Deal #8733 Version #84011

There are eleven villages on the Sabodala Lot-A Mining Concession. The Sabodala village is approximately two kilometres south of the Sabodala pit and is in part is located above the Niakafiri deposit. Faloumbo village is to the north-northeast of Sabodala pit and is close to the Faloumbo workings. Medina Sabodala is located less than one kilometre south of Sabodala. Eight other villages located on the Mining Concession but further from the mine each house 500 to 2,500 people. Subsistence gardens and a scattering of small fields including sorghum and maize surround the villages. All villages have essential public infrastructure such as elementary schools, health posts or health huts, and a water supply consisting of a water tower at Bransan or water wells.

The stakeholder information and consultation process was an integral part of all Teranga’s ESIAs. To date, Teranga has put in place mechanisms and communication tools so that all those involved in, or affected by, its projects can freely express themselves. The information collected during these consultations has helped identify issues, risks, benefits, and opportunities for the project to avoid, minimize, or offset negative impacts and enhance the positive ones. As part of the stakeholder information and consultation process, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) was developed. Information about the Project was transmitted by information sheets and meetings with administrative authorities, technical services, as well as representatives of the surrounding villages.

According to EJ Atlas: At least 19,000 people have been displaced (source Enda Pronat), including the village Danbankhoto which was completely rebuilt 5 kilometers from its original location in 2011. According to company's technical report: The development of the Sofia deposit is expected to result in the economic activity displacement of 14 households current residing in two communities: Bambaraya (13 households) and Tinkoto (1 household). The development of NZ & CZ deposit is also expected to result in the economic activity displacement from the surrounding communities

Economic activity displacement of 14 households and a loss of 33.1 ha of agricultural land. Habitat and biodiversity loss, loss of wetland areas, potential reduced quantity of groundwater levels, deforestation of 928ha, potential influx into the local area, relocation of sacred sites, increased greenhouse gases emissions, air and noise pollution. The villages of Sabodala and Falombo were the first to lose their gold panning deposits when the multinationals settled. The industrial exploitation of the precious metal has considerably reduced the cultivable surfaces while polluting the rivers and the environment

The concession agreement states that the company should pay US$1,225,000 per year for the development of the communities. The Sabodala Social Fund provides a framework for supporting annual community investment projects that are in line with the development plans of regional and local authorities and meet the needs of communities. Working directly with municipalities and city councils, SGO participates in the annual budget consultation process managed by the authorities. The selection and implementation of projects financed by SGO are based on municipality or community priorities in line with SGO's sustainability strategy. Once the projects have been selected, SGO and the local mayors sign an annual financing agreement detailing the projects financed by SGO and the amount allocated to each project. SGO assists in the implementation of these investments through technical facilitation and project evaluations.

The funds fed by TGC for the Social Mining Program have been delayed for a long time while the technical council in charge of its implementation has not been endowed with the necessary means to carry out its mission

The concession contract envisages employment of 1,000 jobs, of which 500 for people from the communities.