Mark McHenry

This paper presents a broad assessment of the energy production potential available from solid organic wastes when treated with anaerobic digestion in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Energy production potentials were estimated by calculating the methane (CH4) production potential based on data from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), studies done in urban centres on the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), livestock manure, livestock food waste, crop residues normally burned, and crop primary equivalent waste. The total CH4 production potential of organic solid wastes in SSA was estimated to be 12.8 billion m3/yr, equivalent to 133 million GWh/yr of heat energy. Given that current domestic biogas programmes in SSA focus on cattle manure as the main feedstock, the large energy production potential from other organic waste streams highlights the opportunity to improve waste management practices through harnessing these abundant waste resources in biogas systems.

Perhaps more than ever our survival as a species is dependent on our collective problem solving ability. Our ability to thrive requires creativity and innovation to seize some amazing opportunities. In both cases - solving problems and seizing opportunities - two heads are better than one. There is empirical data to support this. In both journals, Nature and Science, there is a positive correlation between multiple authorship (a proxy measure for collaboration) and impact of the research. If we are to truly strengthen partnerships in research and higher education it is imperative to understand what is effective collaboration and how it can be nurtured within and between institutions and to what end(s). Murdoch University, an international research university based in Western Australia, has emerged as an institution with a hub of interdisciplinary collaborative activity committed to innovation and quality higher education at a world-leading level. Our successful strategic international partnerships bring together the best minds and enable the sharing and dissemination of knowledge, information, and expertise. Through some specific examples including a work-in-progress case study on the nexus between mining and agriculture in rural and regional Africa under examination by members of Murdoch’s Africa Research Group, we will examine the ingredients necessary for producing high impact research, and how partnerships forged out of mutual respect and a genuine desire to achieve results can create a lasting legacy for communities and make a material difference in the quality of the lives of people. The lessons learned may be useful for others who desire to strengthen partnerships in research and higher education.

The responsible management of the rehabilitation and decommissioning of mine sites and the affected environs requires an effective regulatory, policy, and financial securities framework in place. While mining jurisdictions may have confidence in the adequacy of their policy and regulatory systems, financial security mechanisms (posted by mining companies in the form of unconditional performance bonds) are often also used to minimise negative mining-related outcomes. In theory, such mining securities ensure sufficient funds are available to a government to rehabilitate mine sites in the event operators fail to meet their mine rehabilitation and closure obligations. However, four major challenges are often encountered with these mechanisms: 1) They are commonly insufficient to cover appropriate mine closure activities and environmental remediation in the case of a default; 2) Bonds are tied to individual tenements and not damages outside of the designated zone; 3) Mining companies bear significant administrative costs associated with the creation and posting of bonds, and; 4) They do not solve the problem of historical abandoned mine sites. Conventional environmental bond mechanisms also create disincentives to mining company investment (particularly small companies) and little financial benefit for governments (benefits are largely captured by the banking sector). While Western Australia has long been considered as a sophisticated and advanced mining intensive jurisdiction, as of 2011 the state environmental bond system was estimated to cover less than 25% of the total obligation of mine site rehabilitation costs that may be required. These concerns led to the creation of an innovative policy approach: the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act 2012. This paper discusses the background to the significant inefficiencies in the previous arrangements (which remain typical across the developed world), how they expose governments and mining companies to significant environmental obligations and financial challenges, and how they disincentivise mining activity. The paper also summarises how the Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) anticipates and underwrites the full closure costs for mine rehabilitation, how it is a cost-neutral source of funds for governments to remediate existing abandoned mines, and how it ‘frees up’ mining company capital. It is estimated that after only ten years the MRF will cover the full clean-up cost of even the largest mine in Western Australia should any complete default occur as a worst case scenario. The interest earned by the government on the principal MRF funds will also be available for rehabilitation and remediation of previously abandoned mines, additional environmental monitoring, and impact assessment and remediation research and development. The paper concludes with how such a system may be adaptable to the African context.

Harnessing natural resources in mining and agriculture is a key driver of economic growth, generating large government revenues and export earnings, leading to considerable investment, growth, employment, and social benefit. However, in many locales there are significant barriers to the realisation of such a vision, including the inadequate inclusion of local stakeholders. The project focuses on strategies to collaboratively leverage local agricultural and mining resource investment for mutual benefit and equity in Mozambique and Nigeria. Discussed are the project origins, rationale, and progress to date. The project is funded by the Australian Government, and collaborators include; Murdoch University, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group (AAMIG), the Crawford Fund, Obefami Awolowo University, the University of the Witwatersrand, the African Technology Policy Studies Network, the Beira Agricultural Growth Corridor (BAGC), and Andalusian Mining. The engagement of the BAGC in Mozambique is built on two years of scoping research, exploring the nexus between Mozambican agriculture and mining. The project progress and approaches include the BAGC establishment of its field project working on methodologies and partnerships between local farmers’ groups, research institutions, and commercial food exporters. In parallel, a corporate relationship between Murdoch University and Andalusian Mining, and the engagement of the Obefami Awolowo University (OAU) in south eastern Nigeria are investigating local agricultural value chains as it intersects with the mining industry needs. Research and discussion includes infrastructure sharing, procurement, and local productivity improvements to meet demand, and efficacy of the existing Andalusian Mining CSR engagement. Our initial research findings to date suggest that effective communication and collaboration between a diversity of multi-sectoral stakeholders can attract major positive investments into the agricultural sector.

It is now well established, for example by the International Council of Mining and Metals, that mine closure planning should be considered from the outset of mining planning and approval, and that this should involve relevant stakeholders to agree upon post-mining land-uses. This has been precipitated by situations where governments have been left with clean up obligations following mine closure. Recent innovations in legislation and regulations for mine closure planning in Western Australia are being evaluated for potential adaptation and application to five African countries. Western Australia has a sophisticated mining sector with respect to regulation and regulator capacity, and the purpose of this research is to showcase the Western Australian approach, and invite discussion on possible applications elsewhere. Whilst our Australian Government funded research specifically targets South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, we are keen to explore implications for other countries where mine closure remains an abiding issue. A key observation from the cooperative governance approach employed in Western Australia between various agencies responsible for mining and environmental regulation and operators is central to the effectiveness of mine closure planning. Early consideration forces both the regulators and operators alike to justify their respective closure requirements; the details of which are reflected in approval conditions for the mining operation. This brings the mine planning phase to a head regarding the likely feasibility of planned closure and post-mining land-use activities. In this manner, the likelihood of legacy problems associated with unexpected abandonment or premature mine closure is minimised, relative to former practices where the mine planning process was essentially left unresolved. In short, the closure requirements become more realistic with this early, consultative and progressing comprehensive mine-closure planning framework in place, with potential scope for adaptive management and numerous creative options for positive post-mining legacies woven into the local socio-economic fabric.

This research investigates the use of modern lighting technology in use for artisanal light fishing for omena/dagaa/mukene (Rastrineobola argentea) on Lake Victoria in Kenya. Technical system simulations, analysis of field data, economic modelling, and peer-review literature indicates that there is a clear economic rationale for small-scale stand-alone photovoltaic-based battery charging for new light emitting diode (LED) lighting technology to displace existing pressurised kerosene lamp technology, and that implementation of even an unsubsidised custom light fishing system design can deliver a substantial reduction in fishing costs. In addition, our research suggests that new lighting technology designs can more efficiently attract targeted fish species and potentially reduce bycatch of endangered cichlid species. Furthermore, our initial research findings elucidate numerous external benefits of the new system: new LED lighting systems can be locally designed and assembled, creating a new local service industry; cost-effective photovoltaic-battery- LED designs can be used in the household during the day/evening (in contrast to existing fishing lighting technology); the proposed technology reduces other major costs of fishing, such as travel to obtain existing fuels/energy; the technology is zero emissions at point of use; is healthier and safer to operate; can eliminate environmental (kerosene) pollution; increases local energy security, and; enable fishers to own a fishing asset with lasting value, potentially of use as collateral to utilise credit services over time.

This paper summarises the outcomes of a project entitled: ‘Climate Change in South West Estuarine and Inland Fisheries: What are the Potential Impacts and are we ready for them?’ The objectives of the project were to: • Raise understanding of how climate change will impact on the communities associated with South West estuarine and inland fisheries. • Develop a set of agreed and collaborative strategies on how best to respond to these potential impacts. • Report these strategies to relevant agencies/funding bodies/stakeholders. • Develop a generic consultative methodology, which can be transferred to other primary production/ regional sectors.