Anthony Benham spoke about the top environmental and social issues that the mining industry can face from investors.
He covered in detail embedding ESG at the early stages of the project talking about possible risks, issues, and mitigation strategies.
Key take-aways
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Get involved in the conversation about ESG | Promise too much to local communities too soon without explaining the risks |
| Know the jurisdiction – they aren’t all the same. E&S setting, legislation, local hierarchies. Context-context-context! | Assume major risks/ potential impacts will be dealt with at a later stage and are not material at exploration or Mineral Resource reporting stage. |
| Take cognisance of site specific issues – particularly water sources, indigenous peoples, artisanal mining communities and land use | Prioritise international standards / guidelines / initiatives over local – host country/administrative region is most important to satisfy |
| Identify potential major risks and impacts early and indicate how these will be addressed | Omit vulnerable groups of communities during stakeholder engagement |
| Involve ESG specialists in early studies (this doesn’t have to be expensive) | Rely on ex-patriate workers – employ and train locals to leave a lasting local legacy |
| Read the regional mining code and understand the E&S commitments embedded in exploration & mining licences/permits | Start community development projects without consulting and agreeing with local communities |
| Engage with local communities before exploration commences even if not required in permit | Disturb habitat without conducting studies/surveys to identify route to least damage |
| Embed ESG good practice into exploration protocols | |
| Conceptualise mine waste management as early as possible | |
| Have a closure vision from outset of exploration | |
| Think of climate change resilience |