working in communities

WORKING IN COMMUNITIESMINERAL EXPLORATION COMMUNITY VALUES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Workshop Introduction

Approach:

• Module format; Introduction to Ideas; Facilitate Discussion during conference

• Community Planning Based

Objectives :

• Develop/strengthen appreciation for “community” values;• Introduce participants to trends in industry, government

policy and community expectations that will affect industry• Introduce participants to resource people, tools and

information

Agenda

Part 1: Why Engage?

Part 2: Who to Engage? (Guest Speakers)

Part 3: How to Engage?

Why Engage?

The short answer….

1. Legal Obligation (question of timing)

2. Moral Duty (‘rights’ often debated)

3. Fiscal Responsibility

Why engage?

1. Perceptions and Issues (Internal/External to Industry)

2. Trends and their Impact on Industry Activities

3. Evolution of Community Engagement

Mineral Industry Perceptions and Issues

1. ‘Free Entry System’

2. Dual Rights System

3. Evolution of Environmental Movement

4. Public Perceptions and Past Practices

5. Secrecy of industry

1. ‘Free Entry System’

• Allows for virtually anyone to acquire claims – promotes fair access

• Promotes low cost access for initial exploration

• Usually ‘outsider’ acquires claims

2. Dual Rights System – pros and cons

• Crown owns minerals – promotes social equity

• Landowner perspectives

• Creates challenges in resource and land management

• Perpetuates ‘outsider’ perspective

3. Evolution of Environmental Movement

• Goal of social equity and environmental protection

• Change in philosophy from abundant to finite capacity

• Changes in societal expectations (trends)

• Changes in demographics – ‘luxury of thought’

4. Public Perceptions and Past Practices

• Litany of environmental legacy sites

• Public does not differentiate between mines & quarries

• Media coverage

• Poor public understanding of modern society ‘footprint’

5. Secrecy of industry

• Protection of claims – property

• Uncertainty in prospect development

• Fear of community response

• Investor issues

6. Minimal Contact

• Local landowner contact

• Message and managing expectations

• Company capability

• Traditional use of public relations to deliver message

• Companies have difficulties defining “Community”

Trends

1. Communications, Media and the Internet

2. Environmental and Community Planning

3. Government Policy and Activities

4. Industry Initiatives

5. Demographics

Trends and their Impact on the Mineral Industry

1. Communications, Media and the Internet

• Social Media has forever changed how we communicate and share information

• Free access to internet - unchallenged reporting

• Instant access to news

2. Environmental and Community Planning

• Move towards sustainability

• Downloading programs – FG -> PG -> MG

• Community-based Initiatives (volunteer; NSEN)

3. Government Policy and Activities

• Legislation supporting sustainability (EGSPA)

• Natural Resources Strategy – policy document

• Federal, Provincial and Municipal legislation

• First Nations and Aboriginal Interests – Duty to Consult

4. Industry Initiatives

• PDAC E3-Plus Program

Exploration Focus - Voluntary Guidelines Emphasizes CSR & Environmental Stewardship

• MAC - Towards Sustainable Mining

Voluntary ~ 20 companies participate (operations)

• TSX Requirements – Section 20 of Technical Reporting

5. Demographics

• Nova Scotia’s aging population

• Less appetite for industry (retirement ‘community’)

• Skilled Labour?

Evolution of

Community Engagement

Evolution of Community Engagement

Where have we been??

• Minimal effort - as demanded by legislation

• Mainly one-way communications – PR based

• Early environmental legislation adopted to meet environmental and social demands (EA process)

• EA process only applicable at ‘development’ stage

Where are we now?

• Trends in Social & Environmental Awareness Impact:

Government Policy

Industry Association Initiatives

Regulatory Requirements (TSX)

• Any Change in Community Confidence?

Where are we now? Government Policy/Legislation

• Community Engagement opportunities MRA – no current opportunity; Rewrite -

opportunities?

Natural Resources Strategy – Engagement Exercise

EA & Integration of Permitting – Mineral Lease/Industrial Approval (One-window Approach)

Where are we now? Industry Association Actions

• PDAC E3 Plus Initiative – CSR, Engagement focus! Response to growing community planning trends

Few exploration companies have taken action

Benefits not part of corporate psyche yet

Illustrates need for corporate training in CSR etc.

Where are we now? Financial Regulatory Actions

• New Section in TSX 43-101 Technical Reports Item 20: Environmental Studies, Permitting, and

Social or Community Impact

Requirement to discuss issues that may affect an issuer's ability to mine

Only comes into play at “advanced project” stage

Observations….

• Industry associations seem to be keeping pace with trends in government policy and community based planning

• Mining companies – not so much

Observations for moving forward…..

Companies need to recognize level of understanding of geology, industry activities by community as a first step

Companies must be aware of community perceptions of mining

Companies must recognize range of values in a community

Engagement needs to focus on community planning and what that means to the community

Summary

Industry suffers from past practices and a negative image

Trends in communications, government policy and ‘community’ planning will impact industry

Industry associations and regulatory agencies have developed policies and programs to keep pace with these trends

Most ‘engagement’ is still a “must do” rather than “should do” activity

Who to Engage?

How to Engage?

Why Engage• Issues, Trends and History

Who to Engage?• Varied Interests, Perspectives and Values

• How to Engage?• Key Elements• A Plan to Move Forward

Typical Engagement Scenario

Acquisition Exploration Mining

$ $$$ $$$$$$Investment

Engagement X ?

Corporate Social Responsibility – Commitment

• Attitude (CSR profile, training, etc.)

Develop Community Awareness – Pre-engagement

• How? Costs?

Community Focused Engagement• Best Management Principles

Meeting the Challenge: Key Elements

Corporate Social Responsibility

Often Poorly Defined & Criticized

• What would it look like if it was actually done?

• Called a “Weapon” in some countries.

• Heavily biased towards financial “reward” rather than changing corporate attitudes.

• Still has great potential if genuinely applied

Meeting the Challenge: Moving Forward

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.

Charles Darwin

Sooner or later poor performers get weeded out…

Change……. Natural Resources Strategy

• Phase 1 Citizen Engagement - Submissions Critical of Industry Looking for Change Concern (Values) Focused

• Phase 2 Expert Panels – Technical Advice Position Focused

Corporate Social ResponsibilityAre Companies Adapting?

• Exploration Companies – informal survey results on CSR/Environmental Policies

• Saying you are a good corporate citizen is almost meaningless…..

• Proof?

Corporate Social ResponsibilityHow can you build ‘Proof’?

• Start Internally – Develop CSR Policy & Program Research – Get Help

• OH&S Process/NSCSA Safety Passport – Models?

• Learn about Nova Scotia’s Rural Heritage/History

• Look for Opportunities Seminars or Workshops Attend or Sponsor Seminars or Workshops (Example)

Making a Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility - Sustainability

Sustainability is about long-term community health

•Future generations definition (Bruntland Commission, ‘87)

•Local, regional & national scales•Triple Bottom Line Accounting: People - Profit - Planet•Not simply sustaining an activity•Need recognition of differing perspectives & values

Corporate Social Responsibility - Sustainability

In Minerals Sector:

• Needs to have community focus

• Environmental protection (BMP’s)

• Long term care of the land (Reclamation)

• Redefinition of minerals and sustainability….

Develop Community Awareness – Pre-Engagement Identify potential Interested and Affected Parties

Use watershed unit – know your surroundings

Research - NGO’s, First Nations & ENGO’s

Research local community demographics

Develop Community Awareness – Pre-EngagementDevelop awareness of community and motivators

Develop awareness of issues and perspectives

Develop appreciation for differing perspectives

Ask for help - resource organizations, NGOs, government staff, local citizens, community groups

Community Focused Engagement

Public Participation Spectrum(International Association of Public Participation)

Inform Consult Involve Collaborate

Increasing Effort, Time and Community InputApproach is Community Dependent

Empower

Community Focused Engagement - Processes

• Public Displays/Story Boards• Briefings• Informal/Formal Public Meetings • Visitor Centre• Newsletter• Website• Community Liaison Committee• Advisory Groups• Workshops and Focus Groups

Meeting the challenge: Moving Forward

Community Focused Engagement – Generic Steps

1. Define community

2. Baseline studies

3. SWOT Analysis (Risk/Opportunity)

4. Develop Engagement Plan

5. Evaluate (Internally/Externally)

Community Focused Engagement: Principles

1. COMMUNICATION

2. TRANSPARENCY

3. COLLABORATION

4. INCLUSIVENESS

5. INTEGRITY

Community Focused Engagement: Action Elements1. COMMUNICATION1

Foster TWO-WAY communications/ownership “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen

twice as much as we speak.” “First learn the meaning of what you say, and then

speak.” Epictetus

Develop clear, accurate and relevant information

Identify appropriate individuals to ensure the right people are engaged and represent interested groups

Maximize communication opportunities Maximize feedback opportunities Be accessible Demonstrate you are Listening (timely responses)

Convey all relevant social, environmental and economic impacts of activities

Provide information in a form that is understandable by the community

Encourage access to information & questions Establish realistic timeframes for community input When to communicate

Community Focused Engagement: Action Elements2. TRANSPARENCY

How information about engagement process is managed and communicated

Identify company objectives for engagement Clarify the preferred outcomes of the process Agree on/establish a process for two-way feedback Report openly regarding engagement and feedback Documentation

Community Focused Engagement: Action Elements3. COLLABORATION

Work together to seek mutually beneficial outcomes Help community where necessary Seek joint ownership of outcomes Learn about & and get involved in community Third-party facilitator if necessary

Community Focused Engagement: Action Elements4. INCLUSIVENESS

Engage early and often! Community – individuals linked by:

• Geography, Issues, Identity & Interaction Acknowledge & respect diversity of community (CSR) Incorporate concerns of community

Community Focused Engagement: Action Elements5. INTEGRAITY

Back to CSR philosophy Build mutual respect Be clear about the nature of engagement process Identify what is and is not negotiable Clearly agree on & define expectations early Be fair, honest and ethical

SUMMARY

Four Point Action Plan

• Engagement (Community of Interest; Asset Mapping)• Relationship Building (Establishes Players/Commitment;

‘Awkward’ Communications)• Trust (Commitment Accepted; Comfortable

Communications) • Credibility (Desirable in Negotiations)

Social/Environmental Portfolio of Actions Corporate Social Responsibility Record

Take Away Points

1. Trends Driving Community Expectations

2. ‘Sustainability’ Key Element in Community Planning and there IS Help out there!

3. Survival of the Fittest will Prevail

Questions?

working in communities

community expectations

initial exploration

industry trends

issues internalexternal

environmental protection

dual rights system pros

outsider perspective10working

resource people

Documents

communities working in partnership to improve our green...

working in concert for healthy and sustainable communities

working in concert for health healthy and sustainable...

we are working in our communities to make a difference....

working for healthy communities since 1972

h2 living and working together in communities by whitney...

working with communities in emergencies

building communities: lessons in co-working for...

renewable energy guide for developers & communities...

collaborate or perish: communities working together

joined-up working for education in travelling communities

european communities european parliament working …

working with first nation communities in emergency …

working with newcomers in rural and small urban communities

working together for our communities - …...working...

working together in communities of practice with metadata...

working in and with open source communities

working together with communities domestic demand response...

working with online communities

working with communities