Community social-needs assessment tool

Abstract

Mining, mining modernisation, and eventual mine closure have impacts on mine communities, and an understanding of community socio-economic needs is necessary. This understanding is further important for the conceptualisation of communities that are self-sustainable beyond the closure of mines. The aim of the project was to develop a community social-needs assessment tool for potential use by gold and platinum group metal mines. The project was informed by desktop research, literature review and stakeholder engagement, and the tool was developed for use and piloted with industry partners. The assessment tool that was developed comprises of questionnaires for small, medium, and micro enterprises, community members, community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations, a notice board, and a resource library of useful information. Implementation of the tool is expected to generate an improved understanding of community socio-economic needs towards shared value creation to support environmental, social and governance agendas.