Plan closure of projects, says consultant

THE closure of any resource project, such as mines, should be included in the operational plan before any work should begin, private consultant Prof Richard Jackson said.
This was to avoid failure of any sustainable and investment projects that mining and oil companies plan for their communities in preparation for the closure, he said.
Speaking at the 8th chamber of mines and petroleum community affairs seminar last week, Jackson pointed out that most of the communities where mines had closed are among the world’s most poor and depressed people, despite having these opportunities.
He suggested to all the stakeholders and resource project managers that though it was commendable to assist the communities with sustainable projects in preparation for the closure, it was most wise to invest in training and education.
“You need to emphasise on education so that future generations will have a chance to seek opportunities outside of their post-mine communities.
“So during your operational years, school teacher’s housing is a better investment than a school itself,” he said.
Jackson also pointed out one thing that did work as seen from the Misima mine was the training and transfer of skills.
He said the locals were taught during the mine life and when it closed, these men then received further training and became most sought after at various mine sites within and out of the country.
“That is true sustainability that is within the power of any company to do.
“It comes from within an organization, and the skills are portable and lasts a lifetime,” Jackson said.
Jackson also suggested that companies should also, during the course of the mine life, slowly integrate local government and ensure local capacity to maintain ongoing mine benefits.
“It has been shown very clearly around the world that the real key to the sustaining of mining benefits after closure is the presence of an efficiently functioning local government,” Jackson said.