Physical and social environment

The environmental and social impact assessment ( "ESIA") has become mandatory for all major and new developments in Cote d'Ivoire since the middle of 1970. Because of the constitutional division of powers, the central government under its environmental policy and that of sustainable development provides for its own evaluation process.

ESIA referred to do not to forced development but rather seeks to ensure that development is made as compatible as possible with the protection of the natural environment and that it takes into account the rights, the concerns and interests of those who will be affected by it. Number of schemes provides for public hearings and other opportunities for the entry of interested groups and individuals.

In recent years, the concept of sustainable development and the requirement to obtain what is often called a "social license" have become important aspects of the ESIA. Under the terms of the act and Ivorian with regard to the responsibility of other public authorities (regions and municipalities), it constitutes the subject of section 3 of Title IV, which deals with the "common obligations to the State and to other local authorities". Under the terms of the six articles (articles 68 to 73) of the said section, it shall be the responsibility of the State but also "the local communities and the dealers"

When multiple events occur on a given area, ESIA tries to evaluate how the impacts of each might interact in order to create the cumulative effects.

The project BRI COLTAN poses particular challenges.

The project leadership is proactive with regard to the ESIA. The various stages of the planning of each of its projects, it between in contact with the responsible authorities. He worked with them in the design of its projects so as to avoid or minimize their impacts. It also works to ensure that the documents that it supports are to higher standards and that the evaluation process work as effectively as possible.

In terms of avoiding the impacts, the project BRI COLTAN has at least two significant aspects: the infrastructure for processing and related activities were located in a site that had already been affected by the mining activity toward the beginning of 1980; abandoned mines of SODEMI will serve to discard new databases on the treatment of residues and the treatment of water, thus avoiding some of the major negative impact often associated with mining. The project fully adheres to the legal provisions laid down in this effect in terms of impact and mitigation devices:

• To manage the wastewater likely to produce an effluent of nature to be prejudicial to the environment. The waters from the rejection of the circuit of the process will be channelled to a used water pond planned to this end and the water will be recycled in closed circuit according to the needs of the process. The choice of the site of the treatment facilities of the ore has been kept intentionally in the specific site of several kilometers of creek Bobo.


• To formulate programs of actions and to organize the emergency plans in the areas with a view to protect the environment.


• To provide education, training and awareness of environmental issues.


• To incorporate in their activities of the programs to provide a better knowledge of the Environment.


• To ensure the management of potable waters under the control of the State (art. 27 Of The Water Code).


• To ensure the management of water resources in preserving the quality of the sources, by preventing wastage and ensuring the availability (art. 59 Of The Water Code).


• To ensure the development and protection of facilities and hydraulic works.


• To ensure the preservation and the fight against waterborne diseases.

The project fully endorsed the legal measures which follow:
"Such we appear to be the main preventive measures decided by the Ivorian legislative to sensitize and train the various actors of the national life to the values likely to mislead of responsible behavior and protectors of the environment. However, measures may not produce the expected effects. It is thus that the Ivorian legislative has defined the elements of the offense to the protective legislation on the environment and the penalties applicable for accomplices and perpetrators of these offenses ... "

A particular challenge of the mining industry in emerging countries is to restore large areas of habitat which are sometimes lost, particularly using native plant species with the assistance of local communities. In this regard, the project will attempt to launch a project of planting of eucalyptus on the pits abandoned in collaboration with the waters and forests to develop restoration techniques that can give quick results and long-term.

As for the future, the project will continue to assess the environmental and social impacts of the mining of other ore deposits located in the same sector. It has also launched a feasibility study of its deposits and ETIENNE MEGUHE, which includes an environmental component important. By continuing the previous initiatives, the project will put into practice the lessons he has learned to this day, in order to ensure that it meets the environmental standards and social optimum.