Conference minding the mines; a true multistakholder dialogue

The Fatal Transactions conference in Brussels attracted a divers audience of academics, NGO representatives, industry and government. The conference followed the Kimberley Process General Assembly, where over 300 delegates discussed the certification scheme of rough diamonds. The subject of certification of diamonds, central at the Kimberley Process, was linked into, and deepened at the Fatal Transactions gathering entitled: ‘Minding the Mines: resource certification and revision of mining contracts in the mining industry in Africa’.

In the morning the focus was on certification schemes and initiatives. Jan Gorus on behalf of the Belgian government and Markus Wagner on behalf of the German government presented their current research into the possibilities of certifying mining assets in respectively the DRC and Rwanda. These presentation gave a great impuls to the debate on the certification of natural resources considering the great amount of questions and discussion that followed the presentations. Also the European Commission touched upon not only the success but also the limitations of the Kimberley Process.

During the afternoon session the issue of revising old mining contracts, which in our view form the basis of just and fair exploitation of natural resources, was discussed. Focussing on two case studies, Zambia and the DRC, the possibilities and challenges of closing better, new, deals were presented. NGO representatives from Zambia and the DRC, who are trying to open and speed up the debate in their country and lobby for just and responsible contracts, were echoed by their northern partners who lobby in Europe to keep their end of the deal to hold their companies responsible for its' CSR policy abroad to avoid 'double standards'. The importance of a common lobby and joint action was evident during this presentation.

The conference participants, in total more then 100, consisted of academics, NGO representatives from Europe and Africa, the diamond and mining industry and governmental representatives, both from Europe, Canada and African mining countries. This assured a vibrant discussion and exchange of information and hopefully stimulated the multi-stakeholder dialogue.