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Groupe d’Appui aux Exploitantes des Ressources Naturelles (G.A.E.R.N) (partner NiZA)
GAERN (Groupe d’Appui aux Exploitantes des Ressources Naturelles) started in 2005 as a new independent initiative (related to the NGO network CRONGD) for protecting the rights of artisinal mineworkers in KASAI. GAERN collaborates with the Natural Resources Network in the DRC and organisations in Southern Africa, linked to the programme « Peace, Principles and Participation : Corporate Social Responsibility and Natural Resources exploitation in Southern Africa » that was initiated by the Netherlands institute for Southern Africa ( NiZA ).
Context
The Eastern Kasaï Province is one of the Diamond richest provinces in the DRC. The artisinal exploitation of diamonds benefits a small group of middle class traders and ‘risk taking’ businessman driving the development of commercial activities in this region.
At the same time, the realisation of big profits, the importation of consumer goods and the excessive circulation of big money, contribute to very high costs of living particularly in the surrounding of the exploitation areas.
The artisinal exploitation of diamonds brings far more advantages to the traders ( the middle class) than to the artisinal miners. The latter are in a weakened position, often live and work under inhuman conditions and do not know how to pull actual profit of their harsh labour. Moreover they are not aware of their rights, e.g. the Mining Codes and there are many conflicts on the ground between miners and violations of human rights in these exploitation areas.
Also, one sees that after the exploitation, the land is left with extraction holes that causes accidents and makes the land unsuitable for agriculture.
Goal and strategies
To face the above problems – G.A.E.R.N. feels that it is necessary to accompany the artisanal miners and to fight for the protection of their rights and their environment.
The overall goal is :
The diamond resources contribute to a sustainable socio-economic development in the surrounding and city of Mbujimayi, including a reduction of the negative impact of this exploitation.
The organisations objective is :
The association of miners, initiated and facilitated by GAERN, will be engaged in decision making processes with local authorities and negotiations aimed at obtaining real benefits out of the diamond exploitation and influencing policymaking concerning this sector.
Strategy:
GAERN will assist the diamond miners in the ray of 50 km of the City of Mbujimayi to organise themselves in associations in order to strengthen themselves and at the same time improve the competencies in lobbying about improving socio-economic rights and Corporate Social Responsibility practises in Province of the Eastern Kasaï. The subsequent step will be that, the miners will be assisted and trained to obtain skills about the extraction and also the classification/pricing and sale of these diamonds.
GAERN will sensitise local authorities about the rights of the mineworkers and the environment.
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