**1. Introduction**

The Republic of Guinea is rich in natural resources yet, since its independence in 1958, has struggled to transform that advantage into durable economic and social development. The small country has over a quarter of the world's proven bauxite reserves, approximately 7.4 billion metric tonnes (t) [1, 2], more than any other nation. Bauxite is the primary ore used to produce aluminum; aluminum alloys are used to manufacture countless items around the globe. Still, Guinea's bauxite mining industry did not grow substantially between the 1960s and 2015 [3]. Thus, Guinea's government [4], along with the World Bank [5], African Development Bank [4, 6], and others [7], has identified Guinea's mining sector with economic growth, infrastructure development, poverty reduction, and social well-being. Recently, foreign direct investment (FDI) has fueled dramatic increases in Guinea's bauxite-aluminum industry (**Figure 1**). This growth presents new challenges as governments and industries worldwide have focused more and more on (GHG)

influence local technical approaches, regional development, and national policy. Because the project was objective and academic, leveraging resources not typically available (e.g., Columbia University's degree programs in sustainability), its

The seemingly dissonant condition of abundant natural resources coupled with highly limited economic and social development is not uncommon in West Africa [6]. The challenge of remedying that deeply rooted condition is daunting because economic development, social development, and environmental protection are overlapping and often conflicting components in a highly complex system (i.e., sustainable development). To help determine needs, the UNDP calculates a Human Development Index (HDI) based on inputs including life expectancy, education, and per capita income. Of UN's 189 member nations, Guinea's HDI ranks 175 [9]. In fact, all West African nations are ranked in the lowest quartile. To vitalize sustainable development in Guinea, UNDP-Guinea focuses specifically on poverty

As the World Bank describes in its report on Guinea's mining sector, the bauxite industry's need for infrastructure offers crucial potential for industrialization and service sector development [14]. For example, recent investment in rail transport from Guinea's mining hub in the Boké Region to its commercial port originated in the private sector working through the Chamber of Mines. Potentials for the transportation and service sectors to provide local employment exceed that of the largely automated mining industry, especially if that development is part of a regional network linking nearby landlocked economies to Guinea's port. In fact, Guinea's abundant waterways and other freshwater assets have high regional importance and must be part of any sustainable development plan. Nonetheless, difficulties remain in defining and enacting mechanisms to distribute the mining sector's benefits and

A lack of transparency about mining concessions and practices, poor communication with communities impacted, inadequate or poorly timed remuneration for agricultural land, and the tendency among foreign mining companies to import everything from power plants and fuel to workers from their home countries have led to civil unrest, especially in the Boké Region [21]. Riots, destruction of property,

to enact good governance, community enhancement, and environmental

mitigation.

**49**

**1.3 Regulatory and policy context**

reduction, climate change risk, and peace building and governance [10]. With a population of 12.7 M [11], Guinea ranks among the world's least developed in infrastructure [12] and, until very recently, FDI [13]. However, in a remarkable change from decades of economic stagnation, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 10+% in both 2016 and 2017, largely due to mining sector expansion [13, 14]. In accordance with its strategic plan [4], Guinea's Ministry of Mines and Geology actively developed new concessions and promulgated a special economic zone (SEZ) for the Boké Region in 2017, underscoring its importance to the bauxitealuminum industry. Of particular note, the bauxite-aluminum industry's current boom is borne largely of FDI from China [15], the UAE [16], Russia [17], and, to a lesser extent, Iran [18], France [19], the USA [20], the UK, Australia, India, and the Netherlands in joint ventures with federal ownership. Moreover, a consortium of mining companies funded a new trade organization, Guinea's Chamber of Mines, to

communicate and represent private mining sector interests.

approach offers a unique methodological reference.

*Sustainably Growing Guinea's Bauxite-Aluminum Industry*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86471*

**1.2 Economic, environmental, and social context**

emissions and climate adaptation strategies. Notably, Guinea formalized a commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by publishing its intended national development goals (INDCs) and sustainable development strategy priorities [4] in 2015.

Like most developing countries, Guinea lacks capacity to meet its INDCs alone. Recognizing this widespread need, UNFCCC created the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a mechanism to encourage climate change adaptation and mitigation by matching private sector investment funds. The GCF's eligibility requirements are quite strict, and programmatic assistance is often needed to qualify. Hence, in 2016 Guinea requested and received a GCF Readiness Programme grant to help build its capacity. The UNDP, an accredited partner of the GCF [8], led Guinea's Readiness Programme and, as part of capacity building, sought out Columbia University to develop tools to engage Guinea's private sector in sustainable mining practices. This chapter summarizes that project's conceptualization, methods, and results, including generalized insights into public-private collaborations. The Readiness Programme wrapped up in December 2018 with Guinea's National Designated Authority established and prepared to articulate initiatives, mobilize private sector engagement, and develop a robust GCF Country Programme plan. Thus, Guinea is now fully equipped to access the GCF funding.

### **1.1 Conspicuous sustainability resources**

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, 11, and 17 integrate responsible resource extraction regimes into sustainable development. At present, a confluence of factors—new mining concessions, presidential agenda, civil society organization activity in the mining regions, and not least of all the GCF matching funding—has created opportunities to solidify sustainable mining practices. UNDP-Guinea's decision to ask Columbia University for support with this acutely relevant work underpins the notion that student-based research can be an effective impetus to useful and compelling outcomes when it is backed by in-depth involvement of seasoned researchers like Widder and Pacioni, on-site face-to-face interactions, and a commitment to collaboration. This project fostered genuine engagement from stakeholders in industry, government, and local NGOs by uncovering pathways to

influence local technical approaches, regional development, and national policy. Because the project was objective and academic, leveraging resources not typically available (e.g., Columbia University's degree programs in sustainability), its approach offers a unique methodological reference.
