Investigating social license to operate and pacification associated with the heavy sand mining at Fairbreeze, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Date
2023
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Abstract
Extractivism is a term associated with the extraction and export of resources extracted from the Earth’s
surface, that open doors for economic opportunities and job creation. The extraction of sand and heavy
minerals has been occurring since ancient times, affecting both developing and developed countries.
Heavy Sand Mining (HSM) is a form of extractivism, which results from the excavation and processing
of minerals such as titanium and ilmenite and is utilized in many major industries. In a South African
context, there are several examples where mining company operations within communities and fragile
ecosystems are contested. and exhibit a weak ‘Social Licence to Operate’. Even though formal rights
to mine may be granted, social consent on the part of affected communities can remain in question.
While this fact is acknowledged, there is little research in South Africa on how diverse stakeholders,
including mining houses and adjacent community groupings, navigate and contest the Social Licence
to Operate, over the inception and running of HSM activities.
The Fairbreeze mine, adjacent to the Kwazulu-Natal town of Mthunzini, South Africa has a reported
history of contestation over the inception of the mine. For the study, a qualitative methodology and case
study approach was adopted. The study aimed to investigate how stakeholder perceptions of and
relations to the mining activity changed over time, as well as he perceived environmental and social
impacts of the mine. For data collection, a questionnaire was distributed and interviews involved
interested and affected parties, including community members and focus groups that were both
purposely and randomly selected. A field of study known as political ecology was utilized for the
research to politicize an understanding of the mining operation and explore the relationship between the
various stakeholders, not least adjacent communities, and the local community environment. A
conceptual framework using the two concepts of Social Licence to Operate (SLO) and Pacification was
used to analyse the evolving relationship between the mining company and other stakeholders
The results indicated that a small percentage of the population were granted employment for short
durations, while the majority of the community as a whole, did not see significant economic
improvements in their livelihoods. Some positive economic impacts were the improvement of
infrastructure and roads. Economically, the mine assisted in the economic growth of the area.
Environmentally, habitats have been affected negatively. There are however long-term plans to
rehabilitate the affected area through offsetting methods, once mining is complete. More importantly
for this thesis, I characterize the contested licensing process for the mine to have had a weak social
license to operate, and an evident process of pacification, whereby resistance to the mine was, over
time, diminished or undermined in court. The research indicated that future heavy sand mining projects
must involve a stronger social license to operate, which will assist the relationship between affected
communities. Lastly, more environmental programs should be conducted in mining-affected areas, to
ensure that skills development and sustainability remain the major focus in affected communities.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.