Pioneering ‘green’ gold

Pioneering ‘green’ gold One mine is changing its legacy B2Gold Namibia is a pioneer in what could be termed ‘green mining’ with first-ever initiatives to mitigate its environmental impacts. The reputation of miners as ruthless and guilt-free environmental pariahs is being transformed single-handedly by B2Gold Namibia through its commitment to broad and long-term environmental initiatives.

Apart from a core focus on mining and a strict adherence to environmental management plans at the Otjikoto mining site in the Otjozondjupa Region, another focal point is putting in place long-term environmental and educational support systems that will outweigh the harmful impact of B2Gold Namibia’s activities in the area they are mining.

Mining companies often proclaim that apart from adhering to strict environmental management of the areas in which they mine, they will ensure that post mining rehabilitation will return an area to its natural state.

“You can’t return it back to its natural state. The impact is going to be long lasting and we can’t get away from that,” Mark Dawe, B2Gold Namibia’s managing director, told Namibian Sun.

In line with this, one of B2Gold’s key social responsibility programmes is geared towards environmental conservation, with the goal of ploughing back into the sector in such a way that the damage done to the environment by mining activities is offset in manifold ways.

Another key aim is to promote these strategies among other industry players who impact the environment.

“You have to realise that as a miner you are in the business of damaging the environment, and you have to look yourself in the mirror every morning and ask yourself whether or not you are able to offset that in any way,” Dawe said.

Partners

Charles Loots, general manager at B2Gold Namibia said that ultimately the input by the mine, or any company that impacts the environment, should “far outweigh the negative impact” of mining activities.

A brainchild of B2Gold, the company was instrumental in the launch earlier this year of the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), a unique umbrella body that seeks to promote collaboration in the environmental sector and help to shape the way forward in terms of research and policy and to conserve and protect the natural environment.

Careful to avoid any accusations of conflict of interest, as the NCE will depend on sponsors from various sectors, a constitution was drawn up that ensures the body can operate independently.

The NCE will also act as a one-stop shop that could help industries and governmental organisations receive top-notch advice on matters relating to environmental investment and best practice.

“You have all these specialists that work in isolation and there is no organisation that really pulls them all together, providing coordination and financial support where it is needed,” Loots explained.

With the launch of the NCE, with renowned environmental scientist Chris Brown at the helm, B2Gold Namibia hopes that NCE will inspire industry players to use the platform to help advise not only on best practice but also to help them identify worthy environmental projects that require support.

Considering that the mining industry has always been seen as the “bad guys, and are now actually facilitating the birth of something like the NCE, is an impressive paradigm shift. And I think Namibia might be the first country in the world that is doing this,” Loots added.

He said that the NCE can act as a significant beacon, pointing industry in a direction that could help them get on board with a “far more open and progressive approach to involving themselves with the environment and the environmental sector.”

Moreover, the NCE will be able to follow-up on progress, something many in the industry don’t have the capacity to do, often causing frustration and disappointment.

One of B2Gold’s goals is to help encourage industry to move past mere compliance, and the NCE can help with that shift by providing advice among other support.

Future

Loots explained that at the outset, before mining activities commenced, a stakeholders’ needs analysis was conducted in the region. Speaking to local communities, leaders, town councils, the four primary issues that the community highlighted were health, education, livelihood and environmental conservation.

“We didn’t expect conservation, but it came through quite strongly.”

While B2Gold was developing the mine, the company decided to construct an educational and meeting venue on another portion of the 20 000-hectare area of acquired farmland.

The Otjikoto Environmental and Education Centre, set within a 7 000-hectare game-fenced portion of the area, offers visitors a variety of game and bird species. Situated among indigenous trees in front of a circular communal fireplace and a near-by water hole, the crescent-shaped lapa accentuates the peaceful setting and offers an ideal venue for events and educational school camps.

The centre offers children an educational adventure that allows them to experience the practical aspects of theoretical learning they receive at schools, and in addition, places them in a natural environment populated by indigenous plants and animals.

More than 90% of the children hail from disadvantaged backgrounds, allowing them to experience the wilderness for which Namibia is well-known internationally.

According to Dawe, the aim is to invite as many kids as possible during the year, where they can take part in nature hikes, team building exercises, story time around the fire pit, fun science lessons and a visit to the nearby Otjikoto mine among other activities.

“The link to education with kids is probably the most instrumental and most rewarding aspect of the education centre, because despite the fact that Namibia is full of wildlife, kids from this area, many from a disadvantaged community, have never seen wildlife. It is such an incredible experience for them,” Dawe said.

The experience does not only change perceptions, but could turn the key to environmental awareness in each child which they will carry into adulthood and future positions of leadership an influence.

When they leave, “it has been impressed upon them that the conservation of the amazing landscape, the fauna and flora of this country, is absolute paramount,” Dawe said.

André Rousseau, the education coordinator at the centre says that the visit takes kids out of the classroom, away from their phones, and places them into the centre of nature. The goal is to teach kids that nature is a part of them and not something separate.

He said the experience contributes to a broadening of horizons. “Education isn’t just about teaching. It is also about exposing and mentoring,” he explained.

He said that before a group of learners arrive, the centre liaises with teachers in order to create a custom programme specifically designed to enhance current needs and priorities of the children.

Looking forward

The B2Gold Namibia executives who spoke to Namibian Sun made it clear that the company intends to inspire others to follow in their footsteps, as well as change perceptions of the industry as a whole. But serious reflection is required.

“If you dig a hole in the ground, you know you are going to damage and destroy that little bit of earth. But if you are employing and educating people, and there is an organisation such as NCE that can continue after the mine is closed, then you are really adding value to the community and the environment far beyond that very localised area that you are damaging,” Loots said.

Dawe also underscored the fact that large industry plays a critical role in countries, contributing enormous amounts in taxation, foreign income earnings and royalties among other fees, in addition to employment creation and other benefits.

And yet, if industry takes an active interest in giving back in manifold ways into various sectors such as education and the environment then “you can honestly say to yourself as a miner, because I was here the country is so much better off.”

JANA-MARI SMITH