Community Development - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 624

FIGURE 15.5
Participation Matrix

Initiate Plan Implement Maintain

Community
maintains
alone

Self-help Community

initiate action
alone

Community control

Ideally most of the community devel-
opment programme cycle operates on
a partnership model, with increasing
community ownership and control
towards mine closure.
Source: based on Wates 2000

Partnership Company and

community
jointly initiate
action
Company
initiate action
after consulting
community

Company and
community
jointly plan

Company and
community
jointly implement

Shared working
and decision-making

Consultation

Mine
Closure

Company asks
community for opinions

Company
initiate action

Information

One way flow of
information
Company control

A participation matrix adapted from Wates (2000), neatly demonstrates the different
natures of interactions that can guide community development ( Figure 15.5 ). The matrix
also helps to illustrate appropriate levels of participation at different stages of the CD pro-
gramme. Shared interests of community and mining company are assumed. Ideally, most
of the CD programme cycle operates in the shaded areas, although either party can initi-
ate action. Joint planning is crucial. The matrix's value is in prompting communities and
mining companies alike to think about where they are in the overall process and when it
is necessary to move between levels in stakeholder involvement. It also illustrates that, fol-
lowing mine closure the contribution of the mining project to community development
ceases to exist.

Following mine closure the
contribution of the mining
project to community
development ceases to exist.

Community Action Plans

A specii c CD programme, or Community Action Plan (CAP), simplii ed in Table 15.4 , is
a detailed plan for implementing solutions to problems that have been identii ed during
the needs assessment process. It will become the work plan both for the community and its
development partners (mining company and/or local government) with adjustments from
time to time to suit changing community priorities.
There are six principle steps in developing a CD programme, best documented in a for-
mal manner as is normally required for most capital expenditures. These steps are:
1. Dei ne needs and overall objectives;
2. Develop a list of actions required to achieve the objectives;
3. Assign responsibilities to the communities, the mining company, the government, and
other institutions to implement each activity;

4. Identify resources required for each activity and the contributor of these resources;

5. Decide when the activities are to be done; and

A Community Action Plan is
the work plan both for the
community and its development
partners and will be adjusted
to suit changing community
priorities.

6. Develop criteria to evaluate success or need for corrective actions.

A Community Action Plan is the work plan both for the community and its development
partners and will be adjusted to suit changing community priorities.
Community ownership of the CAP is the most important aspect of the plan. The CAP
acts as a template for future planning activities by the community and also serves as a