This project is a collaborative effort between the Centre for Human Rights and the African Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights, and aims to identify human rights and environmental impacts of the extractive industry sector in Africa. Based on these findings, the project team will then proceed to explore ways to mitigate these impacts. We are also proud to have two Expert Members of the Working Group, Professor Michelo Hansungule and Ms Sheila Keetaruth, based at the Centre. The project is supported by funds from the Australian Government.

Some of the main activities flowing from this project include research and information gathering visits to countries in Africa, where engagements with government, companies, civil society and affected communities take place. A research and information gathering visit was successfully carried out in Zambia, January 2014. For a press statement on the Zambia country visit, please see the African Commission's website.

In addition, the project team has been involved in organizing sub-regional consultation sessions in Africa, providing the opportunity to engage with representatives from the same constituencies mentioned above. The first sub-regional consultation for Southern Africa, organized and hosted by the project team in collaboration with the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), successfully took place in Johannesburg, August 2014. For more information on the Southern Africa Sub-Regional Consultation, please see the African Commission's website.The next sub-regional consultation session is planned to take place in East Africa, and the date is yet to be confirmed.

These activities rely greatly on the cooperation of host governments, corporate actors operating in Africa, and local civil society partners.