Mamoudou Diawara, local exploration geologist at Seventy Ninth Resources, explains what sustainable mining means to him and his home country
Mamoudou Diawara works on the ground in the Republic of Guinea as a local exploration geologist for Seventy Ninth Resources. He’s been with the business for 3 years following decades of experience and expertise in his field.
Mamoudou decided to work with Seventy Ninth Resources because of the business’s respect for, and approach to, social and environmental responsibility in the region.
He now works alongside in-country manager, Eric Ntube, in Guinea as part of the local team built by Seventy Ninth Resources.
Commitment to communities
Alongside their passion for mining exploration, the two men are deeply committed to ensuring that their work in Guinea protects, supports and enhances the communities in which the Group operates.
To this end, they’ve worked on a range of community and sustainability initiatives, explains Mamoudou. The process relies on cooperation with local NGOs and community leaders to raise awareness of the company’s work and the benefits it will bring. This is an essential part of the exploration process and begins long before any work begins on the site.

Clear and honest communication is the best way to interact with the community, according to Mamoudou, who works hard to understand the needs of local people and then take them into account when it comes to decision-making on a new project.
Working in partnership
Over the last few years, Mamoudou and Eric have created integrated development projects for the communities impacted by the business’s exploration.
This is community and sustainability work in action, and it has been possible because of building strong, long-term relationships with Guinea’s communal and prefectural authorities as well as working closely with the Ministry of Youth.
The team has also worked on projects in local communities, including funding the orphanage FOMBEK. The business has also made donations to the coalition of women’s NGOs in Siguiri, which used the funds for a diverse range of educational workshops.
This is the first time a company in the exploration phase has invested in the community in the Siguiri prefecture, not just as a one-off but as a continual commitment to develop the community. Not only is this morally right, says Mamoudou, it’s better for business, as the goodwill that Seventy Ninth Resources has generated in the region is invaluable.
However, maintaining that goodwill and building strong local relationships go deeper than simply funding projects.
It’s about understanding the beliefs and cultures of the Guinea people and respecting their rights, religions and views.
Protection comes first
This respect includes the protection of sacred land, for example.
In Guinea, cemeteries are the most sacred land of all, explains Mamoudou, and Seventy Ninth Resources has committed not only to protect this sacred land from explorations and development, but also from indirect impacts, such as waste dumping and urban encroachment. The business has helped locals to fence and improve the cemeteries to keep the land safe. This work has helped to strengthen relationships between community leaders and the business.

Respecting local traditions and cultural practices is at the core of Seventy Ninth Resources’ approach to its work in Guinea. Mamoudou and Eric work hard to bring the local community and the company closer together.
It’s not just traditions and culture that need protecting, but also the local environment.
Enhancing environmental protections
It’s important that any mining business balances its exploration needs with the protection of the local environment and Seventy Ninth Resources wants to ensure that communities are left better off as a result of its explorations.
This means compensating communities for buildings or plantations that have been affected by its work. In addition, Mamoudou introduces the employment of local labour in the planning of exploration projects, alongside ad hoc social assistance.
But the company’s social and environmental pledges go further. A restoration team of experts is sent into communities after any exploration work to ensure that communities and the local environment are enhanced not damaged by exploration.
Looking forward
Mamoudou believes that sustainable mining exploration has a bright future in Guinea, if businesses adhere to best practice and take their social and environmental responsibilities seriously.
After 39 years of professional experience in exploration, he has found in Seventy Ninth Resources a business with social and environmental responsibility goals that align with his own.
The group contributes to the communities in which it operates, adhering to the exploration principles and corporate social responsibility (CSR), but going beyond what they are obliged to do.
This isn’t just the right thing to do for the people in Guinea and the wider environment. By working hand in hand with the local community, Mamoudou, Eric and Seventy Ninth Resources see better results when developing permits and generating new projects, all of which lead to better exploration outcomes.
That’s better for the business, its investors and, of course, for the country.