Mining plays a vital role in the economic development of many African countries, and mining operations have had economic, environmental, social and even political impacts at national, provincial and local levels. Even so, it is not business-as-usual for mining companies as global pressure continues to mount for responsible mining practices that take into consideration the environment and socio-economic developmental needs of communities affected by mining operations.

According to Bigen CEO Luthando Vutula, increased pressure is being placed on the industry to drive meaningful change by adopting stronger environmental, social and governance (ESG) approaches. ‘Mining companies are expected to go beyond a mere focus on profitability and satisfaction of shareholders to take [into] consideration the needs, particularly of communities where they operate. These requirements are increasingly being legislated by regulators in various countries, including industry agreements such as the Mining Charter in South Africa,’ says Vutula.

‘Our diversified service offering assists our mining clients to remain profitable enterprises through our innovative technical capabilities in areas such as water engineering and logistics, while also contributing positively to local economic development in the communities in which they operate.’

As a leading African engineering and infrastructure development company, Bigen has been responsible for a legacy of world-class projects in more than 19 countries, delivered with social development impact as the common denominator. In the mining industry, the group has earned a solid reputation for not only providing a comprehensive range of professional services and enabling infrastructure across the mining spectrum, but also for its passion for making a lasting difference to the affected communities. The group provides mining clients with enabling infrastructure solutions – based on, among others, its intimate understanding of the requirements of governments, local authorities and communities, in addition to other stakeholders.

ONE-STOP SHOP
Apart from offering a convenient one-stop shop experience – providing enabling infrastructure such as potable water supply systems, wastewater facilities and recycling as well as roads and rail required by mines to operate effectively – Bigen offers development advisory and impact services as an extra value add.

‘Our approach of consciously integrating socio-economic development impact as a key component in all our projects invariably leads to shared value being created for both our mining clients and their respective target communities,’ says Vutula. ‘When a water reservoir is built for a mine, the surrounding community should be able to benefit from now having access to potable water and the mine from processing the resultant greywater.

‘Further value is added when the local communities surrounding the mine are empowered through economic inclusion, skills development, and employment and procurement opportunities on the project.’

This approach has achieved proven results, not only in the mining industry but throughout all the major sectors in which Bigen operates across the continent. Bigen’s development advisory and impact experts will typically advise at the initial infrastructure development planning stage of a project, on deriving maximum impact from the project to ultimately also benefit the surrounding communities.

CHAMPIONING SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE
In Botswana, Bigen’s role as the government representative in the 360 km North-South-Carrier water transfer system – the country’s largest engineering project ever undertaken – not only helped avert a major water crisis in Gaborone but also created a welcome economic revival in surrounding communities through the creation of thousands of job opportunities, training prospects and gaining access to potable water.

In addition, Bigen’s involvement in the Namibian Kranzberg to Walvis Bay railway improvement project will create 11 540 direct and indirect jobs and a projected NAD687 375 in community-retained earnings.

A host of infrastructure development projects across Africa bears silent testimony to the success of Bigen’s undertaking to consistently benefit communities, clients and stakeholders and improve the livelihoods and well-being of the people of Africa.

Bigen’s management philosophy is similarly proactive in engaging governments in Africa to formulate policies that acknowledge the natural synergy between commercial development and social upliftment as a solution to improving livelihoods. Such policies ensure that government-contracted developers, rather than merely amassing wealth from their activities on African soil, also create sustainable benefits beyond pure capital gains for the communities where they work.

Whether in the continent’s mining, health, real estate, transportation or water industries, Bigen considers itself a champion of the socio-economic infrastructure developmental agenda. Recognising that sustainable development in Africa can only be achieved through localised and inclusive approaches, the group has aligned its business efforts to address inequality, unemployment and poverty. ‘As staunch supporters of the African developmental agenda, we are committed to shaping a better future for Africa’s people,’ says Vutula.

‘With a professional and experienced workforce, an intimate knowledge of the needs of Africa, diversified business lines and a continued focus on development impact, we look forward to continuing working with our private and public sector clients in the mining industry to transform the economies of African nations and the prosperity of its people.’

The Bigen Group provides a broad spectrum of socio-economic, financial, technical, environmental, and institutional services and is a powerful change-maker in the mining, agricultural, water and sanitation, real estate, transportation, energy, health, and development advisory sectors.

+27 (0)12 842 8700
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www.bigengroup.com