Guinea

2017

Inclusive Development International (IDI)

The SRM resulted in:

1. Mapping of community interactions with AngloGold Ashanti, which informed preparation for mediation between communities and the mining company;
2. Intensive capacity building and evidence collection activities with communities, and
3. Pre-mediation meetings and formal mediation sessions with AngloGold Ashanti, IDI and local communities. Overall, the project has informed IDI’s outlook on mediation, and allowed the communities of Kintinian to understand the approach of AngloGold Ashanti moving forward. For the company and its investors, mediation is a conciliatory method of problem solving, while for the communities it is a process for determining reparations for the injustices they’ve suffered. These differences have meant that private companies like AngloGold and the communities they interact with often clash. Nevertheless, the work carried out by IDI has allowed Kintinian communities to approach the mediation process and future conflict resolution mechanisms from a position of strength, with clearly delineated complaints and requests as well as an understanding of effective negotiation tactics. Already, communities have reached a preliminary agreement concerning water access at a resettlement site. A second round of mediation was scheduled after the end date of the SRM in which community members hoped to discuss infrastructure, transparency, loss of assets and income, and human rights abuses.