Centuries-old London Good Delivery system faces modern accountability test
B•The London Bullion Market Association will defend a High Court claim from October 7 over alleged killings of two Tanzanian artisanal miners in 2019. Their families say the LBMA negligently re-certified a refinery that processed gold from the North Mara mine.
1. Claim over mine deaths
Relatives of two artisanal miners allege that Tanzanian police, private security guards or both killed them at the North Mara mine in 2019. Their lawyers say the LBMA was negligent in re-certifying a Good Delivery refinery that processed the mine’s gold while serious human rights abuses were ongoing.
2. LBMA rejects responsibility
The LBMA denies that it owed the alleged duty of care. CEO Ruth Crowell said the claim misconstrues the association’s role in the supply chain and that it is defending the case so the court can determine the issues.
3. Wider market implications
The LBMA manages the Good Delivery List, which determines which refiners’ bars are accepted for settlement in London trades. The association said a finding that it owed the alleged duty could expose it to negligence claims from people harmed by gold mining worldwide, even though it does not certify mines.
