Sarah Shija (right) from the NCA office in Tanzania togetehr with one of the conference participants. Their message was clear: people before profit (Photo: Jane Vogt Evensen/NCA)
"Government must prevent the violation of fundamental human rights that arise when communities are evicted to make way for mining operations," said the Archbishop Paul Ruzoka.
Th Archbishop, representing NCA partner organisation Tanzania Episcopal Conference, chaired the Tanzania Alternative Mining Conference from October 19-20 in the neighbouring building to the authorities' and mining companies' own conference, which was being held at the same time. As such, the alternative conference was able to raise awareness around the negative aspects of Tanzania's mining industry.
Roughly 40 participants from 20 different organisations from Tanzanian civil society were present at the conference. Representatives from the World Bank and two major mining companies also participated in parts of the alternative conference.
David and Goliath
The presentations and discussions during the conference focused on the state of Tanzania's mining sector today, including the dangers of uranium extraction, and how private sector actors exploit loopholes in legislation. People who live close to existing mines also shared their stories.
"Sheik Manyanya from the Muslim Council of Tanzania compared the battle between civil society and the mining companies to the story of David and Goliath. A resident of Nyangoto village then gave us his eye-witness account of the ways in which the mining sector has affected his local community. He told us that children and adults have been killed by mining machinery or polluted water sources," said Jane Vogt Evensen of the NCA Tanzania office, who was also present at the conference.
Doubt transformed
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund - Global has, and has had, investments in several of the mining companies active in Tanzania. Many companies reacted negaively when they learned that an alternative conference was to be held in parallel to their own, but gradually they warmed to the idea, wishing to participate themselves.
"After hearing emotional eye-witness accounts from the mining areas, one representative from the mining company AngloGold Ashanti that he recognised that both short-term and long-term solutions needed to be found. He said that the company was able to admit that it had made mistakes, and that it would improve openness around its operations in order to improve relations with civil society," said Vogt Evensen.
The company African Barrick Gold also opened up towards the end of the conference. They admitted that they have made mistakes and claimed now to be ready to cooperate with civil society.
NCA and partners look forward to a productive dialiogue!
Solid foundation
"Faith-based and other organisations in Tanzania have learnt a great deal, gained motivation and expanded their networks as a result of this conference. 20 organisations have laid the foundations for broader cooperation for justice wihin the Tanzanian mining sector," said Vogt Evensen.
Tanzania Alternative Mining Conference was organised by the following NCA partners in Tanzania: Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Christian Council of Tanzania and the Muslim Council of Tanzania.