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Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures

Received: 5 August 2021    Accepted: 17 August 2021    Published: 27 August 2021
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Abstract

Mining conflicts are among the most widespread issues linked to natural resources development and management in mineral-rich countries. Guinea mining industries development presents a huge challenge in promoting integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable mining. The scramble of companies to exploit bauxite in the Boké region is correlated with a wave of protests and violent conflicts. This article explores the reasons for the resurgence of conflicts in the Guinea Republic, proposes some strategies for better mining conflicts prevention, management in Boke region. Thus, through a survey carried out in 7 Municipalities of the region and other mining localities of the country, we use a quantitative approach through descriptive statistic elements to identify the causes of the outburst of the conflict in Boke which seriously hinders the climate of socioeconomic activities for local development. The outcomes of this study reveal that youth employment, water and electricity supply, the weakness in the management of compensation mechanism are the main reasons for conflict escalation in Boke. Although, solutions proposed by the state and some NGOs appear to be hopeful. However, better management of public services and good governance based on more innovative public-private partnerships, and changes in government policy to better benefit the local communities could solve these problems holistically. The implementation of a better strategy (approach) in the management of relations with the surrounding communities by considering the depths and the sociohistorical, cultural, economic characteristics of the region would guarantee an environment of peaceful cohabitation between the local communities and the companies.

Published in International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13
Page(s) 53-66
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Boké, Conflict Indicators, Fria Syndrome, Local Economic Development Fund, National Agency for Collectivity Financing, Employment

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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Issiagha Camara, Jiang Deyi, Oumar Barry, Frederick Caille. (2021). Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures. International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 6(3), 53-66. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13

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    ACS Style

    Issiagha Camara; Jiang Deyi; Oumar Barry; Frederick Caille. Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures. Int. J. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 2021, 6(3), 53-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13

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    AMA Style

    Issiagha Camara, Jiang Deyi, Oumar Barry, Frederick Caille. Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures. Int J Miner Process Extr Metall. 2021;6(3):53-66. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13,
      author = {Issiagha Camara and Jiang Deyi and Oumar Barry and Frederick Caille},
      title = {Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures},
      journal = {International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy},
      volume = {6},
      number = {3},
      pages = {53-66},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmpem.20210603.13},
      abstract = {Mining conflicts are among the most widespread issues linked to natural resources development and management in mineral-rich countries. Guinea mining industries development presents a huge challenge in promoting integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable mining. The scramble of companies to exploit bauxite in the Boké region is correlated with a wave of protests and violent conflicts. This article explores the reasons for the resurgence of conflicts in the Guinea Republic, proposes some strategies for better mining conflicts prevention, management in Boke region. Thus, through a survey carried out in 7 Municipalities of the region and other mining localities of the country, we use a quantitative approach through descriptive statistic elements to identify the causes of the outburst of the conflict in Boke which seriously hinders the climate of socioeconomic activities for local development. The outcomes of this study reveal that youth employment, water and electricity supply, the weakness in the management of compensation mechanism are the main reasons for conflict escalation in Boke. Although, solutions proposed by the state and some NGOs appear to be hopeful. However, better management of public services and good governance based on more innovative public-private partnerships, and changes in government policy to better benefit the local communities could solve these problems holistically. The implementation of a better strategy (approach) in the management of relations with the surrounding communities by considering the depths and the sociohistorical, cultural, economic characteristics of the region would guarantee an environment of peaceful cohabitation between the local communities and the companies.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Bauxite Mining Conflicts in Guinea: Causes Identification, Analysis, and Countermeasures
    AU  - Issiagha Camara
    AU  - Jiang Deyi
    AU  - Oumar Barry
    AU  - Frederick Caille
    Y1  - 2021/08/27
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13
    T2  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
    JF  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
    JO  - International Journal of Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
    SP  - 53
    EP  - 66
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1859
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmpem.20210603.13
    AB  - Mining conflicts are among the most widespread issues linked to natural resources development and management in mineral-rich countries. Guinea mining industries development presents a huge challenge in promoting integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable mining. The scramble of companies to exploit bauxite in the Boké region is correlated with a wave of protests and violent conflicts. This article explores the reasons for the resurgence of conflicts in the Guinea Republic, proposes some strategies for better mining conflicts prevention, management in Boke region. Thus, through a survey carried out in 7 Municipalities of the region and other mining localities of the country, we use a quantitative approach through descriptive statistic elements to identify the causes of the outburst of the conflict in Boke which seriously hinders the climate of socioeconomic activities for local development. The outcomes of this study reveal that youth employment, water and electricity supply, the weakness in the management of compensation mechanism are the main reasons for conflict escalation in Boke. Although, solutions proposed by the state and some NGOs appear to be hopeful. However, better management of public services and good governance based on more innovative public-private partnerships, and changes in government policy to better benefit the local communities could solve these problems holistically. The implementation of a better strategy (approach) in the management of relations with the surrounding communities by considering the depths and the sociohistorical, cultural, economic characteristics of the region would guarantee an environment of peaceful cohabitation between the local communities and the companies.
    VL  - 6
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

  • School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China

  • Department of Political Science, University of Lyon, Lyon, France

  • Department of Political Science, University of Lyon, Lyon, France

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