Residents living near one of the world's largest gold mines, Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic, have submitted a formal complaint to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), which regulates the London market where gold originating from the mine is traded.
The complaint alleges that the mine's public record of environmental harm and human rights violations is incompatible with the LBMA's rules for admission of gold to the London market.
The complainants are represented by the Mishcon Purpose team, headed by Alexander Rhodes OBE. The allegations, which are disputed by the mine's operator, Barrick Gold, have been reported by The Sunday Times.
The article quotes Alexander, who stated: "If you sit in London and you set standards but don't police them - to enable highly profitable metals trading to go on - then you should expect to be held to account."
Read the full article in The Sunday Times