Local communities are characteristically peaceful without some of the major social problems encountered within larger towns and cities. It was feared that this might change with the influx of outsiders seeking employment at the mine or with associated entrepreneurial initiatives. Households have an extremely limited amount of assets. Household water security was seen as a critical issue by the villagers who were fearful that any change to water quantity and quality would imperil their livelihoods. Village settlement patterns are primarily determined by the availability of adequate water supplies and arable land.
Villages are almost totally reliant on subsistence agricultural activities.
Arable soils are limited in extent and most crop lands occur in wide, gently-sloping, alluvial basins. Some of these areas exist some distance downstream of the mine. Households rely almost exclusively on woody vegetation for their energy needs. Sheep and goats are also commonly owned by households. Livestock are not only a source of food, cash and draught power, but also play a significant role in the social system.