Our security program is mandated to protect our people and our assets, while simultaneously respecting universal human rights. Centerra’s practices align with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHRs), the articles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

To ensure the VPSHRs are followed, security and community relations personnel receive regular training on the Principles, which involves a mixture of classroom training along with ongoing knowledge checks and examinations. Specific training topics may include:

• Appropriate conduct, rules of engagement and the use of force continuum, all based on internationally recognized law enforcement protocols such as the UN’s Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN’s Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials
• Basic conflict resolution techniques

To help ensure community safety, we have also implemented strict security procedures at operating sites, including:

• Only hiring appropriately qualified and licensed security contractors
• Conducting reference checks to ensure candidates do not have criminal records, or a record of abuse or violation of human rights
• Restricting possession of firearms and lethal ammunition on our sites, unless legally required
• Ongoing security contractor performance assessments

In 2021, we focused our training efforts at Öksüt where 13 VPSHR training sessions were conducted. 97% of their total Security Team attended a total of 26.5 hours of training. This training is conducted approximately every six months at Öksüt and serves as a review and refresher for our Security Teams.

Communities of interest, project-impacted stakeholders and Indigenous groups are made aware of how to access our community-based grievance mechanism in order to raise a grievance about any security-related behaviour not aligned with the VPSHRs. The mechanisms are developed in alignment with nine criteria to ensure the legitimacy and accessibility of the mechanism and to help provide an appropriate remedy. Find more information on our Feedback and Grievance Mechanism here.