In an industry first, mining company Newmont today published an independently prepared report on its community relations policies and procedures.

A team of consultants, academic researchers and lawyers undertook the research and prepared the report, overseen by an advisory board comprising NGO representatives, activist investors (who had submitted the shareholder resolution demanding the report to begin with), academics, and a community representative.

According to the Newmont press release, the study involved:

"The CRR process involved:

Interviews with more than 250 local community members, non-governmental organizations and other external stakeholders in five countries;

Interviews with more than 100 company personnel at the site, regional and corporate levels;

Examination of company policies, standards, procedures, and training programs;

Detailed analyses of Newmont sites, including Ahafo (Ghana), Yanacocha (Peru), Martha (New Zealand), Carlin (Nevada), Batu Hijau and Minahasa (Indonesia); and,

Country-level analyses of relationships and contexts."

The report and associated documents are available online. Clearly Newmont has some way to go in closing the gap between head office pronouncement and on-the-ground reality. Specifically they need to focus on:

"* Enhancing consistency of engagement with local communities;
* Building capacity to manage and resolve conflict and address grievances; and,
* Developing consistent global policies, standards and programs to better guide the Company's actions."

0 Comments

Dead tree version

ADVERTISMENT