Project background/scenario​

A global mining organisation identified an opportunity to review and better understand how engagement efforts underway were being perceived by Indigenous Peoples. This included a focus on how the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) were being upheld in practice. In order to attain this understanding, the mining organisation undertook a benchmarking exercise which considered current member practices and external good industry practice. Specific emphasis was placed on the needs, interests and priorities of Indigenous Peoples and organisations, and their expectations to understand where improvements can be made.

The project involved conducting a series of interviews with representatives from various Indigenous Peoples groups, as well with mining companies, so as to understand how each group perceived the engagement between the two parties. Representatives from the Indigenous Peoples groups stated that whilst mining companies were generally good at sharing information and supporting small community projects, there was still more work to be done to develop trust-based, mutually beneficial relationships, with most mining companies not yet achieving what was considered to be FPIC.

In addition, the project identified that Indigenous Peoples groups, on-the-whole, are interested in a dialogue-based approach when working with mining companies that reflects their specific cultural practices. Furthermore, representatives from these groups routinely expressed an interest in working in partnership with mining companies on the issues that are important to them, including impacts to the environment and nature as well as the future effects of climate change. It was also recognised that Indigenous Peoples groups are interested in new ways of benefiting from mining operations including exploring equity models of partnership.

As part of the overall outcome of this project, the mining organisation established a set of principles to be followed by its members in relation to engagement with Indigenous Peoples and is pursuing a standard for meaningful engagement.

How engagement was made meaningful

  • Principle 2 - The project identified that undertaking regular reviews or audits of stakeholder engagement plans and company practices by a third party provides an opportunity to ensure the company is engaging with the ‘right’ stakeholders and using the right techniques/tools to foster mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Principle 4 - The interviews conducted with Indigenous Peoples groups helped the mining companies to understand shortcomings in their current stakeholder engagement approaches, methods and responses. Some of the companies involved in the project also actively revamped their existing stakeholder engagement strategies to better embed the principles of FPIC, with a focus on enhancing the level of trust between both parties.

See all core principles in Section 1

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