Zimbabwe-based public interest environmental law group Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association executive director Mutuso Dhliwayo has been granted the opportunity to deliver a presentation on sustainability and fairness in the African mining industry at the upcoming 2014 Investing in African Mining Indaba for the first time, organisation for global justice Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) economic justice senior policy adviser Moreblessings Chidaushe tells Mining Weekly.

The Investing in African Mining Indaba, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from February 3 to 6, hosts many of the world’s leading mining firms and top investors and is a “fantastic opportunity for communities affected by mining and civil society organisations, such as Cape Town faith-based organisation Economic Justice Network, to highlight the key issues directly affecting mineworkers and communities because of mining operations,” says Chidaushe.

She further highlights that Dhliwayo is the official representative of the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) – an event, conceptualised in 2009, that now takes place every year at the same time as the indaba to highlight the concerns of civil society organisations dealing with extractive industries.

Chidaushe tells Mining Weekly that the AMI held discussions last year with the UK-based International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) – which organises sessions on sustainable development in the mining industry – on the possibility of NCA’s participation at the indaba.

“The ICMM felt that the AMI would add value to these discussions, which is why it agreed to NCA’s forming part of the advisory committee on sustainable development at this year’s indaba,” she states.

The AMI’s presentation will form part of the ICMM’s sustainable development advisory committee discussion forum.

“I believe the invitation by the ICMM is a sign that it recognises the AMI as an important forum, which cannot be ignored by indaba organisers. We hope not only to raise important issues about fairness and genuine sustainable development in the African mining industry but also to educate delegates and speakers about the AMI and encourage all relevant stakeholders to consider participation in both indabas,” she states.

Meanwhile, indaba organiser Mining Indaba LLC reiterates that Dhliwayo was invited to deliver a presentation at the request of ICCM in his capacity as Executive Director of Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association and not as a representative of the AMI.

About the AMI

NCA has been a co-organiser of the AMI for the past four years, which runs simultaneously to the Mining Indaba, usually at a venue near the CTICC, says Chidaushe.

“The indaba’s main focus is on investment and other related business aspects of mining in Africa, while the AMI’s focus is broader and includes the plight of mineworkers and communities living in mining areas,” she explains.

Chidaushe says the cost of participation in the indaba is one of the key factors preventing civil society groupings from participating.

“The cost factor is the primary reason why the AMI was established, as the organisation’s aims are to ensure that all mining industry stakeholders, particularly ordinary individuals and civil society organisations participate in the forum, which is free for everyone to attend,” she highlights.

“This will be the fifth time that the AMI will be hosted and, this year, it will take place at the Ritz Hotel, in Seapoint, Cape Town. The AMI is organised by civil society actors voicing their concerns about the mining industry, developing policy alternatives on mining and advocating for the practical implementation thereof,” she explains.

Last year, the AMI was attended by more than 100 delegates, with representatives from 12 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia.

“This year, we expect an even larger turnout, with delegates from Asia and Latin America confirming that they will attend,” states Chidaushe.