Digby Wells Environmental has partnered with the YES Programme, a collaborative initiative dedicated to tackling and minimizing youth unemployment in South Africa.

In harmony with the YES programme’s objective of linking youth to economic opportunities, Digby Wells Environmental exemplifies its commitment to CARE by fostering a genuine interest in the lives and success of others.

Qualified participants in this program will benefit from a 12-month work experience, coupled with numerous learning opportunities.

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Digby Wells Environmental Executive Sustainability Services, Sarah Cooper collaborated with industry experts including Senior Executive for Sustainability and ESG at Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited Melanie Naidoo-Vermaak, COO at the Industrial Development Corporation, Joanne Bate, Ravi Naidoo, CEO of the Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa, Nigel Beck, Head of Sustainable Finance and ESG at RMB – Rand Merchant Bank, in the Creamer Media ESG in Mining webinar.
Together, they deliberated on the observation that mining companies were not only formulating ESG strategies, but investors and banks were also incorporating these factors into their financing decisions with the aim of fostering positive societal changes.

With over 17 years’ experience in the sector Sarah Cooper specialises in the development and implementation of pragmatic ESG strategies to meet current needs and set a path for future ambitions. Sarah Cooper has served on the World Gold Council’s ESG taskforce, and the International Mining and Metals Council’s Working Groups for Climate change and Responsible Sourcing. 

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The Botswana Women in Mining conference took place in Gaborone on November 1st and 2nd. Over the course of the conference, women who’ve made significant contributions to the mining industry came together to share their experiences and insights.

This year, the Woman in Mining event organizers introduced the inaugural “Women in Mining Game Changer Awards.” The awards are aimed at celebrating and showcasing the immense hidden talent of women making waves in the sector. To honor their achievements, organizers encouraged the public to nominate individuals who had made a transformative impact in the field. The categories included:

• Outstanding Operator/Trade/Technician
• Exceptional Woman in Mining in Botswana
• Technology and Innovation
• Champion for Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Emerging Talent in Mining in Botswana
• Excellence in Health, Safety, and Environment
• Exceptional Support Services
• Mentorship Excellence

Digby Wells Environmental Country Manager, Lettie Pitlagano was awarded the Excellence in Health, Safety, and Environment.

Lettie boasts over two decades of experience in Environmental/Sustainability Management. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of aspects Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plan, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Management System implementation & auditing (ISO14001:2015), Environmental Compliance Monitoring, Legal Compliance Audit, Biodiversity Management, International standard implementation assurance (Towards Sustainable Mining, IFC), Social performance studies including social impact assessment, stakeholder plans & engagements.

Additionally, Lettie is a certified internal lead auditor and Environmental Assessment Practitioner.

Daniel Otto, COO for Southern Africa and Botswana comments “Lettie is an invaluable asset to our team. Her commitment to excellence and genuine desire to Make A is consistently demonstrated.  We look forward to many more years of service to the Botswana and African mining sector”.

Congratulations Lettie on this remarkable achievement.

The importance of addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues is increasing in the mining space. Climate change, decarbonisation, resource scarcity and social responsibility are all key trends that are shaping the industry.

Be part of the Creamer Media webinar featuring Digby Wells Environmental Executive Sustainability Services & Business Development, Sarah Cooper, a member of the panel of experts.

Together, they will delve into the topic of ESG within the South African mining industry and share valuable insights gained from their experiences.

Register to attend: Registration Link

Africa Institute, in collaboration with KemI and attended by Digby Wells Environmental Director, Lucy Stevens, conducted a series of workshops in 2021 and February 2023 to address the responsible management of chemicals in Africa. The workshops focused on:
– Managing chemical risks; and
– Enhancing the institutional framework for sound chemical management.

These workshops played a pivotal role in enabling participating African countries to enhance their capacity for environmentally sound chemical handling and advancement towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Building on the success of these workshops, the Africa Institute in collaboration with KemI and Digby Wells Environmental will facilitate a further workshop with a focus on advancing legislative frameworks.