This article was first published in the AusIMM Bulletin.
One of Australia’s leading mining company executives, UQ Bachelor of Engineering ('83) alumnus Sandeep Biswas, says getting social licence ‘right’ is just one of the issues the industry must address for greater success in the future.
In a world where scrutiny of mining operations is higher than ever before, Sandeep Biswas, MD and CEO of Newcrest Mining, says there has been a dramatic rise in questions about social licence.
‘[Social licence] is business critical. Expectations have changed dramatically since I started work, in relation to what local communities, stakeholders and other interested parties want – and, quite frankly, deserve – from operations in their jurisdiction.
‘More people ask me about social licence issues today, among my investors and other people I interact with, than ask about the environment.’
Sandeep, who joined Newcrest in 2014, says it is vital that the industry puts effort into earning social licence by being genuine and gaining trust through its actions.
‘Do what you say. Respect all cultures. Respect the importance they have for the land that is ultimately theirs. One day your mine will close but you should leave the community in a much better way than before you got there.
‘If you don’t do this genuinely, and don’t really believe it, people will know and they won’t respect you.’
