Page 57 - Vol 33 Issue 34 2021

Analysis mining

are labour-intensive with little or no machinery
used. Many artisanal miners are stuck in a
poverty trap; they must mine to live. They are
less likely to be equipped with effective safety
gear and tend to use more risky mining methods
which can lead to accidents, serious health
risks and fatalities. Hazards include: Mercury
exposure, subsidence, tunnel collapses, rock falls
and misuse of explosives.
An option to reduce the risks associated with
artisanal mining is to introduce alternative me-
thods and/or equipment. These will need to be
financially viable and timesaving. It’s important
this is paired with training and practical sessions
to help improve mining standards, conditions and
productivity. This will lead to wider understanding
of the expected benefits when safety standards
are introduced and keep miners committed and
engaged in the process.
It is without a doubt that mining is one of Af ri-
ca’s most important industries so mining o pe ra-
tions need to transition from dangerous, la bour-
intensive extraction processes to safe, au to no mous other NGOs will ensure that extraction for Essentially, community stakeholder manage-
alternatives. This will take time, in vest ment and these types of commodities doesn’t come at the ment has moved beyond a ‘nice to have’ and
further legislation to enforce best prac tice. expense of entire ecosystems. become an absolute operational imperative for
Responsible sourcing has gained traction mining companies. Community engagement
Embrace sustainable & among mining companies – centred around models will play an important role in feasibility
responsible mining the aim of finding new forms of energy that and pre-feasibility studies and will have to be
can overhaul how we fuel extraction activities. more carefully managed in the future.
ESG issues remain challenges for the mining In South Africa, Anglo American Platinum and
industry as it grapples with climate change and Sibanye Gold are already running pilot projects Looking ahead
the Fourth Industrial Revolution. aimed at using platinum-based fuel cell-powered
With mining companies strengthening their equipment in underground mines. If successful, Africa already produces over 60 different metals
corporate sustainability goals and mining giants the fuel-cells, which have zero emissions, will and minerals. In fact, more than half of the
like BHP Group and Rio Tinto publicising their replace the acid lead batteries currently used countries on the continent already export a key
ambitions for net-zero emissions by 2050, the rise in many autonomous mining operations – mineral commodity, and for some, including
of sustainable mining is only set to become more ultimately eliminating the issues of disposing Botswana, Mozambique and Guinea, over half of
important across the continent. Technology can environmentally damaging battery acid. their export revenues result from mining activities.
play a key role here. For example, at the Husab Initiatives and investment to address and There is no doubt that mining operations will
Mine in Namibia – the world’s second largest prevent the negative impacts of mining isn’t continue to be a crucial economic driving force
open-pit uranium mine – drone technologies are just restricted to the environment but also to across the continent and, as the growing demand
used to survey the entire mining site and monitor communities as well. Cases around the world for lithium has demonstrated, there are still
environmental parameters such as temperature documenting increasing conflict and hostility significant un-tapped potentials to be capitalised.
and groundwater. By conducting regular audits, towards mining enterprises demonstrate the However, with the green transition gaining traction,
mining operations can be adapted to minimize need to engage with communities and key mining operations will need to adopt smarter ways
the ecological impact and lower the operation’s stakeholders to establish a company’s ‘social of working to comply with regulatory changes and
environmental footprint. licence to mine’. Taking local priorities, concerns societal and political shifts.
Technology is not just a factor in facilitating and needs into account will enable the mining As mining companies strive to become lean,
sustainable mining practices, it is also a crucial industry to leave a positive legacy in the com- green and digital, operators across the continent
driving force behind it. For example, the growing munities they operate in. have already started to prove that the mining
use of re-chargable batteries and the push for Managing local development initiatives sector can overcome obstacles and adapt to
electric vehicles has led to a rise in demand whether building schools and clinics or making these market changes. Only time will tell if other
for rare earth elements such as lithium. With sure people have access to clean water, must be industry players will follow suit and embrace this
lithium producing countries like Zimbabwe and handled in a considerate manner that is mindful new era for mining in Africa.
Namibia, responsible sourcing needs to become of local cultural and community nuances. If
a top priority for mining operations across companies have a good and proven track record Boris Ivanov is the founder of Emiral
the continent as the global green transition of community engagement and good mining Resources Ltd
accelerates. In-country regulation to drive practices, these will be crucial factors for mining
sustainability and adherence to global standards companies to attract necessary government and
set by institutions such as the World Bank and community support.

AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol33 Issue 34 2021 | 57