The closure of a mine is an inevitable event in the lifecycle of a mining operation and one that can have massive environmental, social and economic consequences for mining communities in particular. The ultimate goal of mine closure should be sustainable development and, while adequate planning, risk assessment and goal setting influence the mine closure process, the relationships between stakeholders, especially those between mining companies and communities, lie at the heart of implementing sustainable closure. Mining communities are affected by nearby mining operations and, although they can enjoy the economic benefits of the industry, they also bear the brunt of the negative social and environmental impacts. The focus on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in addition to the increased power of communities in recent years has forced mining companies to consider the interests of this stakeholder group. The community‟s perceptions and expectations of sustainable development can, however, differ from those of the mining company and have an influence on the stakeholder engagement process. The current study investigates the mining community of Kagiso‟s perceptions of sustainable development and the implications of these perceptions for the implementation of Mintails Mogale Gold Mine‟s approach to mine closure. Stakeholder engagement issues are brought to the fore and recommendations for improving the engagement between the mine and the community are proposed. / M (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The closure of a mine is an inevitable event in the lifecycle of a mining operation and one that can have massive environmental, social and economic consequences for mining communities in particular. The ultimate goal of mine closure should be sustainable development and, while adequate planning, risk assessment and goal setting influence the mine closure process, the relationships between stakeholders, especially those between mining companies and communities, lie at the heart of implementing sustainable closure. Mining communities are affected by nearby mining operations and, although they can enjoy the economic benefits of the industry, they also bear the brunt of the negative social and environmental impacts. The focus on sustainable development and corporate social responsibility in addition to the increased power of communities in recent years has forced mining companies to consider the interests of this stakeholder group. The community‟s perceptions and expectations of sustainable development can, however, differ from those of the mining company and have an influence on the stakeholder engagement process. The current study investigates the mining community of Kagiso‟s perceptions of sustainable development and the implications of these perceptions for the implementation of Mintails Mogale Gold Mine‟s approach to mine closure. Stakeholder engagement issues are brought to the fore and recommendations for improving the engagement between the mine and the community are proposed. / M (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The history of the mining industry indicates a lack of understanding among the decision-makers of the impact the closure of mines has on the industry and the associated effects on the society and surrounding environment. The policies of the mining industry do make provision for a planned mine closure, but not for an unexpected closure. This detrimental aspect of closures in the mining industry is highlighted in the present study. The present study investigates how mineworkers’ dependency on their employment at a mine affects their ability to sustain their livelihoods. Vulnerable livelihoods leave the community at a greater risk to be affected by a disaster, than the livelihoods of a community that is resilient and has sustainable resources. Even though mineworkers are not considered as poor at the time of their employment, a mine closure could render them into a status called ‘transitional poverty’. This study also highlights that mineworkers who are skilled for mining operations only do not overcome the status of ‘transitional poverty’ and hence enter a phase called ‘chronic poverty’. This stage constitutes their inability to negotiate livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes that could sustain a household. Thus humanitarian assistance would be needed from outside sources. Planning for unexpected mine closures should also be on the agenda of the mining industry due to the extreme consequences such an event holds for the mining community experiencing the event. In the case under investigation, the unexpected mine closures occurred in the Grootvlei mine in Springs and the Orkney mine owned by the Aurora Empowerment Systems Ltd. at the time of this study. These closures left the surrounding communities in need of food, shelter and clean water. The inhabitants gradually lost their livelihood assets. A contingency planning model is proposed at the end of this study to address the short-term and long-term consequences of an unexpected mine closure. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The history of the mining industry indicates a lack of understanding among the decision-makers of the impact the closure of mines has on the industry and the associated effects on the society and surrounding environment. The policies of the mining industry do make provision for a planned mine closure, but not for an unexpected closure. This detrimental aspect of closures in the mining industry is highlighted in the present study. The present study investigates how mineworkers’ dependency on their employment at a mine affects their ability to sustain their livelihoods. Vulnerable livelihoods leave the community at a greater risk to be affected by a disaster, than the livelihoods of a community that is resilient and has sustainable resources. Even though mineworkers are not considered as poor at the time of their employment, a mine closure could render them into a status called ‘transitional poverty’. This study also highlights that mineworkers who are skilled for mining operations only do not overcome the status of ‘transitional poverty’ and hence enter a phase called ‘chronic poverty’. This stage constitutes their inability to negotiate livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes that could sustain a household. Thus humanitarian assistance would be needed from outside sources. Planning for unexpected mine closures should also be on the agenda of the mining industry due to the extreme consequences such an event holds for the mining community experiencing the event. In the case under investigation, the unexpected mine closures occurred in the Grootvlei mine in Springs and the Orkney mine owned by the Aurora Empowerment Systems Ltd. at the time of this study. These closures left the surrounding communities in need of food, shelter and clean water. The inhabitants gradually lost their livelihood assets. A contingency planning model is proposed at the end of this study to address the short-term and long-term consequences of an unexpected mine closure. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014