Sustainable development for natural resources, social and environmental responsibility, in South Sudan
By John Deng Ateny, Perth, Western Australia
September 10, 2016 (SSB) — Natural Resources are geological occurrence under earth crust with intrinsic economic interest. After extensive exploration, these occurrences may be converted to measured or indicated Ore or Petroleum Reserve that can be exploited for economic benefits.
Resources exploitation comes with huge responsibilities; they must be extracted to equitably satisfy the need of the present generation as well as that of the future generations. In addition, natural resources must be exploited responsibly, their extraction must not be detrimental to the environment. Since the middle of twentieth century, the environmental campaign, scientific research and the resource related literature prompted strong legislation in industrialised world.
Unless the local communities are engaged and supportive of oil/mineral production in the area, opposition and confrontation may ensue. Oil Corporation needs ‘social licence to operate’. Close engagement of the local community is vital to the successful mining or petroleum extraction. The main stakeholders in sustainable resource extraction are local community, national, state and local governments and the oil/mining firms. The three stakeholders must be consulted and included in all level of decision making. The downside of the resource endowment must be responsibly managed and well legislated in order to enjoy the benefits it brings.
This article is intended to inform both citizens as well as policy makers in South Sudan about the potential benefits as well as inevitable side effects of uncontrolled resource extraction in the young nation. It is an attempt to highlight and the need to create awareness among law makers to swiftly enact laws to legislate the sector before it is too late.
Resource extraction is increasingly becoming a global business. That is to say, their occurrence in South Sudan, may not deter some developed nation(s) from yearning to exploit them. Foreign nations as well as multinational corporations feel entitle to resources across the geographical borders. For this reasons, some important but high level information may not be covered in this paper.
In her message for Minister, in 2014-2015 Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Annual Report, Honourable Shannon Philips said, “Alberta is a beautiful Province. The clean air, pristine lakes and rivers, sweeping landscapes and abundant wildlife we enjoy today will be among our greatest gifts to future generations. Today, the environment is ours to protect and preserve. This are responsibility my ministry, Alberta Environment and Park, shares with all Albertans.” The minister is inclusive in her message. She entrusted the public with responsibility of protecting and preserving the environment.
In case of South Sudan, it is not only the physical environment and biodiversity that are at stake, the land with sunk production wells and hosting exploration equipment once supported robust agricultural sector. Governments, Petroleum corporations and local communities must integrate the two sectors in the land. This will be the most efficient way of utilising the land. It also incumbent upon the citizens to protect and preserve the resources, including, land, water, air, wildlife, mineral resources, local communities and the environment for the future generations.
Australia has successfully adopted Economic Integration Policy. Pilbara, Western Australia is renowned for its Iron Ore formation, among other resources. However, mining has not monopolised the land use in this region. The countless number of mines with infrastructures worth billions share land with local cattle stations. Well before Iron discovery in Pilbara, the region was well known for cattle stations (cattle husbandry). This practice is not impacted after the discovery of iron ore. Cattles still move freely across mine tenements. The businesses co-exist, provide employment and contributes to government coffers through exports and tenure funds.
The same can be true for South Sudan. Current oil production land once supported mix farming, source of clean water, fisheries, wildlife migration route and other form of ecological system. Enactment of policies favouring economic integration in South Sudan will not only maximise the land use but also create employment, generate revenue and promote subsidiary businesses. It is essential to know that Life of Mine (LOM) or period of resource extraction is limited; define in decades, with only a few clocking a century operation mark. But Agriculture colonises the land for the rest of human’s life.
The European Union Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resource, laments the rate in which the industrialised nations are exerting pressure on natural resources. Strategy advises its member-states to curb the consumption of carbon base resource to afford the future generations and the developing nations a chance to have access to their fair share of the scarce resources. It has also pointed out the impact the current rate has on the environment carrying capacity.
Although many country has Resource base economies, Australia has developed more robust legislation to govern the Industry. Even state governments have strong branch; Department for Mining and Petroleum (DMP) that monitor the Industry. There is a wealth of Knowledge, skills, rules and regulations from which young and developing nations such as South Sudan could benefit, but this is beyond the scope of this paper.
In conclusion, sustainable development in petroleum and mineral projects should be financially profitable, technically appropriate, environmentally sound and socially responsible. Unless the operation is profitable, it cannot be sustainable. Economically, the goal for the operation is to responsibly generate long term profits. This will also maximise the equitable benefits to all stakeholders. Resources professionals, including engineers, geologists and metallurgists must collaborate to efficiently optimise resource extraction.
Lack of efficient resource management leads to ‘cherry picking’; high grading or unsustainable depletion of deep/high quality wells in the hand of foreign multinationals or profit driven businesses. Unless steps are taken in planning, operation and closing of operations to protect and preserve environment, long-term liabilities may ensue. There are plethora of environmental issues i.e. ground disturbance, acid drainage, noise, air and water pollutions, hydrocarbon spillage, among others.
Finally, all operations need ‘social licence to operate.’ The local community must be on board for peaceful exploitation of local resources. Companies takes various initiatives including preferential employment of locals, trainings and provision of other skills to maintain their social licence.
John Deng Ateny is a practicing Geologist with over ten years Industry experience, He recently developed interest in Industry related Legislations and Sustainable Development in Mining. John lives in Perth Western Australia. He can be reached on jateny@gmail.com
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