International environmental, health, safety and sustainability consultancy Environ showcased its services and solutions offering for the African mining industries at last month’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, which took place in Cape Town from February 3 to 6.

The company established an office, in Johannesburg, South Africa, in July 2012, as it believed that, after working throughout Africa for over 10 years, having a permanent presence in the country was necessary and a natural step forward in committing and strengthening its position in the region.

Environ senior manager Clinton Phaal pointed out that Environ had an extensive understanding of how to conduct operations throughout Africa, owing to its portfolio of work in 34 countries on the continent, including South Africa, Botswana, the Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Angola, Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia.

“Environ understands that environmental and social risks cannot be managed effectively without a clear understanding of the associated local economic factors; therefore, we are committed to providing risk management solutions that cover the entire mine life cycle to achieve a sustainable balance of economic, social and environmental considerations,” stated Phaal.

He emphasised that Environ assists its clients in understanding and managing their operational environmental and social impacts, as well as risks and liabilities.

“We also deal with the risks and opportunities posed by the rapidly changing stakeholder expectations of corporate, environmental and social performance,” said Phaal.

Environs’ service offering to the mining industry includes, but is not limited to, air quality management; climate change and energy management; ecology and sediment management; environmental- and social-impact assessments; environmental, health and safety management systems; human health and ecological risk assessments; human health sciences; merger and acquisition due diligence reporting; product safety and regulatory support; regulatory compliance assistance and permitting; and site investigation and remediation.

The company’s Mining Indaba delegation consisted of Phaal, principal consultants Glenn Mills, John Lambert and Peter Boyle; managing principal David Scott; and senior consultant Raveshni Maharaj.