MA11 Introductory LCA Session
C120-122
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday
() Mali's policy for the management of natural resources: sustainable development and environmental protection.
Samega, H1, 1 Department of Mines, Energy, and Water, Bamako, Mali
ABSTRACT- Mali is located in Western Africa, with one third of its territory consisting of desert. The Malian economy is dependent on the primary sector (agriculture, mining and livestock production) and is highly sensitive to climatic variations. Mali is the leading producer of cotton and the third-largest producer of gold (60 t in 2002) in Africa. About 5% of the gold is produced by artisanal miners. Industrial minerals also contribute to the development of small and medium enterprises. According to the Government strategy, the mining sector is not only a source of economic activity for the other sectors but is instrumental in sustainable development and poverty alleviation. The preservation of the environment and the natural resources is a priority for the Government of Mali and serves as the cornerstone of sustainable socio-economic development. As the mineral resources are exploited (utilized) , the environmental effects of the extraction should not cause irreversible environmental harm, and the reduction of these resources should be offset by economic and social long-term gains. To tackle these environmental challenges and to foster the implementation of a sustainable development strategy by the mining sector, the Government of Mali enacted a policy to: Build on the socio-economic and financial spin-off of the mining sector to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development; Refine the environmental legal framework related to the mining sector; Enhance the mining environment and sites rehabilitation; Improve the reclamation of historical sites, the sustainable management of closed sites and the development of good mining practices; and Create a local fund for capacity building of local mining communities. The Government is building on the practices of the gold mining sector and is looking to diversify the types of mineral resources. In order to measure progress towards sustainable development, the Government developed indicators specific for the mining sectors.
Key words: sustainable development, mining, policy goal