Indigenous Peoples Issues - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 663

for the right approach does not exist, and there is a risk that the company will take an
exclusionary, confrontational or elitist approach to the communities it will be dealing
with, then it is time to stop the process, and better select and prepare both the company
organization and its key personnel in terms of outlook and understanding of cultural
factors.

Elements of the 'Right' Approach

Assuming that the mining company is culturally aware and sensitive to Indigenous
Peoples, and is committed, the adopted approach should include the following elements:
●

Provide time and funding to develop company expertise, (in-house and through exter-
nal experts) on local communities, traditional customs, and contemporary politics;

●

Investigate the potential for conl icting objections between local communities and
their higher representatives; for example Land Councils in Australia; local, regional or
national governments.

●

Realize that it may be necessary to manage ways of avoiding this conl ict; for example
by involving representatives of all tiers of stakeholders, at all stages;

●

Seek to understand the different views of history that each community holds, and
particularly their individual experience with governments and non-indigenous
society;

●

Ensure that the company is at all times represented to the community by a senior per-
son suited to the task who has the authority to speak on behalf of the company and
make i rm and binding decisions;

●

As far as possible continue to use this same person as the lead representative through-
out the entire consultation process;

Take careful steps to ensure that
commitments are well thought
out, and that all commitments
are met.

●

Refrain from overstating benei ts to the community or other actions that may lead to
unrealistic expectations.

●

Take careful steps to ensure that commitments are well thought out, and that all com-
mitments are met;

●

Develop protocols and clear lines of communication between the company and indig-
enous communities, and ensure that they are consistent and reliable;

●

Respect the traditions and culture of the communities one is dealing with;

●

Acknowledge cultural differences, commit to understanding and accommodating
them as much as possible;

●

Initiate contact, honest communication, and open dialogue as early as possible in the
life of the project;

●

Deal with all Indigenous Peoples with honesty and integrity, by developing a work-
ing relationship based on mutual respect and trust, with open and ongoing dialogue
throughout the life of the project;

Deal with all Indigenous Peoples
with honesty and integrity.

●

Engage all stakeholder groups who represent, or may in the future profess to repre-
sent, the interests of the Indigenous Peoples (including relevant NGOs and aid agen-
cies) and inform them throughout the negotiation process;

●

Accept that mining exploration and development/production activities will have an
impact on communities, minimize this impact at all times and provide compensation
where justii able and appropriate;

●

Assist in community development where appropriate, and in accordance with the
wishes of the community and local, regional, and national governments, and

●

Employ, train, and educate Indigenous Peoples from the local communities, whenever
possible, appropriate and consistent with community wishes.