Indigenous Peoples Issues - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 655

to living in a world run more by the rhythms of nature (seasons, weather patterns, tides) than
that of an industrial society's timetables, Indigenous Peoples are often unlikely to appreciate
the impatience or frustration of the non-indigenous faced with time delays.
Conl icts and misunderstandings between indigenous and the non-indigenous may
result from very different perceptions of the world and the value placed on aspects of
that world. To non-indigenous communities, time and tide wait for no one in the march
of progress. To indigenous communities, the 'developed western world' - or their host
nation's majority society - has gained its trappings of progress at the expense of its soul.

Confl icts and misunderstandings
between indigenous and the
non-indigenous may result from
very different perceptions of the
world and the value placed on
aspects of that world.

16.4 ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES

A mining development potentially offers both opportunities and threats to indigenous
communities. The challenge is to realize the potential opportunities without diminishing
or losing those aspects of culture or lifestyle that are important to the indigenous commu-
nities. Potential opportunities may include employment, education and training, improved
infrastructure, housing, medical services, and community services. Threats include loss of
land, pollution, loss of access to traditional resources, being swamped by large numbers of
incoming people, introduction of new diseases, and changes in norms and values as a result
of contact with outsiders. These can all lead to dependency, loss of identity, breakdown of
traditional codes of conduct and ultimately spiritual and physical breakdown.
Understanding these issues is essential if mining companies are to help indigenous com-
munities benei t from a mining development without compromising their social and cul-
tural values and without the risk to the company of signii cant liabilities (including poor
public relations).

Sharing of Benefi ts - The Chance for Betterment

Some indigenous societies may aspire to be left alone. However most, if not all societies
seek betterment, although what constitutes betterment will differ from one society to
another. For most indigenous societies, aspirations for betterment would include:
● Improved health and medical facilities;
● Improved safety and security;
● Access to sufi cient resources so as to be independent;
● A viable and vibrant community life that provides attraction for and helps retain
young people;
● The means to deal with existing social problems such as alcohol abuse.
Other common aspirations include education and training tailored specii cally to the com-
munity's circumstances, better housing, transportation, and modern amenities. For some
indigenous communities, developing a mineral resource may provide the best, perhaps the
only means by which the people's aspirations can be achieved.
Whatever the particular aspirations may be, a mining project among Indigenous
Peoples should be able to contribute toward the realization of realistic goals for betterment.
Benei ts derived from mining or petroleum production can lead to enormous differences
between neighbouring indigenous groups. One group with large mineral resources can
prosper while a nearby group remains impoverished. Nowhere has this been more appar-
ent than among the Indian tribes of North America. In Australia, this situation has been
alleviated to some extent by the Land Councils through which benei ts l ow beyond the
group that is directly involved.

Most, if not all societies seek
betterment, although what
constitutes betterment will differ
from one society to another.

Benefi ts derived from mining
or petroleum production can
lead to enormous differences
between neighbouring
indigenous groups.