Deal #3433

State in other locations owned by state- Ndiaël reserve. The land was previously used by local communities for traditional agricultural and pastoral activities.

Land around Fass Ngom was used for smallholder agriculture. was labeled Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention intergovernmental treaty designed to protect and ensure the sustainable use of water resources and a home for migratory birds. This protection was broken in 2011 when President Wade has changed the classification of the area to allow the company operate there . Local communities were allowed to graze their cattle and collect resources (like fire wood) from within the reserve. The company's activities have lead to deforestation.

Land around Fass Ngom used for grazing and crops. An environmental impact assessment was only conducted months after the project commenced. The Ministry of Environment rejected the EIA stating that more information was needed as the report had omitted to discuss the negative environmental and social impacts which would arise from the project . The EIA was also not made public. The land concession it holds used to be part of the Ndiaël nature reserve, a wetland that’s home to many threatened species and a key grazing ground for local herders.