Bâtirente Writes to Barrick Gold2009-12-21
Bâtirente and Northwest & Ethical Investments have writen to Barrick Gold expressing concern over the company's defamation lawsuit against Les Éditions Écosociété, a small publisher in Quebec.
Barrick Gold is claiming C$6 million from the publisher and authors of Noir Canada in relation with parts of the book which link the mining company to human rights abuses.
Batirente and Northwest & Ethical Investments, both shareholders of Barrick, are concerned that this legal action is risky for the company.
The legal action which has the appearance of a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) could negatively impact Barrick's reputation and business development. The two investment organisations also believe that it is an inefficient use of corporate resources. It can also hamper the free flow of independant information which is essential for investors to analyze extrafinancial risks of companies.
Letter sent to Barrick Gold on December 3rd, 2009