The pilot artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization project at the Mutoshi mine in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is an example of how well-managed community relations reduce the need for complex security arrangements.

The pilot artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization project at the Mutoshi mine in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is an example of how well-managed community relations reduce the need for complex security arrangements. Prior to the Mutoshi ASM Formalization project, the mining operating company, Chemaf, experienced some extremely violent interactions with the local mining community, including a situation in which senior Chemaf managers were held hostage by artisanal miners.

Every year in November, TotalEnergies launches their Auto-diagnostic + Risk Assessment (ADRA) campaign.

Every year in November, TotalEnergies launches their Auto-diagnostic + Risk Assessment (ADRA) campaign. During this process, TotalEnergies identifies countries where operations are exposed to heightened risks relating to security and human rights. The country security officers of these countries receive diagnostic and assessment tools, to be used and returned to the Corporate Security Division, where the data is analyzed.

Twangiza is the only industrial mining site in South Kivu.

In-country working groups (ICWGs) on business, security and human rights are important structures that can monitor the impacts of training of public security and address violations.

From 2010-2014, Kosmos Energy operated in in Cameroon, where public security forces were charged with the responsibility of ensuring the security of extractive operations.

From 2010-2014, Kosmos Energy operated in in Cameroon, where public security forces were charged with the responsibility of ensuring the security of extractive operations. Kosmos Energy’s oil project was the first onshore oil project in Cameroon. The human rights challenges commonly present at onshore extractive operations were therefore also new to most of the actors involved. Firstly, Kosmos Energy could not rely on public security forces to be either trained in or familiar with the human rights standards central to the company’s commitment to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. Secondly, the military and company presence created an unfamiliar, unprecedented and possibly insecure situation for the nearby local communities.

Local inhabitants of an artisanal mining zone in the region of Bitale extract minerals on the mining site.

Local inhabitants of an artisanal mining zone in the region of Bitale extract minerals on the mining site. They had been self-organised as a cooperative, but lacked formal status and legal authorisation from the authorities. When a neighbouring, formally recognised cooperative claimed mining rights to the site, the local inhabitants resisted. Violent clashes erupted, resulting in a serious security and human rights incident. The second cooperative had hired elements of the Congolese army to establish its presence on the site through the use of force. The local inhabitants, including former Mai-Mai militia members, fought back.

BP worked with the Government of Iraq to develop a comprehensive programme on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights for the Rumaila oilfield operations in Southern Iraq.

BP worked with the Government of Iraq to develop a comprehensive programme on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights for the Rumaila oilfield operations in Southern Iraq. One element of this programme is a Training Assistance Programme with the public security provider, the Iraqi Oil Police Force (OPF).

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the mining police (Police des Mines et Hydrocarbures) is the designated (and only) public security force allowed to operate around mine sites.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the mining police (Police des Mines et Hydrocarbures) is the designated (and only) public security force allowed to operate around mine sites. Its mandate is to maintain security and order and fight against corruption and fraud. The Congolese government frequently faces capacity and expertise challenges in providing adequate training to the mining police. International organisations such as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have supported in developing and delivering the curriculum, including training on respect for human rights during the performance of duties.

MONUSCO was first approached in 2012 by Freeport-McMoRan, in the framework of monthly multi-stakeholder meetings on security and human rights in Lubumbashi. The company requested a partnership in delivering human rights trainings to the security forces assigned to the Tenke Fungurume Mining concession area, the largest copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It proved to be an innovative and pragmatic solution to the fundamental need for responsible security in this significant concession, which stretches 160,000 km2. The strong presence of artisanal mining (from 110,000-150,000 miners) also means the concession is an important source of income for communities.

The first training was held in 2012 and focused on the rule of law, use of force, respect for human rights and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. The training was aligned with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. It included practical role-play exercises that trained participants on how to react in real-life situations, such as when approached by a violent protest. Participants included the mining police, territorial police, representatives of the National Intelligence Agency, the public prosecutor’s office, Tenke Fungurume Mining employees and contractors, civil society organisations and actors that took part in the multi-stakeholder security and human rights meetings. MONUSCO provided specialized trainers, while the company offered meals, transportation for attendees and on-site training facilities.

The training was the basis for a partnership between MONUSCO and Tenke Fungurume Mining and helped to establish an effective working relationship between the extractive company and the public security forces assigned to its operations.

The In-Country Working Group on the Voluntary Principles (ICWG) based in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has existed for close to ten years...

The In-Country Working Group on the Voluntary Principles (ICWG) based in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has existed for close to ten years, starting as a company initiative and weathering numerous transitions to become a multi-stakeholder structure with a strong anchor in local institutions.

National public security units assigned to mining sites or other company operations often struggle with poor resources, capacities and equipment.

National public security units assigned to mining sites or other company operations often struggle with poor resources, capacities and equipment. At times, the training schools themselves lack staff expertise and equipment needed for effective instruction. In many operational contexts, high turnover of public security is also endemic. These issues have serious security implications for companies. Public security forces with limited knowledge of human rights principles who are assigned to company operations can present major challenges: lack of oversight on conduct, mistrust and adverse reactions from communities, use of force against civilians, work stoppage, delays in operations, grievances and judicial proceedings. High turnover of security officers also degrades the potential sustained impact of trainings and affects the professionalism of units. In the absence of a competent dedicated public security force, illegal armed actors may step in to fill the gap.