Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Challenges Violations at Guinea Mine: A Closer Look

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) recent provisional certification of the Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG) mining operation has sparked debate among some advocacy groups. While ASI announced it as a step forward for transparency and performance improvement, others contend that unresolved human rights issues cast doubt on the initiative's credibility as a due diligence tool.

In December 2023, ASI issued provisional certification to CBG's mining operation in Sangaredi, Guinea, despite human rights concerns surrounding the mine. This provisional certification has ignited controversy, with critics arguing that it paints an inaccurate picture of CBG's commitment to responsible sourcing and overlooks the grievances of affected communities.

Since 1963, CBG, a joint venture between the Guinean government and international mining giants, has operated in the Boké region of Guinea. Advocacy groups such as Inclusive Development International, CECIDE, and ADREMGUI have been at the forefront of supporting affected communities in seeking justice and redress.

Mohamed Lamine Diaby, Executive Director of ADREMGUI, argues that ASI's provisional certification of CBG at this juncture undermines its stated goal of promoting responsible sourcing. He asserts that the move serves as mere "greenwashing," providing a false sense of assurance to aluminium end-users, including electric vehicle manufacturers.

In contrast, Natalie Bugalski, legal and policy director at Inclusive Development International, emphasises the importance of CBG addressing the harm it has caused before receiving provisional certification. She acknowledges the potential for CBG to make amends and calls for genuine progress in meeting environmental and human rights responsibilities.

ASI’s provisional certification is issued for a 12-month period where there is one or more major non-conformance, or a significant number of related minor non-conformances, which if not addressed by the operation may then be escalated to a major non-conformance at the next audit. A corrective action plan must be approved by the auditor.

While the ASI provisional certification has raised eyebrows, it also highlights broader challenges in the aluminium industry's pursuit of sustainability. The evolving landscape of corporate sustainability due diligence directives, such as the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, underscores the need for robust frameworks like ASI to guide industry practices.

So, what can initiatives like ASI do to support sustainability efforts, and what are their limitations? ASI's strengths lie in both its multi-issue and multi-stakeholder approaches, objective standards-setting, and commitment to addressing human rights and supply chain due diligence. Its certifications set a baseline against which progress over time can be monitored and measured. However, it cannot absolve companies of their own due diligence responsibilities or resolve legacy issues through audits alone.

Moving forward, ASI must heed the concerns raised by advocacy groups and affected communities. Strengthening standards, enhancing community engagement, and ensuring transparency in audit processes are critical steps toward building trust and credibility. The organisation is committing resources to these and already working towards the next standards revision cycle. ASI’s ongoing Beyond Certification activities with its Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum (IPAF) have already seen significant capacity-building activities take place with communities affected by bauxite mining in Guinea and Australia.

Ultimately, the provisional certification of CBG serves as a reminder that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. As Dr. Fiona Solomon, CEO of ASI, notes, certification is part of an ongoing improvement process – and all ASI members are on a continuous journey to address evolving challenges. CBG's participation in this process reinforces that the industry as a whole will be judged on its individual performers. The industry's quest for a responsible aluminium value chain is one that requires both individual and collective effort, wide dialogue, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

In the pursuit of sustainability, the aluminium industry must navigate complex challenges, confront uncomfortable truths, and remain committed to meaningful change. Only then can it truly fulfil its promise of a more ethical and sustainable future for all stakeholders involved.