ATTAC & FoE Sweden vs. Sandvik

Allegations

This case concerns pollution and human rights violations in gold mining industry in Ghana. Atlas Copco and Sandvik supply mining equipment and services, including personnel, to Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) in Ghana. AGC has been accused of repeatedly violating human and environmental rights and standards. NGOs have charged that AGC has forcibly evicted, persecuted and killed local villagers, destroyed villages and destroyed water and agricultural land by discharging cyanide and other heavy metals.

The complaint states that given the 10-year relationship Atlas Copco and Sandvik have with AGC, including having a physical presence in Ghana, the companies bear responsibility for AGC’s harmful activities.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

• Version 2000 Chapter II
• Version 2000 Chapter II Paragraph II.1
• Version 2000 Chapter II Paragraph II.10
• Version 2000 Chapter II Paragraph II.2
• Version 2000 Chapter III
• Version 2000 Chapter III Paragraph III.2
• Version 2000 Chapter V
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.1 Subparagraph V.1.A
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.1 Subparagraph V.1.B
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.1 Subparagraph V.1.C
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.2 Subparagraph V.2.A
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.2 Subparagraph V.2.B
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.5
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.6 Subparagraph V.6.A
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.6 Subparagraph V.6.B
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.6 Subparagraph V.6.C
• Version 2000 Chapter V Paragraph V.8

Outcome

The parties met with the NCP twice. In the second meeting, the companies refused to participate in a dialogue and instead only presented their reports and position.

In June 2002, the NCP released a statement that recognized that environmental and social problems exist in Ghana’s mining sector, but said the companies’ role in this case was limited. The NCP’s statement concluded the companies have not failed to comply with the Guidelines, but encouraged them to inform their subsidiaries and staff in Ghana on the Guidelines. The statement referred to the existence of an established regulatory framework and judicial institutions to tackle these problems. However, the NCP also acknowledged that these processes and institutions wrestle with difficulties normally associated with developing countries such as insufficient resources and capacity.

The complainants recommended three concrete steps that they wished the NCP had taken, including establishing a rough time-plan and date for the first dialogue meeting between the parties. The NGOs also inquired why the Guidelines’ human rights provision was not applicable and why the NCP did not comment on this issue in its statement. The NCP responded stating the case was closed and it was not necessary to continue the process.

More details

Related complaints

• ATTAC & FoE Sweden vs. Atlas Copco

Documents

• statement

  1 June 2003

  The NCP issued a final statement.

  NCP Sweden
• accept

  25 February 2003

  The Swedish NCP accepted the case.

  NCP Sweden
• file

  18 February 2003

  Complaint filed with the Swedish NCP.

  ATTAC Sweden