“The mission was to design and implement a tailor-made stakeholder engagement strategy, validated by the CEO, CFO and COO. The objective was to optimize the progress and management of a major early-stage potash mining project in the emerging mining sector of the Republic of Congo.
Context:
Target: Stakeholders of the Kola Project for potash mining operations in the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
Requester: Kore Potash, a mining company listed on the AIM, ASX, and JSE stock exchanges, specializes in potash extraction in the Kouilou Department, Madingo-Kayes District, Republic of Congo.
Sector: Greenfield mining operation
Challenge: Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement strategy for the Sintoukola Potash project in Congo to ensure local community buy-in, minimize conflicts, and facilitate smooth operations for the local team in a complex environment.
Solution provided:
Tailor-made engagement strategy:
Development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement strategy adapted to the specificities of the local context.
Optimization of bilingual communication (French/English), which led to a demonstrated increase in community listening and a major increase in stakeholder and authority satisfaction within a few months.
Mediation and conflict reduction:
Design and implementation of effective mediation strategies , reducing major relational conflicts on the ground and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including national staff, indigenous leaders and government entities.
Proactive risk management:
Conducting bi-weekly risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential issues, ensuring uninterrupted continuity of day-to-day project operations and conducting EPC contract negotiations with stakeholders.
Organizational restructuring:
Close collaboration with executive management to optimize the organizational structure in place, improving the fluidity and efficiency of teams and consolidating trust with Congolese colleagues.
Strategic leadership:
Recognition by the CEO , who supported my promotion as Country Manager, subject to validation of project financing.
Result :
Measured impact
Growing participation
community and satisfaction heard from key project stakeholders.Halving conflicts
through adapted mediation strategies.Significant increase in intra-team organizational efficiency of the project in the field.
Other benefits
Strengthening relationships with local and government stakeholders.
Based on lasting trust and smooth communication with stakeholders.
Guarantee of optimal operational continuity on a complex mining project.
Key lesson:
This mission highlights the importance of a stakeholder engagement strategy
stakeholders well designed and adapted to local realities to ensure the success of a project
industrial in a complex environment. It also highlights the value of proactive risk management, effective communication and strategic leadership to build lasting relationships and strengthen operational success.
