says Bayoglu. He explains that ZAC is focusing on
economic development projects to create opportunities
that will employ people and continue to do so even long
after the mine’s closure.
Hayes shares similar sentiments to Bayoglu, adding
that by the time SHiP reaches the end of its lifespan,
“the community company would have invested their
capital wisely, created new project opportunities, and
therefore created sustainable business growth that used
the mine as a springboard for growth but ultimately not
dependent on it when it closes.”
Way forward
Accommodating mine-affected communities is a
complex process, not only for mine companies, but
for communities and the industry as a whole. As such,
making the process transparent and easy to understand
will ease some of the pressure for the industry.
According to Van Wyk, it is important to create viable
institutions and to regulate them in a manner that is
clearly understood by everyone. With reference to the
proposed draft of the Mining Charter, he stresses that it
should create some clarity on trusts and its structures.
Another suggestion from Van Wyk is that the
Charter should consider and address the negative
impacts that mining has on communities. Having
communities represented on various committees on a
mine, including health and safety, disaster management
and environmental management, and mine closure
committees, is one of the suggestions put forward by
Van Wyk.
Equal distribution among the community members
is also essential. With reference to the SHiP mining
project, a community company will be established
where the community will be shareholders and appoint
management and a board to run their affairs. According
to Van Wyk, avoiding corruption requires oversight
from a national level on what communities will do once
they are paid by mining companies. In addition, he
suggests democratically and legally constituted audits of
all community trusts.
“The biggest challenge is to manage expectations
and ensure fair distribution,” Hayes says. To address
this challenge, Bayoglu stresses the importance of
“consulting with the community to explain the
company’s expectations”. Equally, understanding the
expectations of the community is essential.
Future for mining and the community
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