At PDAC, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced a total of $8.1 million in funding for the following projects:

Project: Stability and Security of Mining Communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Partner: IMPACT
Funding: $2 million (2026 to 2028)

The project aims to improve the security of artisanal mining communities by preventing conflict, promoting stability and fostering an environment that supports peaceful cohabitation between ASM communities and industrial mining operations in areas located near industrial mines along the future Lobito Corridor in southern Democratic Republic of Congo. The project includes support for local initiatives that prevent conflict and strengthen responsible governance of the mining sector. It will also promote multi-party dialogue between industrial mining companies and artisanal mining cooperatives to address mining-related conflicts.

Project: Artisanal Mining and Community Resilience in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso
Partner: IMPACT
Funding: $3 million (2026 to 2028)

The project targets the high gold intensity regions of Nando in Burkina Faso and Bounkani and Hambol in Côte d’Ivoire and seeks to prevent conflict and promote stability in one of the most conflict-affected corridors in West Africa. It proposes a three-pronged approach: supporting the ASM operators by strengthening compliance and regulation, increasing financial clarity and transparency to encourage the formalization of the ASM sector, and advancing the economic and decision‑making participation of women in mining communities.

Project: Inclusive management of the mining fund for peace and stabilization in Burkina Faso
Partner: Alinea International
Funding: $3.1 million (2024 to 2027)

This project is strengthening the capacity of communities to plan, manage and monitor social cohesion initiatives, organize inclusive dialogues to prevent mining-related conflict and mobilize state and non-state actors involved in the Mining fund for Local Development (FMDL) to ensure inclusive and transparent management of the funds and to implement local initiatives focused on peace and security. It also seeks to strengthen the capacities, involvement and leadership of women, girls and marginalized groups in local inclusive and equitable initiatives. By strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations, the project promotes the participation of local communities in managing mining resources. This ensures that the interests of local communities are heard and helps reduce tensions that fuel violence, conflict, and illegal trade within the communities.