company to pay for the taxes in dispute related to tax years 2017-2020, and also arrived at a formula for the payments for tax years 2021-2024, with an agreed-upon basis for the extraction, storage activities, and gas emissions for such years. The agreements have been completed and ratified by the relevant governmental authorities, and the payments were made in the second quarter of 2021.

Newmont is a company that respects the law. Newmont is up to date with the payments of Zacatecas ecological tax and has already paid all taxes up to December 2021 for more than $30 Million – this is recognized by the fiscal authorities of the State of Zacatecas.

Newmont discloses its tax and broader socio-economic contributions in our Annual Report and in our annual sustainability report which includes information about 2020’s payment of $45.45M in taxes and royalties in Mexico. Further detail on this issue is provided in Newmont’s 10-K and 10-Q forms as follows: 10-K (pg.31 and 160: Note 31, “Commitments and Contingencies", and pg.27: "Risk Factors" under the heading "New legislation and tax risks in certain operating jurisdictions could negatively affect us”), 10-Q (pg. 36: “Mexico Tax Matters”).

Ecological tax Statements:

Supportive Company Policies, Standards, Reports and Membership Obligations:

Union Dispute, USA

Union Dispute, USA

For more than 50 years, Newmont has enjoyed a mutually respectful and productive relationship with the Union representing employees from its Nevada operations (Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3). Newmont recognized the union and abided by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that covers union member employee-employer relations for the period when Newmont was the employer.

As part of the terms of the Nevada Gold Mines JV (NGM), formed on July 1, 2019 between Barrick and Newmont, Barrick gained operational control of the venture, gaining sole decision-making authority over employee-related issues that impact labor-management relations without requiring consultation with Newmont.

From late December 2019 to mid-February 2020, Newmont produced information to the Union, met with the Union and maintains transparent lines of communication with the Union. However, decisions with respect to employees and the Union rest with the operator of NGM, Barrick.

In March 2020, the National Labor Relations Board filed an administrative action and a lawsuit seeking an injunction stating that Nevada Gold Mines refused to recognize International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3 as the bargaining representative at mining facilities formerly owned and operated by Newmont in the Carlin trend of Nevada.

In August 2020, NGM, the National Labor Relations Board and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3, reached an agreement to settle the complaint, restore working conditions and benefits and reimburse union employees for lost wages. NGM agreed not to interfere with the ability of its workers to join a union and to work collaboratively with Union and non-union workforce members.

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports:

ASM updates at Ahafo, Ghana

ASM updates at Ahafo, Ghana

Illegal artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) can pose significant security, safety and environmental issues. At our Ahafo South mine in Ghana we face persistent illegal mining encroachment. In June and July 2021, two incidents took place. The first involved demands from a group of illegal miners for the release seven suspected illegal operators who had been arrested. Buses used for employees from surrounding communities were vandalized. The second incident involved an attack on police by illegal miners with weapons and the police reportedly acted in self-defense to protect themselves. Access to community routes were then blocked by the miners and buses and company property vandalized. 

We remain committed to working with community leaders, government and security agencies to protect our people, assets and local communities in Ghana.

Newmont also recognizes that not all ASM involves illegal activity and legitimate ASM and ASM service sectors can play an important role in supporting the livelihoods of local communities Our global ASM strategy recognizes that security and risk management must sit alongside livelihood development and that we must work with others to identify solutions and best practice.

Supportive Company Policies, Standard and Reports:

Historical health accusations at Yanacocha, Peru

Historical health accusations at Yanacocha, Peru

In 2014, accusations were made against Yanacocha by a group of former employees raising concerns about environmental and health impacts they claim were connected to the company’s activities. Complainants alleged that they suffered from heavy metal contamination as a result of their work at Yanacocha and that their health records were not made available to them. One complainant started a judicial process against Yanacocha for compensation for damages and for the granting of private health insurance for life. The case was dismissed based on:

  • The veracity of the health data used to prove poisoning
  • Misstated qualifications of the doctor analyzing test results privately for the complainant
  • A medical report that lacked consistency and minimum logical and technical support to prove the metal poisoning
  • Symptoms presented as evidence for contamination being inconsistent with how poisoning of the metals referenced would present themselves

In addition to the complaint filed as part of the judicial process, a number of other complaints were submitted to the International Finance Corporation - Compliance Advisor Ombudsman.

Newmont is committed to protecting our workforce and the communities where we operate by managing the safety and health risks inherent in our business. We rigorously pursue a fatality, injury and illness-free culture.

Compliance Advisor Ombudsman Reports:

Supportive Company Policies, Standard and Reports:

Labor Relations, Mexico

Labor Relations, Mexico

On June 7, 2023, Newmont suspended operations at our Peñasquito mine in Mexico while refuting claims by the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic (“the Union”) regarding violating legal regulations and labor agreements. We urged the Union to abide by the mutually agreed Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) negotiated and signed by both parties in June of 2022.

The Union notified the Company of a strike action demanding an increase in the uncapped profit sharing benefit provided for in the CBA from 10 percent to 20 percent, representing a 100 percent increase. In response to the strike notice, Minera Peñasquito has suspended operations in a safe and orderly manner. Essential activities related to safety, security and environmental monitoring and protection continue.

Prior to the strike action, Newmont attempted, in good faith, to resolve disputes regarding the provisions in the CBA, negotiated and signed by both parties for the period of June 2022 through June 2024. This agreement covered a range of benefits, including an annual profit sharing provision based on a consistent calculation formula. The calculation method was previously agreed with the Union and applies the same formula to calculate the profit sharing benefit payments for both 2022 and 2023. On May 30, 2023, Minera Peñasquito paid all eligible employees the mutually agreed upon 10 percent profit sharing benefit for 2023, accurately and on time in compliance with the CBA.

Newmont remains willing to participate in conciliation meetings to reach a resolution in accordance with the CBA, and will continue to adhere to legal procedures, respecting the rights of all its employees, inviting the Union to engage in a constructive dialogue, and providing the authorities with all requested information. Newmont is committed to the highest standards for integrity and transparency, and looks forward to returning its focus to safe and sustainable mining at Peñasquito for the benefit of the workforce and surrounding communities.

Company Statements

Supportive Company Policies, Standards and Reports: