Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
framework which compels a serious consideration of Indigenous Peoples' rights over land
and resources.
Pursuit of betterment and prosperity - Indigenous Peoples and communities of all types
have the right to pursue betterment and prosperity. If their traditional lives or livelihoods
are affected by any given land development or mining operation, they have an indisput-
able right to some measure of benei t.
Community development - As part of self-determination, Indigenous Peoples have a right
to be substantially involved in, and principally determine the content of, community develop-
ment programmes, within the funding constraints that are made by the mining company.
16.7 RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINING COMPANIES IN
RELATION TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
The responsibilities of mining companies towards Indigenous Peoples should be clear.
They should abide by the moral imperatives as afi rmed by responsible governments and
such organizations as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. Ten gen-
eral principles are:
Respect Indigenous Peoples and their cultural traditions;
Deal openly and honestly with Indigenous Peoples;
Understand the cultural differences they are dealing with, and make allowances as
necessary;
Help protect and retain indigenous communities and their traditional ways of life, so
long as this is the wish of the community involved in any given situation;
Ensure effective, ongoing, and accessible communication between the mining com-
pany and Indigenous Peoples, throughout the life of the project;
Through pre-planning and implementation, minimize to the extent possible, adverse
impacts both upon the community itself, and the environment upon which the com-
munity depends;
Ensure that only appropriately qualii ed and senior experienced people represent the
company and liaise with the community;
Fund and facilitate community development programmes that assist local communi-
ties in adapting to the changes affecting the communities way of life, in so far as any
given community wishes to be involved in such programmes;
Provide assistance to the community in understanding the activities of the min-
ing operation and its planned intentions. Allow the community the opportunity to
comment on any aspect of mine operations and time to provide fair and reasonable
responses;
Do not deliberately attempt to determine the future, fate, choices or preferences of an
indigenous community, with respect to any matter under a mining company's control;
Avoid generating unrealistic expectations. Keep commitments to levels that can dei -
nitely be achieved and, above all, ensure delivery of all commitments.
Mining Companies are not Governments
It is equally important to establish what are not the responsibilities of mining companies
towards Indigenous Peoples. Mining companies operating in isolated locations in under-
developed regions often i nd it is practical or necessary to undertake actions that should be
 
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