Digby Wells Environmental, Author at Digby Wells

Celebrating 30 Years of delivering Sustainable Solutions

by Digby Wells Environmental | Jan 30, 2025 | News

As we celebrate 30 years of Digby Wells Environmental, we reflect with immense gratitude on the partnerships that have defined our journey. From our beginnings in 1995, fuelled by ambition and a vision to make a meaningful impact, to our current standing as a trusted leader in environmental consulting, this milestone is a testament to the collaborative spirit we share with you.

Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: to make a difference by integrating environmental responsibility into business operations in a way that mitigates risk, adds value, and drives sustainable growth. Over the years, we have had the privilege of working alongside our clients, offering solutions that have shaped both individual operations and the wider industry, improving lives across nearly 5,300 projects in 78 countries.

We fondly remember our co-founder Digby Wells, whose tragic passing in 1996 left an indelible mark on us. His legacy continues to inspire our work, and his vision for responsible environmental stewardship lives on in everything we do.

Over the past 30 years, we have learned that true success comes not from selling services but from building partnerships grounded in shared values and mutual trust. Your commitment to responsible business practices has enabled us to innovate, grow, and continuously raise the bar.

As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunities ahead – from expanding our global footprint to advancing new sustainability solutions that meet the evolving needs of our world. We remain dedicated to our mission of making a difference and to supporting your success at every step.

Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to continuing our journey together and creating a lasting impact for generations to come.

With appreciation,

Graham Trusler Chief Executive Officer, Digby Wells Environmental

Measuring What Matters: The Digby Wells Impact Report

by Digby Wells Environmental | Dec 17, 2024 | News

What does it mean to make a difference? At Digby Wells Environmental, it’s about creating meaningful change through our work each day—and we’re proud of the impact we make.

Our latest Impact Report highlights how our initiatives, projects, and partnerships drive sustainable and responsible outcomes—whether by protecting natural capital, empowering communities, breaking down barriers, or integrating sustainability into day-to-day decision-making. This is the difference we are proud to measure.

View Our Impact Report

Celebrating Transformation: Digby Wells Maintains Level 1 BBBEE

by Digby Wells Environmental | Dec 12, 2024 | News

Johannesburg, South Africa, 13 December 2024 – Digby Wells Environmental, a trusted partner in providing Environmental and Social Solutions to the resources industry, proudly announces that it has maintained its Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) status. This significant milestone reflects the company’s unwavering dedication to promoting economic transformation, inclusivity, and social progress in South Africa.

A Testament to Commitment

Achieving and maintaining a Level 1 BBBEE status underscores Digby Wells’ commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and empowerment both within the organization and across the communities it serves. This accomplishment highlights the company’s dedication to sustainable transformation and social development, aligning with its mission to Make A Difference.

Excellence in Empowerment

The Level 1 BBBEE rating showcases Digby Wells’ excellence across various empowerment pillars, including:

Ownership and Management Control: Enhancing diversity and representation at all levels.
Skills Development: Investing in training and upskilling employees to unlock potential.
Enterprise and Supplier Development: Supporting local businesses to grow and thrive.
Socioeconomic Development: Driving initiatives that create meaningful impact for communities.

This achievement is a collective success, made possible through the collaboration of Digby Wells’ leadership, employees, partners, and stakeholders, all working together towards shared goals. Clients who select Digby Wells Environmental as their preferred partner continue to secure 135% procurement recognition.

A Message from Leadership

“Achieving and maintaining our Level 1 BBBEE status is a proud moment that highlights our steadfast commitment to South Africa’s transformation journey,” says Graham Trusler , CEO of Digby Wells Environmental. This accomplishment reflects our dedication to creating opportunities, driving meaningful change, and uplifting historically disadvantaged communities.

Digby Wells Environmental Country Manager South Africa, Mashudu Rafundisani comments “As we celebrate this milestone, Digby Wells reaffirms its focus on enhancing BBBEE initiatives and fostering positive change in the communities we serve. This achievement lays a solid foundation for continued growth, transformation, and empowerment in the years ahead”.

Gratitude and Forward Momentum

Digby Wells extends its gratitude to its employees, partners, customers, and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to this success. Together, the company looks forward to building on this foundation, embracing new opportunities, and continuing to Make A Difference.

For more information about Digby Wells Environmental and its BBBEE initiatives, meet with Digby Wells South Africa Country Manager, Mashudu Rafundisani.

info@digbywells.com

Addressing Environmental Challenges in Mining: Dig Deep Mining

by Digby Wells Environmental | Jul 15, 2024 | News

Digby Wells Environmental CEO Graham Trusler recently spoke with Dig Deep The Mining Podcast. With over 30 years of expertise in industry, Graham offered valuable insights into best environmental practices for mining companies.

In this episode, they discussed:

Graham’s career journey and his specialization in environmental fields
The comprehensive services provided by Digby Wells Environmental, from exploration to rehabilitation
How mining companies can comply with international standards and regulations
The importance of engaging with local communities for sustainable development
The growing focus on sustainability reporting, electrification, and critical minerals

Watch the episode now and gain valuable insights from an industry leader! Watch the Interview.

Digby Wells Environmental Resettlement Feature Article

by Digby Wells Environmental | Jun 26, 2024 | News

We are excited to share an insightful article by Digby Wells Environmental Social Scientists Phumzile Mbatha, Jan Anton Hough (MA Sociology), and Deogratius Mushi titled “Managing Cash Compensation to Avoid Negative Consequences on Resettlement Planning.”

This piece delves into the importance of effective stakeholder engagement during resettlement initiatives to inform affected households about the program and manage their expectations regarding financial compensation. Unrealized expectations can significantly undermine the success of resettlement efforts.

With over 30 years of experience, Digby Wells Environmental specializes in developing Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) for a wide range of projects, from linear infrastructure to open-pit mines across Sub-Saharan Africa. The company has a proven track record of successfully executing resettlement projects for over 1,900 households and preparing RAPs for 236 communities within a single project.

Read Article

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Richard has completed his MBA through GIBS and is a registered Chartered Accountant with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. He has more than 15 years experience in various industries including commodity trading, mining, bulk materials handling, processing, power generation, fixed plant, agriculture, engineering and construction.

HR & Organisational Effectiveness. Kirsten has over 12 years experience in Talent management, Performance Management, Organisational Development, Remuneration and Reward, Employee Development, Health and Safety, HR Project management and Employment Equity . She has worked in a number of different industries including Financial, Call Centre, Motor and Mining. Kirsten is a certified International Global Remuneration Professional.

Mompoloki Lettie Pitlagano (Lettie) holds the position of Country Manager, Botswana. Lettie completed a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) in Biology and Environmental Science in 1998 and has been working in Environmental Management for the past twenty years. Lettie is well versed with various aspects of the Environmental Impact Assessment process ranging from the review of mandatory reports, to undertaking ecological assessment and to monitoring compliance of project’s implementation process to Environmental Management Plans. Lettie has undertaken extensive ecological research studies on vegetation including the impact of herbivores on vegetation in

Mamadou is the Country Manager for Digby Wells Enivronmental Mali. He has a Master’s degree in Socio-Anthropology from the University of Mali and a Master’s in Project Management Cycle, Development Program and Policy at DELTA-C Mali. Mamadou has over 12 years’ experience in Environmental and Social works. Mamadou joined Digby Wells in 2015. His experience is focused on the mineral industry in Mali, having worked on various projects throughout Mali. He is well versed in Malian legislation, as well as international standards, including IFC, World Bank Operation Policies. He has worked on numerous Environmental and Social Impact

Lucy Stevens, Director of Digby Wells Environmental has BA and LLB degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Masters Degree in Environmental Management from the Rand Afrikaans University, South Africa. Lucy is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and specialises in environmental law. She has ten years of experience in this field which includes undertaking environmental legal compliance audits, due diligences, legal reviews, overseeing environmental impact assessment studies and providing legal advice in both the mining and non-mining sectors throughout Africa.

Graham Trusler is one of the founding partners of the company and is the CEO of Digby Wells Environmental. He holds a MSc (Engineering) and a BCom. Degree. He is a registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He is also registered as a Chartered Chemical Engineer with the Institution of Chemical Engineers, is a member of the Water Institute of South Africa and a lifetime member of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation. Graham has 30 years of experience within the mining industry in metallurgical production, research and environmental issues.

Danie Otto is a Director and Manager of the Natural Sciences Division at Digby Wells. This includes water, air quality, rehabilitation, fauna & flora, aquatics, wetlands and soil. He holds an M.Sc in Environmental Management with B.Sc Hons (Limnology, Geomorphology, GIS and Environmental Management) and B.Sc (Botany and Geography & Environmental Management). He is a registered Professional Natural Scientist since 2002. Danie has 20 years of consulting experience within the mining industry undertaking environmental assessments and compiling Environmental, Water &; Waste Management Plans. He has wetland and geomorphology working experience across Africa including specialist environmental input into various water resource related studies. These vary from studies of the wetlands of the Kruger National Park to swamp forests in central Africa to alpine systems in Lesotho.

Duncan is currently employed at Digby Wells Environmental as the Country Manager for the London (UK) offices and Director of Digby Wells Jersey and International. Duncan has worked in many jurisdictions with a focus throughout Africa, including but not limited to South Africa, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal and Egypt. He also has experience in Turkey. Duncan has undertaken linear infrastructure projects and numerous mining projects of various commodities.

Roger is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ international experience in mining finance, and with an honours degree in French and Spanish. After joining Randgold Resources in 1997, he was appointed Group Finance Director in 2002. Roger went on to become Chief Financial Officer of JSE-listed AECI Limited before moving to BSG Resources Limited. He has served on a number of boards in the mining and mining services sectors, including Sylvania Platinum where he has been a non-executive director since 2011, chairing the Remuneration Committee and the Audit Committee. He was appointed a non-executive director of Alecto Minerals plc in June 2017. After a number of interim roles in the last few years at Digby Wells Environmental, including acting CFO and commercial executive, he was appointed Non-Executive Director in July 2017.

Nombini is the Non-Executive Director of Digby Wells Environmental, and Managing Director for Lwazi Capital, the 30% BEE shareholder to Digby Wells Environmental. Prior to this, Nombini held the position of International Manager: Social Performance for Anglo American plc., her responsibilities included working with operations in South Africa, Latin America and Australia. Before that Nombini was the Head of Investor Relations for the Sage Group, a financial services company. Nombini started her career in advertising and went on to hold executive marketing and communications roles at WIPHOLD and Umsobomvu Youth Fund. Nombini completed her BA Honours Political science degree in 1995, and has since completed a range of additional qualifications including that of General Management (Harvard Business School), Investment Decisions Associated with Mining (Imperial College, London), Advanced Social Management Programme for Anglo American Executives (Cambridge University jointly with the University of Queensland), Management Advancement Programme and Certificate Programme in Accounting and Finance (Wits Business school).

Jeff Leaver is the Non-Executive Chairman of Digby Wells Environmental. He holds an Honours Degree in Social Science from the University of Natal, as well as various Management qualifications. Jeff entered the mining industry in 1983, joining the Anglo American Corporation Gold Division. He progressed through Anglo American and De Beers ending as Head of Human Resources for De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited. Following his departure from De Beers in 2006 Jeff consulted to a number of government departments and worked on several strategic and general management assignments for various diamond and gold companies. This included a two year assignment in Indonesia as the General Manager of a diamond mine. Until mid-2017 Jeff was the Chief Operating Officer of Letšeng Diamonds in Lesotho, a subsidiary of Gem Diamonds, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Jeff is currently the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Letšeng.