African Mining February 2021 | Page 27

ENVIRONMENT •

set mines in direct competition with local communities . Rising average temperatures in some regions may also lead to the geographic spread of communicable diseases like malaria – which may affect employees and surrounding communities .

Impacts on public infrastructure will also have a knock-on effect for mines . More frequent flooding or drought will change municipalities ’ planning and investment in water supply or stormwater facilities . This may put mining companies at a disadvantage or affect mines ’ social license to operate .

“ This will demand not just a technical solution but careful relationship building , so that platforms are created for collaborative and long-term answers with buy-in from all stakeholders ,” she says .

Risk and compliance Burmeister says that mining clients are increasingly cognisant of climate change risk . Industry standards are evolving – even in advance of national standards or requirements .

“ With financial institutions also seeing the potential risks to their investments posed by climate change , they are increasingly stipulating that climate change issues are addressed in planning studies for mining projects ,” she says .

To effectively address the varied risks that accompany climate change , she emphasises that solutions need to be integrated . In other words , technical input must be coordinated across a range of professional disciplines . It is crucial that climate change impacts be ‘ mainstreamed ’ into various technical disciplines if it is to be effectively addressed .

“ Our philosophy at SRK is that climate change must be considered by all disciplines in the project team ,” she says . “ This includes expertise in various facets of engineering , as well as in the natural and social sciences .”

Climate change : As temperatures and rainfall patterns change , traditional forms of livelihood could be threatened .

SRK is looking at developing site-specific climate change-related rainfall models for its mining clients , to better inform their project and operational planning .