Aldine Armstrong, of Earth Matters, has been offering conciliation and facilitation services for the past 19 years, specifically in the area of sustainable development and environmental matters. From this, she established Earth Matters, a mediation company designed to cater for disputes encountered by engineers, industry, developers and businesses that are deadlocked over differing interests and perceptions.

Earth Matters mediates disputes from all sectors – utilities, the chemicals industry, agriculture, waste management, traditional and renewable energy, residential and industrial development, mining, engineering and construction. It assists in water-related disputes, general environmental disputes and environmental-impact assessment and associated application disputes.

Earth Matters controls the process of mediation and facilitates both parties in arriving at a consensual solution. It finds common ground based on identifying needs. The mediation is confidential. The solution may be recorded in a binding agreement that can be acted on. Common areas requiring mediation are unwrapping administrative bureaucracy, moving opponents from hardened positions and understanding competing rights.

The company also offers its expertise in negotiation, drafting appropriate public statements, policy and mission statements, engagement with authorities, and project management of approvals and projects.

The company is wholly owned by Armstrong. She has an accredited panel of independent specialists in specific fields, including planning, chemical engineering, civil engineering, waste management, ecology, geomorphology, estuarine environments, cellular technology, solar technology, residential developments, commercial developments, industrial developments and mining.

Armstrong oversaw the first renewable-energy photovoltaic solar programme of 75 MW to be connected to the national grid under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Earth Matters’ registered office is in Durban, but the services are available nationwide and outside South Africa’s borders.