Community Development - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 645

Over-emphasizing NGO Involvement

NGOs come in many forms, with many agendas. Some are highly dedicated to the better-
ment of society. Others seem to be driven by opposite motives. Some cynics joke that NGO is
an abbreviation of 'new government organization'. It is probably not unfair to generalize that
NGOs benei t from power and inl uence well beyond their size or capabilities. Those who
are pressing for increased NGO involvement in mining projects often tend to forget that an
NGO is but one of many stakeholders. NGOs themselves are rarely affected by projects; they
represent a particular interest group. However, they tend to be more vocal than other stake-
holders, often dominating the agenda. This is certainly true in the case of self-proclaimed
anti-mining advocacies. Typically, these groups project a hostile attitude and proclaim an
extremely negative stereotyped view of mining that may evolve to the point where co-operation
or even communication between the project and the NGO becomes impossible. Mining com-
panies are well advised to engage with NGOs based on what they can add to the project. A
partnership between two organizations should be based on mutual respect and mutual ben-
ei t, not on the noise that any given organization is able to generate.
In conclusion nobody can say that community development is easy. But at a minimum,
a mining project should be able to shape its role in the community to that of good neigh-
bour, rather than intruder. Good neighbours help each other.

NGOs themselves are rarely
affected by projects; however,
they tend to be more vocal
than other stakeholders, often
dominating the agenda.

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