Zambia – Training of MPs, mining companies and communities on grievance redress mechanisms

SARW, in partnership with the Mott Foundation, organised a regional training and toolkit launch on grievance redress mechanisms in Lusaka, Zambia, on 24-25 June 2024. The workshop targeted key stakeholders, including members of parliament (MPs), companies, civil society organisations (CSOs), and human rights defenders from communities in DRC, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where the toolkit has been piloted.

Participants included:

• MPs from Zimbabwe’s Bikita and Mutoko North constituencies, and Zambia’s Kankoyo and Mwembeshi constituencies, including the deputy president of Lualaba Province in DRC, who is also an MP.
• Mining companies such as Mopani Copper Mines (Zambia), Tenke Fungurume Mine (DRC), and Zimbabwe International Quarries.
• Mining communities from Mutoko in Zimbabwe, Lualaba in DRC, and Kankoyo and Mwembeshi in Zambia

Discussions focused on effective community participation, grievance mechanisms, and environmental justice in mining operations to mitigate adverse impacts on local communities and the environment. SARW’s experience in the SADC region informed the development of the “Toolkit for Effective and Sustained Community Participation, Grievance Redress Mechanism, and Environmental Justice Financing in Mining Projects.”

Objectives of the training included:

• facilitating collaboration between mining companies and communities to resolve conflicts,
• equipping stakeholders with practical tools and strategies, including community members, environmental defenders, human rights defenders, traditional leaders, and civic leaders;
• identifying ambassadors for grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs) in the three countries.

The toolkit aims to promote responsible business conduct among mining companies and development finance institutions regionally and globally.