TRISH O'REILLY Australia’s current security footprint in Africa is small in relation to the size of its involvement in Africa’s resources industry
With the rising threat of terrorism and other security concerns in Africa, the Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG) has drawn up an industry response to help ensure the safety and security of Australian companies and their employees working on the continent.
The Perth-based AAMEG represents Australian companies engaged in the development of Africa’s resources industry, supporting members operating in Africa and facilitating collaboration between industry, governments and other stakeholders to ensure that resource development produces sustainable outcomes in Africa.
“Operating in Africa offers great rewards, but it often comes with great risk. Security is extremely important and an area in which we, as an industry, need to be far more proactive,” says AAMEG CEO Trish O’Reilly.
She says the AAMEG plays an important leadership role in facilitating the resources industry working together to respond to this issue. “Recent tragic incidents highlight the urgency of such a response.”
O’Reilly notes that Australia’s current security footprint in Africa is small in relation to the size of its involvement in the resources industry, and she says that this can “complicate engagement” with African countries on security issues. Australian companies may, in some instances, be unaware of some of the risks and threats, underscoring the necessity of a united response to these concerns.
In June, the AAMEG brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s Business Liaison Unit, to discuss security needs and how the mining industry can minimise the risks of working in Africa.
O’Reilly remarks that this meeting identified issues surrounding the sharing of intelligence and complacency in terms of security and that a response should include working together with both the Australian and African governments. It also identified the lack of tools, resources and information available to the industry.
She emphasises that, by cooperating more extensively, the stakeholder group aims to facilitate preparedness and risk mitigation strategies for AAMEG members.
“Development of this security working group is ongoing and the AAMEG will continue to keep members updated on its progress,” O’Reilly concludes.