Community Development - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 612

not able to support a large population, there is the real risk of marginalization of the host
community economically, politically, and socially. Ensuring that any project-affected com-
munity continues to thrive as an articulate, self-reliant, and mature community is an over-
all goal of community development programmes.

15.2 POINTERS TO SUCCESS

The maxim, 'It ain't what you do it's the way that you do it', sums up most of the lessons
learned by practitioners of CD. Successful community and IP development programmes
rel ect the understanding that the unique needs and aspirations of individuals and com-
munities are best identii ed and addressed through a process of consultation and participa-
tion. Any mining company should consciously avoid the paternalistic top-down approach
to community development and the unhealthy dependency it engenders. Some pointers to
success are shown in Table 15.1 .

'It ain't what you do it's the way
that you do it'.

Getting it Right from the Start

Impressions formed during the initial contact with local communities can affect relations
between the mining project and the local communities for many years. Because negative
initial impressions may be very difi cult to overcome, project personnel need to prepare
themselves well before meeting with a community. This preparation includes recogni-
tion of community rights, assessment of the company's values and its key operatives, and
appropriate planning. The starting point is an assessment of whether the company and its
key employees have the required cultural awareness and capacity to understand a com-
munity's needs. If not, the company must develop its internal capacity before undertaking
signii cant interaction with an affected community.

TABLE 15.1
Core Principles of Community-Driven Development - The unique needs and aspirations of individuals and
communities need to be addressed through a process of consultation and participation. Any mining company should consciously
avoid the paternalistic top-down approach to community development

Getting it right from the start

Respecting human and community rights

Minimizing direct transfers

Coordinating with mining operation

Seeking local input to design and execution

Ensuring local government is not bypassed

Focusing on project-affected people

Maintaining the natural resource base

Aiming for self-fi nancing programmes

Benefi ting both community and mining project

Maintaining Community ownership