IN MY MINE(D)
Social engagement prioritized in new tailings standard By Vassie Maharaj, Franciska Lake, and Matthew Law
I
t’s probably not by chance that the first principle of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) GISTM requires engagement that is to “respect the rights of project-affected people” and to endures from planning, to operations, “meaningfully engage them at all phases of the tailings facility lifecycle”. This social focus reflects not only the potential to closure and beyond − as long as vulnerability of communities close to tailings storage facilities (TSFs), but also aligns with the broader trend to integrate envithe tailings facility exists. ronmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into tailings management. While social engagement with project-affected people is a well-established practice in various permitting, licencing and authorization processes, the GISTM requires engagement that endures for the operational life of the tailings facility and into closure – which in turn implies the need for a social engagement plan for the lifetime of the mine and beyond. Such engagement should extend to all stakeholders, including regulators, local government, traditional authorities, landowners, community-based organizations, local communities and the broader public. This engagement needs to form part of the mine’s environmental and social management system (ESMS), which the GISTM in turn requires to be incorporated into – or to at least inform – the tailings management system (TMS). This presents one of the initial transitions that mining operations will have to make to comply with the The new tailings management standard requires that miners identify changes in GISTM and to ensure that on-site responsibilities social systems beyond the life of the operation. CREDIT: SKR CONSULTING are aligned, collaboration is fostered and the two sub-systems of an ESMS – the social and the environmental – are integrated with engineering aspects on site. tlement and compensation, and livelihood restoration. Integration of engineering, socio-economic and environAligning with GISTM requirements will include ongoing mental aspects will require the coalescence of data and skills surveillance programs that identify changes in social systems sharing between these spheres. In this way engineers will be and valuable ecosystem services to communities. As part of better equipped to understand and anticipate socio-economic impact identification and mitigation, there is also a need to risks, and to disseminate information in a stakeholder-friendly establish direct mechanisms for stakeholders to share their format, to build trust and respect between mine operations unique knowledge and understanding of the area. Social and stakeholders. engagement related to TSF management needs to build trust One underlying concern that is key to TSF-related social and stakeholder capacity, demonstrating a respect for human engagement is the potential for, and implications of, cata- rights that informs management decisions throughout the TSF strophic failure. It is critical for mining operations to under- lifecycle. CMJ stand community dynamics in order to prepare effective emergency response and recovery plans for these eventualities. VASSIE MAHARAJ is Director, Partner and Principal Consultant in Social Risk Management This is just one example which social engagement can address. and Stakeholder Engagement; FRANCISKA LAKE is Partner and Principal Environmental Others include the identification of risk factors, planning for Scientist; and MATTHEW LAW is Principal Environmental and Resource Economics Consultant spatial or economic displacement, social vulnerability, reset- at SKR Consulting. APRIL 2022
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