Anvil faces class action in Canada

Perth-based copper miner Anvil Mining is facing a class action in Canada over an incident at its Dikulushi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo six years ago.

Anvil, which has its primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, today said the action had been filed by a group of Canadian non-governmental organisations using the name the Canadian Association Against Impunity.

The company said the action appeared to relate to an incident at the town of Kilwa, near its Dikulushi mine, in October 2004 when DRC troops commandeered company-owned vehicles to violently suppress a rebel uprising.

It added that the incident in question had been subjected to numerous investigations and court proceedings over the years, all of which had cleared the company.

"No findings adverse to Anvil or any of its employees have arisen in respect of the Kilwa incident in any of the foregoing," it said.

Anvil said it had not seen the allegations against it in detail, but would defend itself.