Modern Mining February 2015

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February 2015MODERN MINING35
SUSTAINABILITY
IN MINING
ture
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is important as, at the moment, we have a situ-
ation where the methodologies and approaches
adopted by community relations practitioners
can differ quite markedly from one country to
another – and indeed from one mining com-
pany to another.”
She adds, incidentally, that it is quite frus-
trating when international mining companies
fly in people from overseas – at great expense
– to do training in Africa. “This is quite unnec-
essary. We’re here and we can help. If overseas
companies use our services, they’ll find we’re
not only very effective but that we can also save
them money,” she says.
On future goals for the CSMI, Digby says
the Centre will be looking to strengthen its
African ‘footprint’. “Historically, most of our
work has been done in South Africa but we’re
increasingly interested in engaging with other
organisations – including universities – in sub-
Saharan African with a view to taking some of
the work we’ve done and rolling it out more
broadly,” she points out. “We need partners in
Africa and this will be something we’re going
to devote a lot of time to in the coming year.”
Digby is also hoping to see the CSMI do
more work on the complex issue of artisanal
mining. “This is not an activity we can ignore,”
she explains. “By some estimates, around 20
million people worldwide are engaged in infor-
mal mining, which is many times the number
employed in formal mining. It’s an issue that’s
not going to go away and clearly mining compa-
nies are going to have to engage with informal
miners operating on or close to their properties,
irrespective of whether their activities are legal
or not. We’re planning a series of seminars this
year to bring together interested parties to dis-
cuss this whole issue and chart a way forward.”
Finally, and on the future of mining in South
Africa, Digby makes the point that the indus-
try is at the crossroads. “As with most things,
there are a range of possible scenarios ranging
from good to bad,” she says. “Essentially, we
have a mining sector with many legacy issues
which is in the process of transitioning into the
21st century. If it can manage this transition
successfully – and this will depend to a large
extent on achieving true sustainability in min-
ing operations – then there is no reason why we
cannot have a vibrant and prosperous mining
sector 10, 20 or 30 years hence. If the industry
fails to address the issue of sustainability effec-
tively, then one can envisage a future where
workers and communities increasingly adopt
a confrontational approach to mining activi-
ties and where more Marikanas are a distinct
possibility. My impression is that the mining
industry is starting to make the right choices
and that the optimistic scenario is the more
likely outcome.”
Report by Arthur Tassell
A typical artisanal mining
site in Africa (photo: SRK).