Exploration Geologists: Essential Skills in Social Licence & Emergency Preparedness
Exploration now mirrors the complexities seen in Humanitarian Aid or Special Forces spheres. Managing Social Licence is pivotal for site access; in remote locations, you effectively become your own Emergency Response unit, and securing future investment increasingly hinges on robust ESG credentials.
These are your responsibilities, even if they are not in your job description. Are you confident in your approach? Are you doing enough? Are you doing it right?
Enroll NowHi there, I'm Sean Kelly. I've been working in complex environments for over 20 years. First in the military and for the last 10+ years in the commercial space, particularly extractives. Early on I noticed that most of the security problems I was called on to solve originated from three sources: local political dynamics, sustainability issues and corporate behaviour. “Crisis & security” is what it looked like when things were left too late.
In complex environments, certainty is hubris, and while there is no formula for success, I believe you can greatly improve your chances by doing the basics well. The problem is that few are ever shown the basics, let alone how and when they fit together.
I must admit that I feel I've often wasted time needlessly re-inventing the wheel. So, here is my course - built on the shoulder of giants, spliced with my own two cents worth.
Our discussions with practitioners uncovered common frustrations:
- Uncharted Responsibilities: Tackling complex tasks that go beyond your formal training, impacting your confidence and job security.
- Self-Help Limitation: Depending heavily on self-taught methods and informal learning, often leading to doubt and inconsistency in your practices.
- No Safety Net: Lack of a clear Emergency Response Plan (ERP) leaves you holding the baby, and you're acutely aware that no special forces are coming to the rescue.
- Resource Constraints: Budget limitations restrict access to specialist expertise, increasing your workload and decision-making pressure.
- Information Paralysis: Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of online resources, making it challenging to identify credible, useful information.
- Uncertainty in Decision-Making: Regularly facing escalating issues without sufficient knowledge for confident decision-making or holding responsible parties accountable.
- Improvisation Fatigue: Continuously having to improvise solutions, often without a structured framework, leading to both frustration and inefficiency.
You’re not alone.
Like many exploration professionals, you find yourself navigating a complex landscape, doing the best you can with the tools you’ve got. Now, imagine a path that brings a little clarity and structure to the inherent uncertainty of above-ground operations.
We’ve blended best practices from cross-functional domains, ensuring alignment with top-tier industry guidance and expert advice. Our team has combined our extensive experiences with the invaluable lessons learned by seasoned explorers.
The transformation?
Safe Work in Tricky Locations
Soft Skills for Complex Situations
Blueprint for Social Licence
Introducing...
Module 1: Introduction to Community Engagement in Exploration Geology
Community engagement is an integral aspect of exploration geology, often forming a 'hidden' part of the geologist's role. This module introduces foundational concepts, frameworks and models to navigate complex operational environments.
- Establishing the Basics of Community Engagement
- Concepts & Terminology
- Models for Operating in Complex Environments
- Analysis Framework for Corporate-Community Relations
- The Unstated Role of the Geologist in Social Performance
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Unstated Responsibilities
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Module 2: Integration of Non-Technical Aspects in Pre-Departure Planning
This module aims to bridge the gap between technical studies and non-technical preparation for exploration teams. It focuses on embedding crucial insights and skills for comprehensive area analysis and risk assessment, integrating them from the start. The objective is to construct a solid foundation for project operations by ensuring thorough area intelligence and holistic risk management.
- Intelligence Preparation of Operational Area
- Area of Influence
- Community Asset Mapping
- Exclusion Areas
- Stakeholder Mapping
- Risk & Impact Assessment
- Objective-Centric Risk and Certainty Management
- Issues & Flashpoints
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Development
Module 3: Preparation for Engagement and Self-Reliance in Complex Environments
This module prepares exploration teams for operating in areas with potential social unrest and limited emergency services. It focuses on critical safety, security, and initial engagement strategies, emphasising the importance of self-reliance and informed decision-making for a secure start to exploration projects.
- Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Incident Management & Reporting
- Evacuation and Relocation
- Travel & Movement Security
- Security on Arrival
- Vehicles and Security on the Road
- Road Travel: Incident Preparedness and Response
- Engagement Preparation
- Briefing Pack
- Initial Meetings
Module 4: Fundamentals of Rapport and Process First in Exploration
This objective teaches geologists the essentials of establishing rapport with local communities and understanding their processes before advancing exploration activities. It aims to promote effective community relations and successful operational integration from the start.
- Starting with Rapport: Initial Engagements for Rapid Orientation and Relationship Building
- The Foundations of Engagement
- Trust Makers / Trust Breakers
- Working with Interpreters
- Who and Where to Meet
- Formal Closed Meetings
- Techniques for Community / Town Hall Meetings
- Engage to Learn: Adaptive SOP Development
- Utilising Informal Interactions and Advisory Groups
- Information Sharing & Expectation Management
- Local resource management and conflict resolution systems
- Land Access and Compensation Awareness
- Local Employment & Procurement
- Environment, Health, and Legacy Exploration
Module 5: Site Exploration & Conflict Management
Centred on the principle that on-ground operations and interactions are key sources of conflict, this objective focuses on land access good practice, hyper-local stakeholder engagement, and conflict-sensitive planning to foster cooperative relations and manage potential disputes effectively.
- Land Access for On-ground Exploration
- Land Access Process
- Addressing Flashpoints
- Site Access Consultation & Engagement
- Hyper-local Stakeholder Engagement
- Conflict Sensitive Planning
- Negotiation Skills
- Commitments & Expectation Management
- Conflict Prevention & Response
Module 6: Leadership, Management, and Administration Skills for Social Performance in Exploration
This objective addresses the need for geologists to assume leadership roles, with a focus on the link between leadership approach and stakeholder relations. It covers various styles and their impact on community relations, management of complex environments, and key administrative aspects.
- Leadership is Just Plain You
- Leadership Styles
- Building Effective Team Culture
- Leadership Without Formal Authority
- Above-ground Management in Complex Environments
- Common Management Issues
- Assumption Testing
- Social Performance Indicators
- Engagement Plans
- Incident Management
- Grievance Management
- Efficient Administration in Exploration
- Policies & Plans
- Time Value of Information
- Travel Management
- Hiring & Procurement
- Incident Management
- Local Compliance
Module 7: Navigating Departure and Managing Expectations
The inherent uncertainty in mineral exploration means project progression, ownership changes, and operational cessation can be unexpected for local communities. Effectively managing these transitions is crucial for maintaining positive relations and leaving a lasting good impression, pivotal for the project's future and the broader reputation of the mining industry.
- Effective Departure Strategies for Sustainable Relationships
- Transparent Communication with Local Communities
- Support for Local Workers and Contractors
- Collaboration with Local Authorities
Money Back Guarantee
We've packed a lot into this course because we believe that you need to know a set of fundamentals before doing this type of work in complex environments. Without it not only is the project at risk but you could seriously jeopardise your personal safety.
We know that you won't necessarily be an 'expert' after this course, and that it can't guarantee real-world outcomes. But we're confident that this course will give you the foundations to perform to international best practices.
However, if you don't feel you've benefited from the course, we offer a 60 day money back guarantee - no questions asked... well perhaps a few questions because we'd be really interested in improving.
