Analysis of the Socio-Environmental Aspects of Mining in Light of the Mining Regulations of the Republic of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire

Authors

Patrice Ebah
Institut National Polytechnique Felix Houphouet-Boigny(INP-HB), Côte d’Ivoire

Synopsis

Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea are border countries with almost identical geographies and geologies. This geology places the second in the rank of second producer of bauxite with a large reserve of ores such as gold, iron and Nikel. As for the first, although a neophyte in the rank of mining countries, it is full of enough reserves of diversified minerals [1].This wealth of the subsoil is the basis of the development of the mining sector in Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, constituting an economic opportunity for the rulers who see in it an increase in their various budgetary envelopes. This increase is reflected in the multiplication of the granting of mining titles to the various players in the private sector and the assault by small-scale operators in the gold sector in all territories deemed suitable for exploitation. Mining activity is not without repercussions on the environmental resources and living communities in the mining areas. The degradation of the natural and human environment calls for strong decision-making. Enabling populations to benefit from the spin-offs of mining activity is becoming a major challenge for these States. Aware of these realities, the Guinean and Ivorian states have put in place mining codes[2] and subsequent texts to regulate mining activity in their territories. The existence of texts on this matter is a significant step forward. However, do these texts better integrate the environmental and social concerns of these countries? This is the question that our communication proposal answers.

 

 

CIMS-01
Published
November 9, 2022