Protecting Vulnerable Mining Host Communities in ECOWAS Countries
During a recent three-day West African Mining Host Communities Indaba in Abuja, Nigeria, stakeholders emphasized the need for Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries to ensure the protection of vulnerable mining host communities. The summit, organized by Global Rights and the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), with the support of the Ford Foundation, brought together various stakeholders to discuss the impact of insecurity on mining activities and the governance of minerals in West Africa.
Representatives from civil society organizations, the government, business entities, media, academia, and mining host communities from several West African countries, including Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Uganda, and South Africa, joined the discussion.
The communique released after the conference highlighted the concerns about human rights violations, insecurity, and the environmental and health impacts of mining activities on host communities. The participants also called for more proactive measures from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to protect the mining host communities in the sub-region.
The stakeholders stressed the importance of securing Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from local communities before the commencement of any mining project, as mandated by the ECOWAS Directive on the Harmonization of Guiding Principles and Policies in the Mining Sector. They also underscored the need for natural resources to be developed in the best interests of the communities from which they are harnessed, as required by national laws of many West African countries.
Furthermore, the participants recognized the significant role of mining in the energy transition and its contribution to the production of commodities for renewable energies and climate technologies. However, they expressed concerns about the adverse impacts of unethical mining activities on the environment and the livelihoods of the host communities.
The communique called upon the states in the sub-region to ensure that the wealth derived from mineral resources is used for the common good and is equitably shared among the people. It also emphasized the importance of empowering mining host communities through sustainable policy initiatives to achieve lasting economic prosperity, environmental resilience, and social harmony in the sub-region.
Additionally, the stakeholders highlighted the responsibility of regulatory agencies and mining host communities to work together to address the challenges faced by mining host communities across West Africa. They also emphasized the importance of corporate and business entities ensuring that the rights of host communities are not violated while conducting their business activities.
Finally, the role of industry standards and certifications in promoting sustainable mining practices was recognized, along with the need for adherence to international guidelines for responsible mining.
In conclusion, the stakeholders at the West African Mining Host Communities Indaba have called for urgent action to be taken to protect vulnerable mining host communities in the ECOWAS countries. The recommendations provided in the communique offer a strategic direction for enhancing the governance of minerals and ensuring the well-being of the host communities across the region. It is imperative for all stakeholders, including governments, regulatory agencies, business entities, and civil society organizations, to collaborate effectively in addressing the challenges faced by mining host communities in West Africa.
