Deal #8753

The relationship between the communities and Ity Mine (which started operation in 1991) has historically not been good. The current mine owner Endeavour claims it has since entered into more engagement initiatives with the local communities.

The villages near the Gbéitouo and Daapleu deposits are Daapleu village, which includes several hamlets, and Kouizonpleu village. A resettlement action plan (“RAP”) was completed in October 2015 and the affected households (about 1,000 people) were relocated to a new resettlement village constructed near Kouizonpleu in 2018. The new village has a community centre, a school, and housing units for teachers. In addition, water wells and solar streetlights were installed in the new and host villages. A market-place was also established for these villages. A resettlement committee was constituted to input to the development of the RAP and monitor its implementation. The committee includes representatives of the people affected by the project, representatives of the host communities, as well as the regional construction department (Bloléquin) and the regional public administration (prefect and sub-prefect of Bloléquin). On the other side of the river: Ity village is new, it was established in 2007 and hosts the people who were relocated from the Ity mine site.

The new village has a community centre, a school, and housing units for teachers. In addition, water wells and solar streetlights were installed in the new and host villages. A market-place was also established for these villages.

By law, the company must contribute to a community development fund annually, the contributions should be based on 0.5% of the turnover from the previous year;