Workshop on ESIA for mine closure in West-Africa

31 August 2023

While new mines are being explored in West Africa, exploitation of other mines is coming to an end. This comes with many challenges and opportunities. Mine closure and rehabilitation plans should be part of environmental and social impact assessments to address the last phase from the start. From 19-22 June, IGF and the NCEA hosted a training in Burkina Faso about Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for mine closure. 

The four-day workshop brought together the ministries of mining, economy and finances, and environment from seven countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Togo.
One of the conclusions of workshop participants was that besides ministries of mining, environment and finance, a wider range of actors need to be involved in mine closure and rehabilitation. Examples of these actors are other sector ministries, their decentralised services, and local authorities.