Tools for Sustainable Community Development Around Mining Operations

Davidson J¹*, Braithwaite JA²*

1. Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department, World Bank, Washington, USA
2. International Council on Mining and Metals, London, UK

The mining industry globally is under pressure to provide sustainable economic and social benefits to the communities in which they operate throughout the project cycle, including after mine closure. Mining investments must do a better job of recognising local realities and concerns, promoting dialogue and participation, building social and economic capital and integrating their activities with local and regional efforts to achieve self-sustaining social and economic development. This is reflected in one of ICMM’s ten sustainable development principles which corporate members have committed to measure their performance against ie. ‘contribute to the social, economic and institutional development of the communities in which we operate’.

To support members in implementing this principle, in 2002 ICMM and the Mining Policy Group of the Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department of the World Bank partnered to commence work on a project to develop new approaches and ‘tools’ to support government, industry and community efforts to realise more sustainable community development around mining and mineral processing operations. The tools are intended to outline the roles, responsibilities and skill requirements and provide practical ‘how to’ guidance for mine site managers and practitioners, local communities and government for all stages of the community development process.

The paper will present the final tools, when and how the tools should be used and follow-up activities for their dissemination and piloting.

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