The most significant constraints to the partnership between mining and conservation, as well as implementable mechanisms that can be used to tackle this issue, will be addressed by the 2012 Investing in African Mining Indaba’s Sustain- able Development in Mining segment.

Panellists and policymakers will discuss how multi-stakeholder initiatives can contribute to Africa’s development, as well as the possible challenges and opportunities for collaboration between mining companies and con- servation organisations.

One such organisation is WWF South Africa, which will be represented at the session by CEO Dr Morné du Plessis in his capacity as feature speaker.

Du Plessis, who was appointed CEO in September 2007, will discuss the symbiosis between mining and conser- vation, and discuss how mining companies can adjust and reform their operations to protect local biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

In early 2011, WWF South Africa lobbied banks and mining companies to avoid applying for prospecting rights in areas that are deemed vital in conservation efforts.

The organisation reported that the long-term effects of mining in priority biodiversity areas or water catchments include devastating impacts on the future water security of South Africa, large-scale loss of vegetation and poten- tially severe cultural and economic impacts on high-yield agricultural areas and tourism nodes.

Head of the WWF South Africa Living Lands unit Mark Botha acknowledged the contribution of mining to the South African eco- nomy, but emphasised that it cannot supersede longer- term, viable economic, social and environmental land uses.

“Restriction of rights is required in the areas of bio- diversity, hydro-logical and cultural heritage priority, and these areas need to be well known and well communi- cated. Protecting areas of such critical value through voluntary avoidance of prospecting and mining is in the national interest,” he says.

WWF South Africa stresses that while it is not opposed to mining and prospecting, it asserts that the main issue surrounding sustainability in mining is to ensure that there is sufficient value for the public, as well as shareholders.