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For over a decade, we have been actively involved in Olam Rubber Gabon (ORG), a 60:40 joint venture. We manage nearly 11,000 hectares of high-yielding rubber trees. Additionally, we protect a further 26,500 hectares (over 68% of the total concession area) of high-conservation-value forest, buffer zones, infrastructure, and village use areas.
Our long-term success depends on ensuring local populations have strong agricultural and agronomic skills. We’re committed to providing gainful, stable employment, and training for populations with otherwise limited opportunities for growth.
We conduct employee training in key areas such as tapping, plantation maintenance, field quality control and assurance as well as health, safety and environmental (HSE) matters. Of our 500+ employees, 99% are Gabonese, and a third are female. We also work with 1500+ contractor employees.
Our robust smallholder procurement program supports more than 300 planters, significantly contributing to income generation for local communities.
Assisted Tapping
Through a strategic division of labor, our tappers are able to focus primarily on the core activity of tapping. The collection aspect of the job is managed by dedicated collectors. This approach ensures that our highly skilled tappers remain focused on their primary expertise. Utilizing this tapping method, we have enabled each tapper to manage up to 1,250 trees, a significant increase from the previous average of 750. This represents one of the highest tapping tasks achieved globally.
Certified Cultivation
Located in abandoned agricultural and secondary forests, at the beginning of our joint venture we conducted an environmental impact assessment with public consultation. Surveys identified 11,000 ha of plantable land, and have since achieved ISO14001 certification for rubber operations as well as environment management.
Free Prior & Informed Consent
The surrounding villages in Bitam, Bikondom and Minvoul have been included in freely negotiated social contracts, established through a free prior and informed consent procedure. Social contracts include commitments to contribute to, recruitment of local population, social infrastructure, and supporting small-scale agriculture.
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