On Friday, April 3, 2015, eleven of the estimated 120-200 women raped at Barrick's Porgera mine settled on a compensation package from the company, negotiated by US-law firm Earth Rights International. Family members of three people killed in mine violence also received an undisclosed amount of compensation for their suffering. This victory is the result of a decade of advocacy from groups such as the Atali Tange Association, the Porgera Alliance, Harvard Legal Clinic, New York University law school, Mining Watch Canada, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. However, we should remember that far more than these eleven women were brutally raped by Barrick's security forces and continue to fight for justice, accountability, and a removal of the conditions leading to these abuses.

The community continues to advocate for their collective resettlement away from the mine. At ProtestBarrick, we will continue to support the community in this long-term solution to widespread mine violence.

Some media coverage of the recent victory:

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: 200 girls and women raped: now 11 of them win better compensation from the world's biggest gold miner

THE GUARDIAN (UK): Canada mining firm compensates Papua New Guinea women after alleged rapes

MINING WATCH PRESS STATEMENT:
Barrick Settlement on Rapes and Killings in Papua New Guinea Proof that Victims Need Independent Legal Counsel