Mining and oil industries in Niger threaten human rights
A new study sheds light on the serious human rights impacts that mining and oil industries have in Niger. Fumes, waste water and toxic material concern the local communities in the fragile West African state. Economic growth is welcome in Niger... However, extractive industries might hurt local communities more than they contribute to progress. That is the conclusion in a new baseline study that sheds light on a number of adverse human rights impacts of mining and oil industries in Niger by ROTAB, a coalition of civil society organisations in Niger. The team visited four different regions where uranium, gold and oil are being extracted. They met with affected community members and workers as well as with government and companies representatives... Nomadic shepherd communities are being particularly hurt when they lose access to land but they are not being compensated for the loss, as they hold no formal land titles.