PROFILE
conference , but for Gourley the conference and the model mining code launch itself represents a significant success for the organisation so early into its mission .
“ The quality of those people attending both last year and this year ’ s conference is extremely encouraging . We are looking at world leaders in resource law who are attending and engaging with the code , the conference program and the initiative in general ,” says Gourley .
The Model Mining Code , Gourley believes , is the epitome of the challenges the initiative faces when trying to articulate a position that ’ s free as possible from critique when considering what is a sensible policy and what isn ’ t .
One method of doing this is by encouraging debate , reflection and in some cases , even critique of existing mineral policies around the world .
“ This presents us with an opportunity to have some influence ultimately on the choices people are making within the industry ,” says Gourely .
This is not WIOML looking to control and govern the industry , rather to open a dialogue which allows
policy makers to ask themselves what makes a good policy that is healthy for the industry . Gourley has seen over the last 15 years that most mining codes that are adopted across the industry , particularly in Africa , have come more from a negative angle than a positive one . “ This is something that cannot continue , otherwise we won ’ t have an industry anymore ,” says Gourley . For WIOML it is not about doing
8 December 2016