Social Responsibility

Teamed with ENAMCO, Eritrea's National Mining Corporation, Nevsun Resources is advancing the Bisha Project into a successful and sustainable development. In order to achieve these objectives, focus is directed towards bringing tangible benefits to the local population. The impact of the Bisha Project is significant to the Eritrean economy which brings about the opportunity for training, employment, community support, physiological advances and improved infrastructure.

The full development of Eritrea's resources is hindered by the limited availability of certain basic services including water, education, health, poor infrastructure and limited housing. Against this background, the population has a relatively young structure and is engaged in the slow process of economic development following a long period of social and economic unrest.

The Company has embarked on a number of programs with the community and the local, regional and central government to ensure that the benefits of the Bisha project are widespread and that the community is fully and properly engaged in the development process. The philosophy of the central government is to ensure the entire country benefits from resource development and to ensure no one particular region is the recipient of disproportionate benefits.

Employment and Training

At full operations, Bisha will directly and indirectly employ over 2,000 individuals (including contractors). This engagement furthers local and regional businesses, while the Company remains committed to sourcing goods and services from national and local suppliers. The increased purchasing power of employees is expected to stimulate other locales as the country's money supply increases. The multiplier effect from mine development and operations will be significant.

Nevsun and its contractors have established a priority in hiring Eritrean nationals. Direct jobs during construction and operations are clearly advertised and preference is given to local employment. Where sufficient skills do not exist, the Company provides vocational training at the worksite and in the adjacent community - Mogoraib. Despite the emphasis on local employment, some expatriate specialists are still required to perform a number of specific skills which are currently unavailable in country. These specialists will train local personnel with the intention to eventually replace the expatriates and independently sustain operations. Resources and facilities will also be made available to assist qualified women who wish to work on the Bisha project; the balance of gender employment is important throughout management's plans.

The Company has established its wage levels (and that of main contractors) with consideration for the regional and national labour market.

Community Engagement

Nevsun is particularly committed to building relations with the five nearby villages located within 30 kilometers of the Project. Since the beginning of 2004, the goal has been to ensure adequate information is provided to affected people in a timely manner, particularly among local communities near the Bisha Mine.

Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) have been appointed in all 5 villages with an Information Update Committee (IUC) to provide monthly updates on the project. This forum fosters open communication between the stakeholders and enables issues to be addressed and resolved proactively.

Community Assistance Plan

As a part of Bisha's Social and Environmental Assessment, direct consultation and investigations have highlighted a range of socio-economic conditions that demonstrate the current needs of local communities. Much of the public and social infrastructure, such as schools and health clinics, consist of basic buildings and equipment. Clean water supply and sanitation facilities are lacking in many areas.

The Company developed a Community Assistance Plan (CAP), a program designed to address the development opportunities identified by the community while benefitting the development and operation of the Project. The CAP will contribute beyond direct mining activities, and provide the basis for enhancement of social and economic well-being amongst the host communities in which the company operates.

The Community Assistance Plan will provide materials and technical expertise for a number of infrastructure projects, including:

  • Enhanced local transportation routes
  • Improved sanitation facilities
  • Increased supply of safe drinking water
  • Improved wells, piping, and diversion channels

Cultural Heritage Preservation

A comprehensive archaeological field program was conducted for the Bisha project area and surrounds by experts from the National Museum of Eritrea. Three separate filed surveys were conducted in local and regional study areas during 2004, 2005 and 2006 and ongoing surveys are conducted under the Project's Chance Finds procedure.

The Company has been working closely with the community of Mogoraib, local authorities and the National Museum to protect the cultural heritage of the area and recover artefacts and other materials. A range of artefacts have already been collected as part of clearance activities and the local community has expressed a desire to establish a local museum to house the locally significant artefacts. The Company has committed to participate in the funding of the local museum to be located in Mogoraib.

Infrastructure

The construction of roads and other infrastructure which results from the development of the project will have a positive effect on the local and regional area. Specific infrastructure improvements and upgrades will better the existing road between the Bisha mine site and the town of Agordat.

In addition, specific works are being undertaken to community water supply systems (e.g. wells, piping, diversion channels) through the project's Community Assistance Plan.

Population & Migration Flux

During construction and operation, the population in the local area and region is expected to grow. The Company is committed to providing adequate employee accommodation that minimizes disruption to nearby villages. As such, a permanent camp complex for over 300 workers has been built by the project for construction activities. This same camp complex will thereafter be utilised for the operations personnel.

The Company proactively communicates with local, regional and national candidates regarding potential job opportunities, required skills and hiring practices.

Public Health & Safety

The Company proactively manages the impact of Bisha's development by:

  • Providing medical services at the mine site clinic
  • Implementing healthy lifestyles campaigns for workers
  • Providing health checkups and other relevant medical testing
  • Establishing a community-focused health and safety awareness facility within each of the five key villages

The above has been implemented to help offset potential health conditions of workers and their families from causes such as stress, smoking, alcohol abuse, infectious diseases and work-related hazards. The increase in communicable diseases in mining communities as an effect of project-related migration and the influx of personnel is well established in research. Consequently, the Company will take all precautionary steps and work closely with the regional health authorities to ensure health considerations are maintained and community awareness programs endure.

The project will result in an increase in certain hazards to the public safety from traffic particularly in the immediate vicinity of the Project. Additionally the transport of large loads and certain hazardous materials are cause for careful planning and management. Transportation occurs along a direct route from the port of Massawa to the site via the capital Asmara. Specific plans are established to manage emergencies and consultation programs will be implemented as a part of the plans via a public traffic hazard communication program.

While emergency situations from the project that could have an effect on the public are unlikely, emergency response plans have been developed to include consultative measures to prepare communities on how to respond to an incident at the site or on the road.