CSR sparks tension as RC evicts GGML staff from meeting

Geita. Tensions flared on Thursday, March 6, 2025, during a Geita Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) meeting on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) when Regional Commissioner (RC) Martine Shigella ordered three staff members from Geita Gold Mining Company (GGML) to leave the meeting.

The dispute arose over GGML’s failure to release over Sh9.2 billion allocated for development projects under its 2024 CSR initiative.

GGML’s senior manager for development, Mr. Gilbert Moria, informed the meeting that the company had submitted its 2024 CSR plan to both Geita Municipality and the District Council in February 2024. 

The plan was later forwarded to the Ministry for approval and received the green light at the end of November 2024.

Mr Moria noted that implementing the plan within one month was unfeasible, especially since the Mining Commission had requested a plan for 2025.

GGML then decided to extend the 2024 plan into 2025 for the Municipality, although approval for the district’s plan was still pending.

Tensions escalated when GGML’s lawyer, Mr. David Nzaligo, claimed that delays in the District Council’s approval of the plan had led to the unavailability of the 2024 funds.

This prompted RC Shigella to instruct the GGML staff to leave the meeting.

“You can’t play games with the Sh9 billion that belongs to citizens. Do you intend to take it just like that? Is this what the entire management has agreed upon?” the RC questioned.

"Return to your workstation. Once you disburse the money, you may come back here," Mr Shigella said, emphasizing that the mine’s operations would be impossible without the support of both the government and the citizens.

He pointed out that while citizens eagerly awaited development, GGML was blaming the council for the delay in approval.

RC Shigella insisted that GGML officials leave the meeting room until the funds were disbursed. “If you don’t, don’t come to my office. Go report to the President’s Office, Regional Authorities, and Local Government (PO-RALG), or elsewhere,” he stated.

GGML’s Clarification

Simon Shayo, Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti overseeing partnerships and sustainability across Africa, clarified that under the 2010 Mining Act (amended in 2017) and the 2023 CSR regulations, mining companies are required to prepare a CSR plan that addresses the community’s economic, environmental, and cultural needs.

The plan must be developed in collaboration with the local community, submitted to the Municipality and District Councils, and approved by the Ministry of Finance and PO-RALG.

Mr Shayo explained that GGML had submitted its CSR plan in February 2024, but it wasn’t approved by the Municipality or the relevant Ministries until November 2024. 

He added that GGML had yet to receive any official communication from the municipality to enable the company to prepare the project’s implementation plan.

“The company is ready to implement the CSR plan, ensuring it complies with legal and regulatory requirements and aligns with our values to support the local community’s development,” he stated.

Legislative Support

Chato MP Medard Kalemani affirmed that CSR is a legal obligation under Section 105 of the Mining Act and the 2023 CSR regulations, which mandate annual payments.

He suggested that GGML be formally reminded that a year had passed, and the delay in mining operations cannot justify the non-disbursement of CSR funds.

Geita Town MP Constantine Kanyasu echoed this sentiment, urging GGML to implement CSR for the current year by the end of the year. 

He criticized GGML’s claim of canceling the 2024 plan, emphasizing that CSR should not be seen as charity.

Mr Kanyasu called upon the company to apologize for disrespecting the authorities.

Delays in Project Implementation

Geita District Commissioner Hashim Komba highlighted that delays in decision-making were a key challenge in CSR project implementation. 

He noted that GGML’s costs were higher compared to government-funded projects.