Time: 10.50am (Session 3)
Social aspects of mine closure are often not well understood, which means that companies either avoid or postpone the development and implementation of strategies towards achieving sustainable closure. Delaying the planning for social closure may cost companies money and reputational damage at the end of closure, instead of leaving a lasting legacy that includes sustainable post-mining opportunities for mining affected communities.
Within the African context, the concept of social license to operate is receiving traction and companies are actively adopting policies and management practises to address this key requirement. Similarly, the value of involving communities in project planning and design is gaining momentum, especially within the realms of local government and service delivery infrastructure. The concept of co-production has shown many benefits, including the ability to address the root causes of social conflict and the opportunity to develop tailored solutions that speaks specifically to each affected community.
The process of co-production also leads to increased innovation and efficiency when they are designed, not only with the affected community in mind, but also in collaboration with stakeholders. This process has shown to increase community satisfaction and a greater sense of local ownership, leading to more cohesive communities. By acknowledging the roles that communities play in the operation and closure of industries, companies can use the concept of co-production to earn a social license to operate and in addition to build the confidence and capacity of stakeholders and communities. In doing so, companies reduce the dependency of communities on a single source of employment.
