Zijin Copper disputes allegations of UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

Serbia Zijin Copper has disputed the findings of the so-called “Joint Communication” issued by the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) to all stakeholders following its multi-day visit to Serbia in October.

In a statement, Zijin Copper said the information received by the UN Special Rapporteurs “contains numerous unverified allegations,” allegations that are logically inconsistent and “give a seriously inaccurate picture of the company’s actual operations.”

In a letter sent by the Chinese company’s Serbian subsidiary to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, it is stated that the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights visited Serbia Zijin Copper on October 11, where they assessed that “the positive effects achieved by the company are undeniable.”

– We take the “Joint Communication” with the utmost seriousness and confirm that since the start of operations in 2018, our operations have been fully compliant with laws and regulations (in Serbia), as well as proactively aligning them with international best practices, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the IFC PS 5 Standard. The company has established comprehensive safety, environmental and human rights policies, actively identifies environmental and human rights risks in its operations and integrates appropriate mitigation measures into daily operations when making key decisions – the 92-page letter states.

Zijin Copper adds that their claims can be verified with official records and data, and they welcomed the statement that “the views or opinions (expressed in the report) are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the UN or OHCHR.”

The company, as stated in the letter to the OHCHR and the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, “reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of transparent business operations, environmental protection, community well-being and the first place of all stakeholders, including employees, local populations and minority groups such as Vlachs,” and remains open to dialogue with all external stakeholders.

The UN Special Rapporteurs had previously asked Serbia and the company Serbia Zijin Copper to respond to allegations of high levels of pollution originating from mining activities in the Bor region, the 021 portal reported.

In a letter from August, the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxic Pollution and Human Rights Marcos A. Orellana and the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Nicolas Levrat expressed concern over information about environmental pollution, the presence of heavy metals and other substances in water, air and soil, as well as excessive noise, which may have consequences for the health of the population.

Serbia Zijin Copper doo Bor

Serbia Zijin Copper

UNGP

OHCHR

Nicolas Levrat