Stakeholder Management

Kongiwe was appointed to assist a dual listed Australian and US gold mining company to undertake the Stakeholder Engagement for an underground gold mining project in Mpumalanga, South Africa. A Public Participation Process (PPP) was undertaken in compliance with the South African permitting framework. The desired outcomes of the PPP are not only to meet the legislative requirements for environmental authorisation, but also to establish positive relationships with the various stakeholders to ensure that when the project is implemented, these relationships can contribute to the successful execution of the project. The PPP was undertaken for the Scoping and EIA Environmental Authorisation phases. The PPP offered stakeholders an opportunity to be informed about the proposed projects, to raise issues of concern and to make suggestions for enhanced project benefits, as well as receive feedback from the environmental specialists and/or proponent where required, whether it was through written responses or at meetings held. The project area has a long history of formal and informal gold mining. Conflict between informal mining groups and increased environmental impacts stemming from unregulated activities heightens the importance of initiative-taking public engagement. Kongiwe was able to engage effectively with stakeholders with often opposing views and establish meaningful long-term engagement.