Indigenous Peoples Issues - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 681

To identify long-term changes
it is valuable to conduct regular
anthropological surveys at
intervals of several years.

Some regulatory systems require monitoring and reporting of socio-economic and socio-
cultural impacts as part of the environmental reporting process. Those parameters that can be
readily monitored such as health and medical statistics, demographic indicators, crime rates,
and workforce participation rates, while useful, do not gauge cultural impacts on indigenous
societies. Major impacts such as loss of traditional values may take place over several genera-
tions. These may not be evident, even to community leaders. To identify long-term changes
it is valuable to conduct regular anthropological surveys at intervals of several years.

Community Development Programmes

Successful community development programmes are based on clear and mutually agreed
goals (see also Chapter Fifteen). The goals need to be supported by a set of principles
which dei ne a framework for on-going rei nement of cooperation and settlement of dis-
putes. Principles appropriate to a community development programme for indigenous
communities supported by mining companies could include:
● Recognize each others rights and obligations as a basis for development;
● Use participatory processes to make decisions and identify priorities for development;
● Use negotiation to prepare and implement the development activities;
● Build on existing successes to develop a programme of development activities which
form an imaginative symbol of the long-term relationship;
● Support discrete projects developed and implemented in partnership rather than hand
out cash or other resources;
● Use a project investment process to maintain l exibility and communication in the
development relationship;
● Make use of complementary government and aid programmes.
Community development activities need not be directly associated with the mine. Activities
such as maternal health clinics and agricultural development may contribute more to build-
ing a relationship than mine-related activities. They are also more likely to contribute to a
sustainable community with viable activities lasting beyond the life of the mine.
Table 16.5 lists some typical community development initiatives provided by mining oper-
ations to indigenous communities. For a more comprehensive listing see Chapter Fifteen.
Many of these initiatives, such as those directed at improving health and education, pro-
vide direct benei ts to both the company and the community. While health and education
programmes are common to most projects, the actions will differ according to circum-
stances, particularly the wishes of the recipient communities.
Of particular importance are those programmes that broaden the economic base and that
provide ongoing employment and income-generating opportunities beyond the life of the min-
ing operations. It is essential that practical realities are recognized in the design and implemen-
tation of such programmes. For example, there is no ongoing benei t in developing an industry
to supply a particular product if, after mine closure, there is no longer a market for this product.

Community development
activities need not be directly
associated with the mine.

16.10 IN OPERATION AND CLOSING DOWN

Monitoring Effectiveness of Programmes

As discussed in relation to addressing social change, the effectiveness of some programmes
can be readily monitored; others cannot. Those that can be monitored include:
●

Effectiveness of training programmes;

●

Workforce participation rates;