Mining is a vital sector for many African countries, providing raw materials, jobs, and revenues. But mining also has significant impacts on the environment and the people living near the mines. How can we balance these trade-offs and ensure that mining contributes to sustainable development in Africa?
One of the main challenges is to align the mining activities with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. The mining industry can play a key role in achieving some of these goals, such as providing clean energy, fostering innovation, and creating decent work. But mining can also hinder other goals, such as ensuring clean water, protecting biodiversity, and promoting human rights.
A recent study by Cole and Broadhurst (2022) examined the case of South Africa’s West Wits goldfield, where over 300,000 people live in 47 diverse communities that host several mines. The study measured a comprehensive set of local SDG indicators and found significant inequality and deprivation in many communities, especially the informal settlements. The study also found low levels of education, internet access, and employment across the communities, indicating high vulnerability to mine closure. The authors concluded that without major intervention, the SDGs will not be met by 2030 and thousands of people will be left behind.
Another challenge is to address the environmental and social risks along the mineral supply chains, which involve multiple actors from extraction to processing to manufacturing to consumption. These risks include human rights violations, conflict financing, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate these risks, various regulatory and voluntary approaches have been developed at the international level, such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for conflict diamonds, and the Responsible Minerals Initiative. These approaches aim to improve transparency, accountability, and traceability along the supply chains and to promote responsible sourcing practices.
However, these approaches also face some implementation challenges, such as misalignment between local reforms and international efforts, heterogeneous downstream market requirements, and gaps to report on and achieve positive local impacts. Franken and Schütte (2022) analysed these challenges from both regulatory and voluntary perspectives and suggested some ways to overcome them. They highlighted the importance of meaningful stakeholder dialogue and increased local ownership to ensure that the sustainability concerns of mining communities are addressed.
Finally, a challenge that is becoming more urgent in the context of climate change and a just transition is to weigh up the environmental harm with the social benefits of mining. Mining can provide economic opportunities and social services for many communities in Africa, but it can also contribute to global warming and ecological damage. How can we ensure that mining does not compromise the future of our planet and our people?
A recent article by Mkhize (2023) explored this question from the perspective of communities in South Africa that are affected by mining applications or expansions. The article reported that communities are increasingly considering potential social benefits such as job creation, infrastructure development, and community empowerment when deciding whether to support or oppose mining projects. However, these benefits are often uncertain or conditional on factors such as community participation, corporate social responsibility, and government regulation. Mkhize also noted that communities are becoming more aware of the negative environmental impacts of mining, such as water pollution, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Mkhize concluded that communities need more information and support to make informed decisions about mining projects and to hold mining companies accountable for their promises and actions. The article also called for more dialogue and collaboration between communities, mining companies, government authorities, civil society organisations, and researchers to find solutions that balance environmental protection with social development.
As you can see, there are many challenges facing the development of new mines in Africa. But there are also many opportunities to make mining more sustainable and beneficial for all stakeholders. It requires a delicate balancing act and the contribution of key stakeholders to get it right.