SDS $9215$ Assignment $1$April $23,2024$

Two mining companies; Atha$-$Africa Ventures $($Pty$)$ and Mwembeshi Resources Limited

have caused some controversy in South Africa and Zambia, respectively. These two

companies publicly expressed interest in opening mines in protected areas. Atha$-$Africa

Ventures $($Pty$)$ seeks to open a coal mine in Mabola Protected Environment near

Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga Province $($South Africa$).$ Meanwhile, Mwembeshi

Resources Limited wants to start a large$-$scale open pit copper mining project in Lower

Zambezi National Park, situated in Luangwa district, Lusaka Province. There are two

opposing voices with regards to each of these projects; on one hand, people and

organisations opposing this particular mine do so because the proposed mines would be

inside declared protected areas and strategic water source areas. It will thus threaten water

security and wild life not only in the local areas, but in the region. The other opposing

camp is deeply invested in the prospective jobs that will be created by the mines and the

improvement of the quality of life of local people.

The South African and Zambia government have decided to resolve these issues$/$

controversies through a participatory approach and to this effect, they have decided to

engage you as a professional to come up with an engagement strategy which they can use

to ensure that all people participate during the engagement process.

Task

Choose one issue $($Mabola Coal Project or South Luangwa Copper Project$)$ and develop a

Public Engagement Strategy on behalf of either the South African or Zambian government.

Use the outline below as a guide to help you develop the strategy.