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South Africa – High-level Dialogue on Human Rights Protection and Environmental Sustainability in Mining Areas in South Africa
November 21, 2024 -8:00 am - November 22, 2024 -5:00 pm

Event Overview
On November 21-22, 2024, SARW hosted a critical two-day dialogue aimed at addressing the pressing issues faced by mining communities across Southern Africa. This event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from mining companies, financial institutions, local governments, civil society organizations, and impacted communities. The main objective was to explore the complexities of mining’s socioeconomic and environmental impacts while developing actionable solutions to protect the rights of affected communities.
The dialogue focused on three key themes:
- Socioeconomic and Environmental Rights in Mining Communities
- Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
- Collaborative Approaches to Addressing Mining’s Challenges
Key Highlights and Discussions
The event featured robust discussions centered around the intersection of mining activities and human rights. Key speakers, including legal practitioners, civil society activists, and government officials, underscored the critical need for transparency, accountability, and collaboration to create sustainable and just outcomes for mining communities.
Day 1: Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
Keynote speakers emphasized the need for mining companies to develop and implement clear human rights policies. These policies should include provisions for community consultation, grievance mechanisms, and transparency in operations. Speakers also highlighted the importance of fostering responsible investment practices and ensuring that companies’ operations do not come at the expense of human rights or environmental sustainability.
Day 2: Community Empowerment and Collaborative Approaches
On the second day, discussions focused on the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes and ensuring that mining activities do not violate the rights of affected communities. The dialogue highlighted the need for communities to be better informed and involved, with an emphasis on ensuring that consultations are meaningful and conducted in the communities’ languages. There was also a strong call for collective action, with stakeholders agreeing that collaboration between communities, governments, and businesses is essential to address the challenges faced by mining communities.
Actionable Takeaways and Recommendations
The dialogue concluded with several actionable takeaways that will guide future efforts in the sector:
- Develop Clear Human Rights Policies:
Mining companies were urged to adopt comprehensive human rights policies that outline how they will manage risks, including labor rights, land rights, and environmental concerns. These policies should be easily accessible to affected communities and include provisions for community grievances and complaints. - Community Consultation and Empowerment:
A key recommendation was the strengthening of consultation processes, ensuring they are timely, accessible, and conducted in local languages. It was agreed that meaningful consultation, including the concept of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), must be a fundamental part of mining operations. - Transparent Grievance Mechanisms:
Participants called for the establishment of clear and accessible grievance mechanisms for mining communities, ensuring they can report violations or concerns safely and effectively. These mechanisms should be part of the mining companies’ due diligence process and actively promoted to affected communities. - Focus on Rehabilitation and Land Restoration:
The discussion also touched on the issue of mine rehabilitation. Stakeholders agreed that unused rehabilitation funds should be repurposed for community development initiatives to address the long-term socioeconomic impacts of mining. The implementation of stronger mine closure policies and more stringent enforcement was seen as essential. - Building Trust and Addressing Power Asymmetries:
Addressing trust issues and power asymmetries between stakeholders was another priority. The dialogue emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaborations, including government, business, civil society, and local communities, to tackle these challenges effectively.
Call to Action
As the event wrapped up, participants were united in their call for urgent action:
- Engagement and Collaboration: Mining companies, governments, and financial institutions must work together more effectively to protect the rights of mining communities.
- Policy Reform: A collective effort to strengthen policies and ensure that mining practices align with human rights standards is critical.
- Enhanced Corporate Accountability: Mining companies must be held accountable for their actions, with a focus on long-term sustainability and the well-being of affected communities.
- Support for Affected Communities: Community-driven initiatives should be prioritized, ensuring that affected people have a voice in decisions that impact their lives, land, and livelihoods.
Looking Ahead
The two-day dialogue set the stage for continued conversations and actions to ensure the protection of mining communities’ socioeconomic and environmental rights. Stakeholders are committed to pursuing the implementation of the recommendations made during the event, with follow-up meetings and collaborations to be scheduled in the coming months.



























































































































































































Details
- Start:
- November 21, 2024 -8:00 am
- End:
- November 22, 2024 -5:00 pm
Venue
- Durban, South Africa