In a pioneering step, a large mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has – with assistance from SRK Consulting Congo – become the first to have its Cahier de Charge (Social Term Sheet) approved.
Mines generally have community development plans but these are often designed by the mine, which historically had little formalised input from local communities or other stakeholders.
Regulations introduced in 2018 require mines to set out a clear and financially-provisioned five-year plan for local social development – a Cahier de Charge – in consultation with local communities and stakeholders. According to Susa Maleba, country manager at SRK Consulting Congo, the key aspect of the new requirement was that effective consultation be conducted.
"Mines generally have community development plans but these are often designed by the mine, which historically had little formalised input from local communities or other stakeholders,” said Maleba. “This compulsory consultative process – as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment – ensures that mine initiatives align with the real needs and preferences of those affected by the mine."
The mining company contracted SRK Consulting Congo to work with its DRC mine on planning and implementing the consultation – which began in 2018 and lasted four months. The final agreement between the communities and the company was signed off, in March 2019.
Established a decade ago in Lubumbashi, the local SRK office appointed its
stakeholder engagement specialist Philippe Katuta to guide the process.
SRK Contributors:
Cyprien Susa Maleba, Philippe Katuta
Read the full article in Modern Mining
