Who Decides? (16-17 August 2021)A participatory learning activity at Mine Closure 2021, Mongolia

“Who Decides?”© is a virtual participatory learning activity that uses a fictional scenario to introduce participants to some of the complexities mining projects face during closure. Following a brief introduction, social performance experts facilitate breakout sessions where a range of perspectives on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are introduced to stimulate discussion and debate. The groups then reconvene in a plenary session to compare the various ideas and identify priorities for effective mine closure.
The activity is suitable for anyone with an interest in mineral exploration, mining operations or closure.

Session Facilitators

Andre Xavier is an honorary professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada with a PhD in socio-economic mine closure. He consults for the private sector and organizations such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank on issues related to the governance of the mining sector. Dr. Xavier is a Senior Manager, Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Development with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), an NGO with 50 years of experience in delivering international development projects that promote locally-driven sustainable solutions to enhance governance and drive economic growth.
Jocelyn Fraser is a social performance consultant and researcher at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Her work focuses on social risk and social responsibility in the mining sector. Dr. Fraser is particularly interested in opportunities to create shared value and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Jocelyn’s main research project is in Mongolia.
Cathryn MacCallum is an experienced socio-economist with a PhD in sustainable livelihoods and global learning. She works in the energy and mining sector to determine and manage ESG risks, and to support efforts to achieve and maintain a social licence. Much of her work is in the United Kingdom, European Union, Africa and the Middle East.
“© Who Decides was designed by Dr. Cathryn MacCallum and Dr. Jocelyn Fraser”
Sponsored by

Activity structure

  • Who Decides? starts with a short video to introduce the context of the fictitious project.
  • Participants are then grouped into breakout sessions and immersed in a scenario focussing on the closure of a fictitious mine.
  • The scenario is designed to promote discussion and debate on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of mine closure.
  • The scenario-based sessions are led by expert facilitators and use a variety of online engagement tools to facilitate dialogue and discussion.
  • Participants in each of three breaks out sessions prioritise their recommendations. The groups then come back together to agree on a set of recommendations for effective closure.
Registration is closed

For more information

cathryn@sazaniassociates.org.uk
jocelyn.fraser@ubc.ca
andre.xavier@ubc.ca