Read the initial assessment published by the NCP 20 November 2023: English | French
Read the final statement published by the NCP 29 April 2024: English | French
On 10 September 2022, United Tegaru Canada, a Canadian NGO with a mission to advocate and amplify the voices of the Tigrayan people, submitted a specific instance to the Canadian NCP alleging that Sun Peak Metals Corporation, a Canadian junior mining company focused on mineral exploration projects in Ethiopia, had not observed the Human Rights (Chapter IV) provisions of the Guidelines. Specifically, the submitter claimed that by operating in Ethiopia – and specifically by paying taxes/licensing fees to the Government of Ethiopia – Sun Peak Metals, is or has been involved with and/or contributing to adverse human rights impacts linked to violations allegedly committed by that country’s government in the context of the Tigray conflict. The submitter also questioned whether Sun Peak Metals had a policy commitment to human rights and whether the company was undertaking appropriate human rights due diligence.
On 20 November 2023, the NCP published an initial assessment deciding to accept the case for further examination, only in relation to human rights due diligence. The NCP made an offer of good offices based on constructive dialogue rather than to reach an agreement, as requested by the submitter, which both parties accepted. The NCP observed a largely constructive discussion that contributed to a greater mutual understanding between the parties and heightened awareness of the Guidelines and how they might inform the enterprise’s activities.
On 29 April 2024, the NCP published a final statement concluding the process. The final statement noted a February 2024 press release by the enterprise concerning preparations to renew its exploration activities in Ethiopia. The NCP noted that there was no mention of human rights due diligence in the press release. The NCP recommended that the enterprise include more specific information about its human rights due diligence in future public communications, and describe how its commitment to conduct human rights due diligence had been or would be informing its preparations to resume work on exploration properties in Ethiopia.
The NCP committed to follow up on its recommendation within four months of the final statement’s publication.