Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Well, I thought I was here.... Actually, it gives me an opportunity to thank you again for asking me to be here. We heard about this subcommittee after a number of these accusations. Fortunately, DFAIT brought them to our attention. Unfortunately, your comments were so lengthy that I didn't get focused in on what the question was.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Sorry, I may be a bit repetitive here, but we as a company are responsible for what we can control. We do our very best. We bring an awful lot of good to Eritrea. We can't control what the government does with its funds, and nor do I think we should. I make the analogy to Canada as well.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I probably shouldn't comment on behalf of the government as to their decision-making process, but we are very familiar with the EITI. We think it's a reasonable process to ensure that the users of our financial statements and various stakeholders have an opportunity to see the revenue flow to the State of Eritrea in terms of taxes, royalties, etc.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  It is a great statement. We are aware to some extent, and maybe it just needs embellishment so that you better understand what the statement means. Often in other countries' communities, there's a belief that the local communities should get a lion's share of the benefits associated with resources extracted from the immediate area.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I'd like to comment on our principles of operation. We as a company can only control what we control. We do not influence government policy. What we do is we operate the Bisha mine, and we do so in a very ethical manner, according to international standards. You may realize that this is the first modern mine in the country.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Well, I'm really here to comment on our operations and as we interact with the Eritrean population. I'm not as familiar with and able to comment on all the broad-reaching human rights issues that there may be within the country—

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I may be repetitive, but as I said before, we can control what we can control within our operation. What that means is that certainly there are benefits to the people of Eritrea through salary, wages, and into the government treasury. We do not control, and nor should we control, I believe, the Eritrean sovereign right to spend the money the way it wishes—no more than we could control the Canadian government as to how it may spend its revenues.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  In the country, it varies. In prior years it would vary from as short as a few days to a week to two weeks. More recently it has been an in-country average of about a week.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  A significant system's in place...and if I may, I would just digress a bit. Back in 2008, when we really started this development project, we recognized that there was a potential national service issue with respect to the subcontractor, when we started employment with the subcontractor, engagement with the subcontractor.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I believe you're referring to the allegations of an individual by the name of Ghebremeskel, who at one time was employed by the subcontractor. He was actually employed from late 2008 to late 2009, and we have verified that he wasn't actually employed by that contractor. You may recall from my preliminary statement that we made investigations, starting in 2010, when we were actively involved in the development, about...and not reacting to those assertions at all.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Many, many, many times; in the last several years, I've gone eight to nine times a year. This year I've gone five or six times so far, and I'm going in a few weeks from now. So I visit regularly.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a prepared statement before the Q and A. I'd like to thank the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights for hosting this hearing and for your interest in learning more about Nevsun Resources Ltd. and our work on the Bisha mine in Eritrea, our only mining operation.