FOREWORD: AN INTERVIEW WITH GUINEA’S MINISTRY OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
FOREWORD: AN INTERVIEW WITH GUINEA’S MINISTRY OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
WE ASKED DIAKHABY MAÏMOUNA OF THE MINISTRY ABOUT ITS ROLE IN THE COUNTRY’S MINING AND HOW IT GOES ABOUT CHAMPIONING RESPONSIBILITY Produced by Richard Deane 3
G U I N E A M I N I S T RY O F M I N E S A N D G E O L O G Y
Tell us briefly about the history of the Guinean mining Mining and the role that the Ministry plays in promoting and protecting it. Guinea’s mineral tradition is centennial. Since ancient times, Guineans have been exploiting gold; a fact notoriously recorded in the legendary voyage of King Kankan Moussa in 1325 to Mecca. However, it was not until colonial times that the mining industry was developed and the minerals riches of the country discovered, uncovering in the soil:
• 4 0 billion tons of bauxite, at more than 40 percent content of Al203, which represent over a third of global reserves of bauxite • 2 0 billion tons of iron ore, the largest and highest grade of untapped deposit of iron ore in the world • 700 tons of gold, and between 30 to 40 million carats of proven reserves of diamonds.
4
The diversity and quality of the minerals coupled with 320 km of seacoast on the Atlantic allowing for evacuation through deep-water ports has helped the development of the Guinean mining Mining. Over the years, Guinea has risen to become both Africa’s largest producer and the World’s second-largest producer of bauxite. The mining industry accounted for about 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2016. Mineral exports of bauxite, diamonds and gold accounted for 80 percent of the nation’s total exports in 2016. With the advent of its transition into a democratic state in 2010, Guinea, through its Ministry of Mines and Geology, has undergone a series of reforms to promote transparency, accountability and sustainability in the mining Mining. The Ministry is keen on protecting and ensuring the judicious use of these resources for sustainable economic growth and development.
MINING
w w w. m i n e s . g o v. g n / e n
5
G U I N E A M I N I S T RY O F M I N E S A N D G E O L O G Y
Outline the importance of the forthcoming Symposium of Mines in raising the profile of Guinea. The organisation of this event in 2017 is pivotal to the department’s mining promotion policy. The Symposium Mines Guinée (SMG) is designed for a better understanding of Guinea’s mining and investments potential. The SMG will draw a clearer picture of Guinea’s business climate as well as the government’s strategic orientations and reforms. The Ministry’s goal is to appeal to More information about SMG is available online:
6
key mining players and connect qualified investors to Guinea’s largely untapped resources and promising projects. Industry leaders, junior companies, investors, institutions will receive detailed briefings on mining and exploration projects. In short the SMG will allow us to develop a strong networking value chain. The aim is to organise the event on annual basis and make it West Africa’s definitive meeting place for mining professionals.
MINING
Can you give us an overview of national industry developments and investment? The Ministry of Mines and Geology has implemented comprehensive and courageous structural and institutional reforms to enhance productivity, accountability and sustainability in the extractive industry. Those steps include among others: The modernisation of its mining cadaster which is now available online at www. guinea.miningcadastre.org The creation of a one-stopshop for mining projects, with an internet portal covering all relevant information on permits and authorisations. In total, 107 permits and various authorisations issued by 13 ministerial departments during the year 2016 can be found on the portal. The implementation of the Master Plan for Mine-Related Infrastructure Development, notably through the signing of the agreement to pool infrastructures
related to mines between major companies such as CBG, GAC, Rusal Dian-Dian and the State. The establishment of a fully operational National Mining Commission for greater transparency. The consolidation of these reforms initiated since 2010 has favored investment commitments in 2016 of more than $2.4 billion in the bauxite industry alone. Mining companies such as Dadco, Alcoa, Emirates Global Alumina, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Managem have all heavily invested in the Guinean mining Mining. Lenders such as IFC, Société Générale, BNP Paribas, UFK, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Société Générale de France, Natixis, Crédit Agricole, ING, Africa Finance Corporation have in the past year alone financed many major mining projects in Guinea. Production in the bauxite industry is predicted to reach 60 to 80 million tons by 2020. Production in the gold Mining is expected to reach 65 millions tons by 2020.
w w w. m i n e s . g o v. g n / e n
7
G U I N E A M I N I S T RY O F M I N E S A N D G E O L O G Y
What are the Ministry’s regulations and/or views on the importance of environmental responsibility? As stipulated in the Mining Code, any mining activity undertaken must comply with the legislation and regulations governing environmental protection and management as well as health. In particular, any application for an authorisation or mining operation permit must include an Environmental and Social Impact Study in accordance with the Environmental Code and its implementing regulations as well as internationally accepted standards in this area. Administrative requirements depend on the extent of the scheduled work, ranging from simple Environmental Impact Notice for an Exploration Permit to a detailed Environmental and Social Impact Study including for example a Hazard Study, a Risk Management Plan. Aside from these regulations and legislation, the Ministry of Mines
8
and Geology has implemented an environmental and social strategic evaluation (ESES) process, as a tool of sustainable development enabling a better consideration at the national level of environmental and social concerns.
The ESES aims to: (I) a ssist the Government in identifying nationally the environmental and social impacts of existing and future mining activities so as to avoid, so as to avoid, mitigate or compensate them by adopting an appropriate mode of governance; (Ii) p rovide the necessary information and knowledge to support ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. Can you describe any current, relevant legislation? Guinea adopted a new mining code on 9 September 2011, which was amended by the 2013 Bill. The new amended code has been widely acclaimed.
MINING
w w w. m i n e s . g o v. g n / e n
9
G U I N E A M I N I S T RY O F M I N E S A N D G E O L O G Y
10
MINING
How important is sustainability? What is your major goal?  The Ministry of Mines and Geology main goal is to transform the non-renewable resources of Guinea into sustainable development gains for all stakeholders. In that spirit, the government in partnership with the World Economic Forum, the International Finance Corporation, UNDP, the African Minerals Development Center and GIZ, launched and achieved the Responsible Mineral Development Initiative (RMDI) during 2016-2017. The Ministry with its partners gathered together for seven months mining operators, local communities, civil society and the state around a shared mining vision to identify priority themes, areas for joint actions and approaches to sustainably advance Guinea mineral development. The recommendation that emanated from this initiative is informing the government’s national strategic plan for the mining Mining. The Ministry has a win-win and effective business approach to the development of the industry. In that respect, it has create a one-stop shop to promote greater efficiency in the delivery of non-mining permits and cut down on cost for mining companies. For a sustainable approach to community development, the Ministry in collaboration with the PNUD, elaborated last month a CSR policy for the mining Mining.
w w w. m i n e s . g o v. g n / e n
11
MINISTRY OF MINES AND GEOLOGY Boulevard du Commerce – BP 295 Quartier Almamya / Kaloum Conakry, Republic of Guinea Phone. (+224) 625 215 567 / 625 215 568 Email : info@mines.gov.gn