Dhamana, Nominee for Established ESG Leader for a Services Provider, 2024 Africa Award

About the Nominee & their Nomination

In the heart of Malawi, where mineral wealth meets vibrant communities, Dhamana Consulting is redefining how mining projects approach environmental and social responsibility. This Perth-based boutique consultancy has earned its nomination for the Established ESG Leader Award through its innovative work on the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project.

Dhamana specialises in guiding Australian junior mining companies through the complexities of project development in Africa. Their approach to the Kasiya Project demonstrates a commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations from the earliest stages of planning.

Initiative: Incorporating Best Practice ESG Tools in Planning and Scoping the Kasiya Project

At the core of Dhamana’s innovation is their development of a GIS-based environmental and social mapping solution. This powerful tool allowed the project team to visualise and analyse sensitive areas before finalising the site layout. By conducting a comprehensive sensitivity analysis, Dhamana enabled informed decision-making that prioritised the protection of local communities and ecosystems.

The impact of this approach is significant:

• Project design was optimised to avoid sensitive environmental areas and minimise community displacement.
• The need for physical resettlement was significantly reduced, preserving local social structures.
• Compliance with both Malawian regulations and international standards, including the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards, was enhanced.
• Resource efficiency was improved by better defining areas requiring detailed future surveys.

Dhamana’s approach effectively incorporated a range of crucial ESG topics into the planning process, including biodiversity, water and resource use, soil and land capability, community impacts, and cultural heritage. This comprehensive consideration of ESG factors sets a new standard for responsible project development.

Dhamana’s commitment to responsible development extended beyond technological solutions. They collaborated with local Malawian consultants to engage community leadership, ensuring that local voices were integrated into the planning process. This approach not only respected cultural heritage but also laid the groundwork for positive community relations throughout the project’s lifecycle.

In an industry often scrutinised for its environmental and social impacts, Dhamana Consulting is demonstrating that mining projects can be developed with foresight and responsibility. Their work at the Kasiya Project showcases how innovative tools and methodologies can align economic opportunities with environmental stewardship and community well-being.

As the mining sector in Africa continues to evolve, Dhamana’s approach serves as a model for integrating ESG principles into project planning. They’re not just fulfilling regulatory requirements; they’re setting a new standard for how mining projects can contribute positively to sustainable development in Africa.