There has also been a focus on the need to apply the principle of free, prior and informed consent, as the absence of (or merely pro forma) consultation with local and indigenous communities on decisions to start and operate mining activities has remained a pervasive issue and has been a source of conflicts.
Les populations doivent pouvoir exercer leur droit au consentement libre et préalable en connaissance de cause; en effet, l &apos; absence de consultations, ou des consultations purement formelles avec les populations locales et autochtones, sur les décisions d &apos; ouvrir et d &apos; exploiter des mines demeure un problème grave qui est souvent à l &apos; origine de conflits.