Brussels
6 February 2015

To the attention of Mr. Greg Campbell,
CEO of Ravensdown

Request for comments – Pending report on phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara

Dear Mr Campbell,

Western Sahara Resource Watch is again privileged to write to you. This letter is about Ravensdown’s phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara in 2014.

Our research demonstrates that your company received two shipments of phosphate from the Bou Craa mine in Western Sahara. We have determined that those shipments totaled about 100,000 tonnes, making Ravensdown a sizeable importer of phosphate rock from occupied Western Sahara for the calendar year 2014.

In the coming weeks, WSRW will publish a follow-up report to its “P for Plunder” report of 2014. The revised edition of the report will offer information about the importing companies, and about the estimated volume and market value of the imports. Ravensdown will also be featured in that report.

We would be grateful if, before this February 13, Ravensdown can clarify the following matters:

1. Is it correct that Ravensdown received two shipments of phosphate from occupied Western Sahara during 2014, amounting to approximately 100,000 tonnes?
2. What steps, if any, has Ravensdown taken to assure itself of the continuing consent of the Saharawi people to such purchases, as is consistent with their right to self-determination, the 2002 UN Legal Opinion (S/2002/161) and international humanitarian law?

We maintain that it is not in Ravensdown’s interest to be associated with colonialism, an illegal occupation, grave human rights violations and impermissible resource exploitation in Western Sahara. By refraining from importing until the status of the territory has been settled, your company will help to create the circumstances that will allow the people of Western Sahara to freely and fairly determine their political future, as is their right under international law. Others, of course, have done this, and numerous investors continue to give up or refrain from acquiring share interests in the few remaining companies involved in the trade.

Please let us know if our questions above are not clear, or if you require additional information to respond to them. WSRW looks forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Sara Eyckmans
International Coordinator
Western Sahara Resource Watch