Balancing investments and health and safety in African extractive communities in the 21st century: a legal analysis

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Periodical article

Title:	Balancing investments and health and safety in African extractive communities in the 21st century: a legal analysis
Author:	Kengni, Bernard
Year:	2024
Periodical:	KAS African Law Study Library (ISSN 2363-6262)
Volume:	11
Issue:	4
Pages:	491-504
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	law mining investments health
External link:	https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/index.php?doi=10.5771/2363-6262-2024-4-491
Abstract:	The african extractives sector, encompassing mining, oil and gas extraction, presents a unique set of health and safety legal concerns. these concerns affect various sectors of society, including communities near the extractives industry. communities living near extractive operations in africa face several specific health and safety legal concerns such as respiratory ailments resulting from air and water pollution, and land contamination. this is often a result of poor waste management practices, inadequate regulations and limited access to information, amongst others. this paper highlights how and why managing those health and safety concerns presents legal challenges for investment in the extractives sector of africa. using the examples of south africa, drc and Nigeria, the paper highlights why and how such challenges can be resolved or mitigated.