COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN A MISUNDERSTOOD INDUSTRY
“ IF A PERSON
DOESN ’ T WANT MINES TO BE ACTIVE THEN THEY ’ D HAVE
TO GIVE UP THEIR MOBILE PHONE , GOLD JEWELLRY AND SO MUCH MORE . IT ’ S A WEIRD WAY OF LOOKING AT IT BUT IT ’ S THE TRUTH ”
we are not there to simply create jobs and to mine the project – when that ’ s exactly what we ’ re doing . The challenge has been to communicate that we are a positive company with a positive influence on the community . We are not a bunch of bad guys .” It ’ s not just this perception that brings difficulties , but the worldwide view of mining as a whole . According to young , many people don ’ t understand the benefits the industry brings to our modern world . Young says : “ If a person doesn ’ t want mines to be active then they ’ d have to give up their mobile phone , gold jewellery and so much more . It ’ s a weird way of looking at it but it ’ s the truth . People don ’ t see this and that ’ s the reason why there is such a negative view of the industry .”
AMC are working to combat industry myths with media coverage and community engagement . Young concludes : “ Success is in the relationships . Good , transparent , positive , open clean relationships . It ’ s really important to have that trust .”
As a late stage exploration project with detailed engineering work being undertake , Kun-Manie represents one of the largest potential sulphide nickel operations in the world which could place it among the top ten nickel producing companies on an annual basis . Yet , Young insists that AMC ’ s focus is ensuring that the mine benefits the local community and busts prominent mining myths . So far , AMC has completed 5,903 metres of drilling ( about 30 percent of the planned programme ), so the advantages of Kun Manie are not yet fully formed . Watch this space .
11