GAC Forges its Procedure for Avoiding High Social Value Lands (HSVL)

Kamsar, Wednesday, August 14, 2024 - Guinea Alumina Corporation S.A. (GAC) announced today that it has finalized the development of internal procedures to integrate the components of avoiding agricultural lands and returning quarries to impacted communities. These are the highest standards in land safeguards, adherence to procedures, and best environmental, social, and sustainable development practices for future generations.

The High Social Value Lands (HSVL) avoidance procedure will be implemented from the outset of any project involving land acquisition. This will help adjust the project's footprint to minimize physical and economic impacts on affected communities. This initiative lays the foundation for a process aimed at preserving spaces that are important, even vital, for local communities.

The development of this procedure has allowed us to redefine the cumulative impacts of GAC’s and other companies' activities. It helps identify lands of high agricultural value and establish mechanisms for their avoidance, restoration, and restitution after mining operations. These actions ensure the proper implementation of our policies and support the well-being of communities in the Boké region.

Isabelle Teboul, Director of Community Relations, CSR, and Environment said: “At GAC, we take our responsibility towards the communities with whom we coexist very seriously. The new procedure for avoiding High Social Value Lands aligns with the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework and compensations in compliance with the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standard 5. This procedure illustrates our commitment to protecting the vital resources of communities while maintaining the sustainability of our activities. This strategic framework not only allows us to minimize the impacts of our operations but also strengthens our harmonious integration into the local ecosystem. We are proud of this progress, which guarantees the well-being of both current and future generations.”

As an integral part of our social responsibility policy, this procedure goes beyond reducing operational impacts. It reflects GAC’s ongoing commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable practices.

This procedure, which will be shared with the relevant public services and various stakeholders, was developed with the technical support of our partner INSUCO, an independent consulting firm specialized in social sciences and sustainability.