Community Development - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 609

15

Community Development

Ensuring Long-term Benefi ts

Most mining operations, regardless of size, either have a community development
(CD) programme in place or know that they should develop one. However,
there are as many defi nitions of community development as there are mining
companies. One company may classify its support of the national Independence
Day celebrations as community development, while another may use the
community development budget to build a swimming pool and tennis courts
for its employees. Perhaps these illustrate the two most basic approaches to
development: donating to a worthy cause or building something.

While donating money or constructing facilities may represent valid components of com-
munity development, a broader dei nition is necessary. Frank and Smith (1999) dei ne
' community development as the planned evolution of all aspects of community well-being (eco-
nomic, social, environmental and cultural )'. It follows that a preferred model for community
development is one that is integrated with existing community structures and activities
and sustainable beyond the life of the mine.
Probably no mining company has carried out CD programmes exactly as described in
this chapter, and possibly no one will ever carry out programmes with all the character-
istics presented here. However, the model that follows is simple, achievable, and based
on practical realities. The two essential elements are consultation and collaboration.
Communities are dynamic and it follows that any model must be l exible so that it can be
adapted to changing circumstances.
Figure 15.1 illustrates the general steps involved in CD:

●

Build support;

●

Develop a plan;

●

Maintain the momentum; and

Community development
requires the utilization of existing
capacity and, if successful, results
in increased capacity.

●

Implement and adjust the plan as the programme evolves.

A critical factor in community development is community capacity. Community devel-
opment requires the utilization of existing capacity and, if successful, results in increased