Community Development - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 630

As such, CD programmes should emphasize training and capacity building rather than
direct i nancial support. More specii cally, programmes should be designed to strengthen
the four crucial determinants of development as shown in Figure 15 . 7 income generation,
education and health improvement, infrastructure support, and capacity building.
Actual programmes rarely follow simplii ed theoretical models and CD design and
implementation need to accommodate site-specii c practicalities.
Income generation is often the linchpin of sustainable development. It depends largely
on the creation of new, easily learned income-generating activities. In many cases, CD pro-
grammes must assume basic levels of skills and education amongst community members, and
hence, CD programmes often commence with rudimentary activities such as agribusiness and
home industries. Over time, programmes can expand into value-added activities. Income gen-
eration programmes will have a widespread economic impact because of the multiplier effect
created by new economic activities and markets. A 'Family Financial Planning' component
will support the CD strategy by assisting families to spend new income wisely.
Functional private and public institutions, in particular as they relate to educational
and health institutions, contribute to long-term development. In developing countries the
'cycle of poverty' is real - poor health leads to low productivity and restricted incomes,
leading in turn to low purchasing power, limited funds for health care, and i nally back to
poor health. CD programmes to improve education and health have two common com-
ponents: (1) increasing the capability and effectiveness of health and educational facilities,
and (2) improving educational, health and hygiene awareness among communities. NGOs
as well as community-based organizations can be involved in such efforts.
Public infrastructure is critical to support any economic activity, and to improve access
to educational institutions and health facilities. Since the mining company is likely to be
one of the few organizations in the wider mining area with sufi cient expertise in infra-
structure development projects, it can make a major impact in this i eld. Support can also

CD programmes should
emphasize training and capacity
building rather than direct
fi nancial support.

Actual programmes rarely follow
simplifi ed theoretical models and
CD design and implementation
need to accommodate
site-specifi c practicalities.

In developing countries the 'cycle
of poverty' is real - poor health
leads to low productivity and
restricted incomes, leading in
turn to low purchasing power,
limited funds for health care, and
fi nally back to poor health.

TABLE 15.7
The Human Development Indices - The human development index comprises the elements of life quality that are
universal

Indicators directly related to people
Life expectancy
Child mortality rate
Birth rate per woman
Average life expectancy

Indicators related to health and education
People with access to clean water
Frequency and victims of contagious diseases
Ratio of people to the numbers of doctors
Indicators related to education
Participation of age-school children
Literacy rate
Percentage of people with higher education

Indicators related to economy
Rate of unemployment
Ratio of woman workers to total workers
Child workers