Guinea, a country in West Africa, has about 12.5 million inhabitants with immense soil and subsoil resources, which is why it is called the geological scandal and water tower of West Africa.    

The country has the world's largest reserves of bauxite, with more than a third of the known deposits of this rock, as well as vast quantities of iron ore, gold and diamonds. Despite its abundant mineral wealth, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 183rd out of 188 countries on the 2015 Human Development Index. 

Today, the environment of the communities in which bauxite is mined is in a worrisome situation due to several factors:  

Soil degradation due to this environmentally unsustainable exploitation which makes the agricultural land uncultivable. This population, which used to practice agriculture for subsistence purposes, has now found itself deprived of this right, resulting in the degradation of the living conditions of the local population, as witnessed by this woman who lives in a village impacted by mining operations: 

"We used to live in a village where we could feed ourselves through our forests and farmland. Our water sources were protected and served us for drinking and our various activities. But now none of this exists anymore, our community forests that gave us a favourable climate are destroyed. All day long we breathe only air polluted with red dust. Our health is degraded, our children are sick, and do not have access to a healthy and balanced diet really we suffer and we wonder what use is this exploitation if it does not respect the environment and does not improve our living conditions. We want a regulated exploitation that takes into account environmental and social aspects"".            

Water scarcity means that women, who are most often responsible for collecting water, have to walk longer distances or wait for long periods to have access to alternative sources. Dust from bauxite mining and transportation is invading homes and fields, raising concerns among families and health professionals that deteriorating air quality is threatening their health and environment. 

The situation that these impacted communities are experiencing prompts us to question our decision-makers about compliance with environmental policies as it affects our health, nutrition and well-being.  The testimony of this woman in the report prompts us to ask ourselves several questions, including the following: 

Doesn't our current policy prioritize the economic aspect over the environmental aspect? 

What is the value of mining revenues based on the destruction of the environment and the deterioration of public health?

So many questions need to be asked when it is important to advocate sustainable development for the well-being of current and future populations.     

 This report is the result of my mission in the locality impacted by mining operations.