Greater Emphasis On Ensuring Sustainability

Engineering expertise can be used to generate socio-economic gains for mining companies, particularly in jurisdictions that are dependent on the finite business of mineral extraction, states global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon, an adviser to the African mining sector.

- Nadine James

Aurecon client director for resources – Africa, Dr Eduard Vorster, states that “mining is big business, but it’s also susceptible to big change”.

He notes that companies that want to succeed in the increasingly scrutinised mining environment will need to leverage more than just traditional design and project delivery tools to succeed. “Today’s definition of ‘success’ has evolved beyond only meaning fiscal stability to also include being a contributor to a future-ready society.”

As such, mine closure and rehabilitation presents “one of the most difficult and often emotional, yet potentially most advantageous, opportunities for the mining sector globally”.