Mining sector should be sustainable, responsible
Published: 06:02 PM,Feb 20,2023 | EDITED : 10:02 PM,Feb 20,2023
The mining industry in the Sultanate of Oman has been facing resistance from the community. However, with clear-cut requirements and policies in place, the sector might see a change in mindset.
The Environment Authority is conducting a two-day workshop on environmental sustainability in the mining sector. The opening session began under the auspices of Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, on Monday morning at Sheraton Oman.
In his opening speech, Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, stressed the need to choose mining projects carefully and focus on projects with a significant economic return for the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking to the Observer, the chairman said the mining sector is one of the main economic pillars nationally and globally. Previously, the investment in the mining industry was linear and conventional due to a lack of proper thought and planning on the closure of the projects. At the same time, they were susceptible to causing pollution and hazards.
“On the other hand, the focus has to be on the objectives of national strategy – the first is achieving diversification of the economy, and the other is reaching environmental sustainability.
“To harmonise these two objectives and draw a roadmap, we have gathered here for the workshop to listen to several technical papers and learn from different experiences of experts from the international arena,” Al Amri said.
On Tuesday, the experts will be in discussion groups, and they are expected to come forward with recommendations for laws and regulations.
“The recommendations will be taken into three categories — law, regulations and procedures of protocols. This is to achieve the best-governing practices in the morning sector,” he said, adding that the sector is still conventional.
“We still need to manage to achieve sustainable development of the sector. There is a certain element of resistance from the environmental sector towards mining and society. And the oil and gas sector, there is environmental responsibility and social responsibility practised. In the mining sector, these elements are absent. The money is made, but no steps are taken to tackle environmental damage or to handle commitment towards social responsibility.” One of the expected outcomes of the workshop is to remove the blocks and streamline who should be awarded the contract for mining.
To the question when will the mindset towards the mining industry change, the EA Oman chairman said, “The mindset will change soon as it is a matter of time. If we are able to come up with clear outcomes, they can be immediately formulated into regulations, which will govern the sector.” While there is a huge potential for the mining sector, licensing has been slow and the resistance from the community has been a challenge.
“Now we want a mining sector that will be welcomed environmentally and socially,” noted Al Amri.
@lakshmioman
The Environment Authority is conducting a two-day workshop on environmental sustainability in the mining sector. The opening session began under the auspices of Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals, on Monday morning at Sheraton Oman.
In his opening speech, Dr Abdullah al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, stressed the need to choose mining projects carefully and focus on projects with a significant economic return for the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking to the Observer, the chairman said the mining sector is one of the main economic pillars nationally and globally. Previously, the investment in the mining industry was linear and conventional due to a lack of proper thought and planning on the closure of the projects. At the same time, they were susceptible to causing pollution and hazards.
“On the other hand, the focus has to be on the objectives of national strategy – the first is achieving diversification of the economy, and the other is reaching environmental sustainability.
“To harmonise these two objectives and draw a roadmap, we have gathered here for the workshop to listen to several technical papers and learn from different experiences of experts from the international arena,” Al Amri said.
On Tuesday, the experts will be in discussion groups, and they are expected to come forward with recommendations for laws and regulations.
“The recommendations will be taken into three categories — law, regulations and procedures of protocols. This is to achieve the best-governing practices in the morning sector,” he said, adding that the sector is still conventional.
“We still need to manage to achieve sustainable development of the sector. There is a certain element of resistance from the environmental sector towards mining and society. And the oil and gas sector, there is environmental responsibility and social responsibility practised. In the mining sector, these elements are absent. The money is made, but no steps are taken to tackle environmental damage or to handle commitment towards social responsibility.” One of the expected outcomes of the workshop is to remove the blocks and streamline who should be awarded the contract for mining.
To the question when will the mindset towards the mining industry change, the EA Oman chairman said, “The mindset will change soon as it is a matter of time. If we are able to come up with clear outcomes, they can be immediately formulated into regulations, which will govern the sector.” While there is a huge potential for the mining sector, licensing has been slow and the resistance from the community has been a challenge.
“Now we want a mining sector that will be welcomed environmentally and socially,” noted Al Amri.
@lakshmioman