Description
Partners: IBF, Continental Gold mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, Seafields Resources Canadian Exploration Company, Local and State governments of Antioquia and Risaralda, Ministry of Mines of Colombia, AngloAmerican Chile, The University of Queensland and civil society organizations, the Town of Leigh Creek, Alinta Energy and the University of New England.​
Impact: Mine life cycle planning and enduring value are taking stage to meet corporate goals and deliver socio-economic outcomes for communities over the life of a mine. There is a general agreement in the literature about mining-induced effects on locals adjacent to mining operations and subsequent closure. In response, international regulatory bodies, through the implementation of global agendas, encourage exploration and mining companies to embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility. This concept is designed to provide sustainable outcomes and maintain a social license to operate over the life of a mine. This project proposed innovative tools for mine life cycle planning. Based on the findings, this project explored the socio-economic impacts of mining and mine closure. It also recommends that transferring some of the benefits from mining to create lasting value for communities needs to be considered at the initial stages of planning for the mine and the community. Recommendations also indicate that conditions such as strong local government, good governance arrangements, relevant capacity-building for sustainable livelihoods and a diversified economy are important to transferring some of the benefits from mining to create lasting value for communities. The case studies for this project were conducted in Australia and Colombia. Our Founder Dr. Isabel B. Franco in collaboration with colleagues from the University of New England, Australia led the project.
