Companies across all sectors are having to toe the line and create operations that are environmentally and socially sustainable; however, the path to sustainability is often unclear in a sector largely known for generating huge profit yields with equally huge negative environmental and social impacts.
South African mining solutions and rehabilitation company Ncamiso Mining MD Fikile Mashinini highlights that, in the context of mining, sustainable development needs to be integrated with social and environmental sustainability where the overall goal is to reconcile economic activity with social concerns, effective governance systems and environmental integrity.
He adds that this will require serious education, awareness and enforced policies to pro-actively limit damage from mining operations. “Although mining results in growth of the economy, there is a very narrow balancing act in ensuring an equitable distribution of costs and benefits that minimises the harmful effects of mining without destroying future opportunities for life, wellbeing and financial growth.”
Ncamiso provides sustainable alternative mining solutions focusing specifically on land rehabilitation after mining activity, and insists on educating all its employees on the principles and importance of sustainability.
Ncamiso COO Tshego Motsoenyane highlights that there is a call in the industry for meaningful action that will make a tangible difference in the future. “No mining house is perfect, but, if we all set out with the same intentions and actions for lasting good and a positive impact . . . then we are on the right path,” he states.
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has set out a framework for best practice to achieve sustainable development in the mining and metals industry and Ncamiso has made a commitment to embrace and apply these principles.
Mashinini points out that, although many challenges stand in the way of achieving sustainable development in the mining industry, elements such as education, accountability and action are the defining factors that will affect change.
In 2009, African heads of State and government adopted Africa’s Mining Vision, which encourages the “transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socioeconomic development”. Mashinini adds that the vision involves respecting human rights, engaging with the community and stakeholders, and safeguarding the environment, as well as acting with integrity, accountability and honesty.
“The true success of a business cannot be measured by profit yield only,” he avers, suggesting that a holistic approach is needed where a company’s success is measured by all factors affecting stakeholders, people, the environment and communities, as well as the long-term economic impact of a project. Mashinini concludes that, if companies are able to achieve this, “then [they] can stand tall with integrity, knowing [they] have honestly contributed to the betterment of the future for our children and grandchildren and . . . are leaving something valuable behind for them”.