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Community Engagement and Development
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Mining operations invest significant resources in becoming active members of their local communities and contributing to positive local initiatives and ongoing community development.
The industry invests millions of dollars in local communities. Some examples include:
- Financial and in-kind support for local community groups and sporting clubs, such as Barrick Gold’s support of the Lake Cowal Foundation which undertakes a range of conservation related activities
- Assistance with ensuring the provision of essential services in local communities, such as the key role of Cobar Management Pty Ltd in establishing the Cobar Health Centre Committee Inc.
- Partnering with community education organisations to deliver education initiatives, such as Mt Arthur Coal’s partnership with Hunter Life Education to deliver alcohol and drug education programs
- Providing funding for environmental education at schools, such as the NSW Minerals Council’s EnviroSmart Grants and Schoolyard Blitz events, which provide grants for environmental improvements at primary and secondary schools and in-kind support in the form of industry employees and equipment
- Supporting employees who volunteer in community groups, such as Cadia Valley’s ‘Good Onya!’ program, which donates money to community organisations for which its employees volunteer.
To ensure these initiatives are matched with the specific requirements of local communities, mines undertake extensive consultation to identify priority areas for support.
To help raise awareness of the industry and its operations, many mines host community open days. This allows the local community to see first hand some of the equipment used in mining and gain a better understanding of how mining operations work.
The industry is continually looking to improve its community engagement skills. In 2006, the NSW Minerals Council prepared a Community Engagement Handbook Towards Stronger Community Relationships. The handbook outlines the steps in developing successful community engagement strategies and is a useful resource for community practitioners in the industry. The release of the handbook was followed by a two-day community engagement course, which the NSW Minerals Council ran for the industry in 2007. The course helped to further develop the industry’s community engagement skills.
There is a range of other guidance and professional development resources available to the industry, such as the Federal Ministerial Council for Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ Principles for Engagement with Communities and Stakeholders and the Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research (ACMER) ‘Working with Communities’ training course. The industry nationally has partnered with the Australian Government, research, academic and community representatives, to develop a Community Engagement and Development handbook as part of its Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry series. Research into community engagement strategies in the industry is undertaken by the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute and the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP).
Community Development
Community development encompasses economic, social and cultural development to improve the resilience and quality of life of a community.
Many of the activities and processes outlined under Community Engagement contribute to Community Development. As with all aspects of a mining project, each operations approach and contribution to community development will be determined by local conditions and local needs.
Historically, the mining industry has generously contributed to the social infrastructure needed by a community but not provided by government.
More recently, the mining industry has moved to contribute in a more strategic and partnership approach to foster economic and social development opportunities within the community; often with non-government organisations and service providers. This approach empowers a community creating skills and capacity building independent of the mine. This approach results in sustainable community development.
Relevant Documents
NSWMC Community Engagement Handbook ($50.00 inc gst. To order email information@nswmin.com.au)
Summary Brochure for Community Engagement
External Links
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism – Community Engagement and Development
Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources - Principles for Engagement with Communities and Stakeholders
Department of Planning - Guidelines for Major Project Community Consultation, October 2007
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