Gba and Zor Joint Communities Forest Management Body Inc. (JCFMB) Mining Concessions and Community Forestry Saye Thompson Chairman JCFMB

Brief Introduction of JCFMB  The JCFMB represents 40 towns and the Sehyi, Zor and Gba communities  The JCFMB was established in 2009 as a compromise of customary claims over the Blei community forest by the Gba and Zor communities  The Blei Forest covers the total of hectares of land and was demarcated 2011 consistent with requirements of the CRL  The JCFMB has been legally registered

Location of the Case Study

Land Tenure Claims

Establishment of CFMB was a lengthy process of capacity building, for example… Outreach and Awareness Socio-economic survey Election of CA, CFMB Leadership and Conflict management training Forest demarcation Forest inventory Signing CFMA with FDA

Outcome of Participatory Processes Zor Community Forest Gba Community Forest Blei Community Forest Co-management agreement for the ENNR

Moving Forward-AML and CFMBs AML recognizes the need to work with the CFMB – MOU AML Construct & furnish CFMB Office AML support training & stipend for the Forest Guards Not fully transparent about land take in the Gba forest

GOL Still Award Concession in the Face of This again… Mount Belle Resources claimed concession in the Blei Forest from MLME MBR began prospecting The company was intercepted by Forest Guards of the JCFMB They fine and paid US$3, as fine for breaching the CFMA (in the constitution)

AML has rights to the iron ore but… Communities own the forest resources AML will clear 650 acres of the Gba Forest for mining operations AML Suggested moving the CF boundary AML suggested minimal compensation BUT… CFMB negotiating now for the value of the forest resources The future? AML and community will work together to value resources and sell timber for the local community’s benefit…..

Why was CFMA Recognized by AML? Because… The Community Assembly (CA) was organized and registered according to the CRL already The community was already aware of the rights the CRL transfer to the communities The capacity of the CFMBs was improved and they were recognized and actively working with local authorities at the county level CFMB constant engagement with stakeholders on the land take by AML

To Prevents Future Occurrences: Recommendation… That GOL considers and investigate existing customary and other claims before awarding concessions That GOL agencies and Ministries (MOA, FDA, EPA, MLME etc.) review and compare previous concession before awarding new one That communities with CFMA get just compensation for the forest resources over concession land and that the land be reverted to the community after the concession period