Social transitioning is a vital aspect of mine closure that can no longer be ignored, says SRK Consulting senior social scientist Jessica Edwards.

“Social acceptance of mining continues to be a challenge, not only during operations but also after closure,” she told delegates at the thirteenth International Conference on Mine Closure, in Perth, Australia, earlier last month.

Edwards presented a paper, titled ‘Social aspects of mine closure: The elephant in the room’ at the conference, which she co-authored with SRK senior environmental scientist Ashleigh Maritz.

“Although there is a strong recognition that mining companies must rehabilitate the mining-impacted biophysical environment, many are still struggling to develop trust – or a social licence to operate – within mine-affected communities,” she said.

She noted that, even though there was general consensus that stakeholders should be engaged throughout the mine closure process, stakeholder engagement still mainly revolved around permitting processes.

“Traditionally, the focus is on informing, consulting and sometimes involving stakeholders in the decision-making process,” she said.

“Little thought is given to more innovative or collaborative approaches for achieving sustainable benefits to communities.”

South Africa’s once dominant mining industry is increasingly faced with the realities of mine closure, and with the absence of clear guidance on how to facilitate this closure, mining companies are left with more questions than answers.

“With an increasing number of mines approaching the end of life, good practice examples of social transitioning are bound to emerge,” said Edwards.

In the interim, mine closure experts must rely on established community development approaches towards sustainable social transitioning beyond closure.

She noted that SRK had, over the years, developed various collaborative approaches that could be used in achieving social transitioning objectives. These strategies enable planning geared towards establishing sustainable livelihoods, allowing vulnerable communities to transition beyond mine closure.