MINING INDABA •
In the same way that the industry has made momentous strides in finding engineering solutions, we are learning how to effectively engage with communities.
It is clear from the sector’ s environmental, social and governance( ESG) commitments that questions of communication and trust are now front and centre in efforts to mitigate social risk. With smart devices now carrying messages in real time across all sectors of society, the airwaves are literally crammed – meaning that mining companies need to be more proactive in communicating.
This is not only a technical issue, however. While there is always scope to improve the frequency, accuracy and targetting, of communication, it is still the alignment of‘ what is said’ and‘ what is done’ that creates the true foundation for credibility and collaboration.
Real engagement It is probably a truism that trust suffers when there is conflict – or even where there is inequality of any sort. Most mines must therefore face situations where their messaging conflicts with what is coming from other sources. This is to be expected, as a diversity of views is simply part of life.
Where this issue is becoming more of a challenge, though, is where digital and other media are harnessed to spread untruths – leading to situations where a mine and communities cannot even agree on a set of basic facts. One of the tasks facing us as an industry is to build upon the trust and partnerships that exist in our respective ecosystems, to ensure that there remains a common factual basis for a relationship of mutual trust. It applies to our relationships with all stakeholders – from government and regulators to customers and suppliers
Knowing who to believe This is where the argument returns to where it began: the vital importance of regular and continuous engagement with our partners in mining – real engagement, authenticity and reasonable levels of transparency. This is how individuals learn to trust each other, and how legal entities like companies agree to do business. Business becomes significantly less efficient and more expensive when our interactions are primarily contractual – when our trust is in our contractual terms rather than in each other.
Our engagements are now also competing with multiple other channels of communication – many of them misguided but quite believable on face value. To continue with the instance of minecommunity relationships, a mine’ s leadership is now frequently called upon to refute the allegations – or at least the alternative version – related to their plans or actions.
The rise of AI may contribute to innovative technical solutions but it is also likely to lead to even more misinformation, making it harder to preserve and build trust. This is exacerbated by the fact that past mistakes by the industry are more likely to stick in the minds of the public than the many ways in which we have become more responsible.
So, there is an even greater onus on the sector to build relationships that will withstand the inevitable impact of misinformation. The trust that can be developed in this way provides parties with firmer ground on which to base their decisions and interactions. Consistent integrity should, at the very least, allow us to engage and retain our social licence to operate, even when misinformation is rife.
As we gather again in February, it is worth remembering that every interaction in those myriad halls, passages and meeting rooms around Cape Town, can contribute to building stronger partnerships of trust. These are the building blocks of the industry, as they can give some assurance to parties that they know who to believe. •
www. africanmining. co. za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • January 2026 • 31