Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG), Africa’s main bauxite producer, proudly publicizes the achievement of the coveted Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Efficiency Commonplace V2 certification with Provisional standing, marking a major milestone in its dedication to sustainable mining practices. This accomplishment underscores CBG’s dedication to continuous enchancment in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. The ASI Efficiency Commonplace Provisional Certification (Certificates 326) is legitimate till 17 December 2024.
CBG’s journey in direction of environmental and social (E&S) excellence actually commenced with its partnership with coverage lenders (UFK, DFC, IFC) throughout the signing of the CBG Enlargement Undertaking mortgage in 2016. This collaboration laid the muse for CBG’s sturdy E&S insurance policies and practices, aligning with the Worldwide Finance Company (IFC) Efficiency Commonplace and different international benchmarks.
As CBG celebrates its 60 years of breaking floor and 50 years of outstanding operations within the coronary heart of Guinea, the ASI certification reinforces the corporate’s dedication to accountable and sustainable mining practices. CBG’s anniversary will not be solely a mirrored image of its outstanding longevity however a testomony to its enduring affect on native communities, the setting, and the worldwide bauxite business. This achievement is a beacon of CBG’s dedication to a sustainable future, hanging a stability between financial transformation and environmental and social duty.
As the worldwide demand for inexperienced minerals, together with bauxite, surges amid the clear power shift, CBG has emerged as a torchbearer for moral and sustainable mining in Guinea. The ASI certification validates CBG’s dedication to handle recognized gaps, demonstrating motion and progress in environmental preservation and the welfare of native communities.
CBG’s manufacturing of over 500 million metric tonnes of bauxite has been complemented by the rehabilitation of greater than 2,500 hectares of land and the annual planting of over 120,000 timber. With 90% of its 2,200-strong workforce from Guinea, CBG’s help for small companies has generated 3,000 oblique jobs, injecting over $5.2 billion into Guinea’s income since 1973 and investing over $60 million in important societal infrastructure.
“Our dedication extends past environmental considerations to empowering the communities the place we function. We have now undertaken vital initiatives to reinforce native infrastructure, present clear water and electrical energy, and ship important well being companies,” mentioned Souleymane Traoré, Managing Director at CBG. The corporate’s dedication to native employment and help for native entrepreneurs has created hundreds of alternatives, fostering socio-economic development within the Sangaredi area.
“CBG’s journey has all the time been about greater than bauxite valorisation. It’s a few dedication to environmental preservation, group empowerment, and moral mining. Reaching ASI certification, and committing to handle recognized gaps, underscores our dedication to those rules,” mentioned Saran Camara, Head of Reporting and Sustainable Initiatives Administration.
Dr. Fiona Solomon, Chief Government Officer at ASI, said, “The report outcomes spotlight that whereas there’s progress in assembly some elements of the Commonplace, there’s extra to do on some vital environmental and social standards. ASI Certification is an enchancment journey that features a dedication to addressing points, demonstrating motion and progress, and figuring out gaps. “
Provisional ASI certification encourages CBG to repeatedly enhance its environmental and social efficiency, aligning with its imaginative and prescient of “doing greater than bauxite.” An impartial auditor will return to CBG in mid-2024 to confirm the progress of closing the non-conformances recognized throughout the audit.
Dr. Fiona Solomon continues, “The following audit in mid-2024 will observe up on the non-conformances recognized, and we count on to proceed to interact with key stakeholders in preparation for that. We thank CBG for stepping as much as this enchancment journey: the efficiency of the mining sector is essential for reaching our broader aim of a accountable aluminium worth chain.”
Recognising that some weak communities face challenges in benefiting from financial exercise and will expertise the cumulative impacts of mining on their conventional livelihoods, the corporate is actively creating livelihood restoration tasks. These initiatives goal to bolster group resilience and enhance the standard of life for these affected by our operations.
Since 1986, CBG has invested greater than USD 60 million in fundamental social infrastructure and companies, together with faculties, well being centres, water boreholes, and street openings. Moreover, their creation of Very Small Enterprises (VSEs) has offered significant employment alternatives to hundreds of younger folks within the surrounding communities of Kamsar and Sangaredi.
“As we rejoice our achievement, we stay dedicated to advancing our practices to strike a stability between financial transformation and environmental and social duty. We name upon our business friends to hitch us on this dedication to create a sustainable and accountable mining sector that advantages each the environment and the communities we serve,” added Souleymane Traoré.
The attainment of ASI certification aligns seamlessly with CBG’s broader technique to place the corporate as a frontrunner within the bauxite business and a accountable company citizen guided by the values of Excellence, Integrity, and Respect.
