This article has been supplied and will be available for a limited time only on this website. Every mining company wants its Social and Labour Plan (SLP) to leave a lasting legacy. Yet too many well-intentioned projects fail to achieve their full potential because they prioritise infrastructure before building the capabilities needed to benefit from it.
"Community halls, enterprise hubs, agricultural projects and artisan training all have value," says Marco Maree, Training & Development Expert at Triple E Training. "However, none can deliver sustainable outcomes if beneficiaries lack the literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate confidently."
This challenge is becoming increasingly relevant as the mining industry shifts towards more strategic SLP planning. Many of Triple E Training's clients have achieved far greater impact by aligning investments with municipal Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), the District Development Model (DDM), mine closure planning and future regional economic opportunities. According to Maree, the emphasis is on ensuring that every investment contributes to long-term economic resilience and measurable community outcomes.
"And if that is the objective, then one critical question must be asked before any project is approved: Do communities possess the foundational skills needed to benefit from these opportunities?" he says. "This is where adult literacy and numeracy deserve far greater attention."
