Host mining community expectations on stakeholder engagement in the West Wits Basin, South Africa

Authors: Mpanza, M; Rupprecht, S Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_06

Cite As:
Mpanza, M & Rupprecht, S 2026, 'Host mining community expectations on stakeholder engagement in the West Wits Basin, South Africa', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-17, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_06



Abstract:
Stakeholder engagement is a critical issue in South Africa's mining sector, driven by increasing calls for transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation by host mining communities. Despite legislative frameworks such as the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRD Act), the Mining Charter, and Social and Labour Plans (SLPs), host mining communities continue to express concerns regarding the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and their involvement in decisions that affect their communities. This study evaluated the methods of stakeholder engagement employed by surrounding mining companies as perceived by the Slovoville host mining community in the West Wits Basin. It assessed the methods used by mining companies to engage the community and examined the community’s understanding, experiences, and expectations regarding the stakeholder engagement process. A mixed-methods approach that included a structured questionnaire administered to 50 community members and semi-structured qualitative interviews was utilised. The findings revealed that stakeholder engagement is often undertaken through passive communication platforms such as newspapers, company websites and social media. Many respondents considered these approaches ineffective for promoting meaningful understanding and participation. Respondents reported difficulties accessing and understanding information and had limited awareness of stakeholder engagement legislation. They preferred a face-to-face dialogue kind of engagement that allows interaction and clarification. Most felt that surrounding mining companies do not adequately understand or respond to community needs. The host mining community of Slovoville expects mining companies to not only inform them but engage them on community development projects, environmental responsibility, economic development and employment. The study concludes that improving stakeholder engagement requires communication that is more accessible, participatory, transparent and responsive to host mining community needs.

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