Building Knowledge and Understanding
Going Beyond the Mine
In order for us to effectively engage with our stakeholder groups, we must develop a comprehensive understanding of communities affected by our operations - from their cultural traditions to the location of heritage sites, and from how they earn a living to how their lives will change due to our operations.
An improved understanding of the cultures, norms, behaviors, interests and rights related to our operations not only establishes a foundation for respectful and effective engagement practices, it also provides the basis for measuring our success in mitigating negative impacts and maximizing positive results.
An improved understanding of the cultures, norms, behaviors, interests and rights related to our operations not only establishes a foundation for respectful and effective engagement practices, it also provides the basis for measuring our success in mitigating negative impacts and maximizing positive results.
How We Engage
Among the tools we use to build an understanding of local communities are:
Social Baseline Studies: Comprehensive social baseline information provides the foundation for Newmont's understanding of local communities, and it comprises the data against which Newmont's impacts - including social, health, environmental, economic and human rights - and contributions to sustainable development will be measured. A thorough understanding of the local communities near our sites provides the basis for informed and respectful engagement processes, mitigation plans, and development programs.
Social Impact Assessments: Social impact assessments are designed to analyze and understand potential negative and positive impacts faced by local communities in relation to Newmont's presence. Potential impacts can be highly varied and complex over time. They are also significantly dependent on perspective: What Newmont may perceive as a positive impact may appear to be a negative outcome in the eyes of local community members.
By conducting thorough social impact assessments that involve local stakeholders, we are better positioned to more accurately estimate site risks and address them in a timely and cost-effective manner. Impact assessments also allow us to identify opportunities for sustainable contributions to support local socio-economic development and enhance the value of the site to the local community.
Social Baseline Studies: Comprehensive social baseline information provides the foundation for Newmont's understanding of local communities, and it comprises the data against which Newmont's impacts - including social, health, environmental, economic and human rights - and contributions to sustainable development will be measured. A thorough understanding of the local communities near our sites provides the basis for informed and respectful engagement processes, mitigation plans, and development programs.
Social Impact Assessments: Social impact assessments are designed to analyze and understand potential negative and positive impacts faced by local communities in relation to Newmont's presence. Potential impacts can be highly varied and complex over time. They are also significantly dependent on perspective: What Newmont may perceive as a positive impact may appear to be a negative outcome in the eyes of local community members.
By conducting thorough social impact assessments that involve local stakeholders, we are better positioned to more accurately estimate site risks and address them in a timely and cost-effective manner. Impact assessments also allow us to identify opportunities for sustainable contributions to support local socio-economic development and enhance the value of the site to the local community.
Enacting Lessons from the Community Relationships Review/ 2010 Overview
The findings from the CRR confirmed the importance of these tools and their potential effectiveness, but they also indicated that we have not always done so in a consistent manner across our operations. The CRR revealed several areas for improvement in our Social Responsibility efforts. We have taken all of these areas into consideration and are continually working to make sure every aspect of Newmont operations is in line with what we have said and our commitments.
Hope Bay, Nunavut
Initial social baseline studies were conducted in Hope Bay beginning in 2005. Social, economic and cultural impact mitigation for the native Inuit people is achieved through the implementation of measures contained in the Doris North Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA). These measures are actively managed by the joint IIBA Implementation Committee between the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) and Hope Bay Mining Limited (HBML), which met quarterly in 2010.
Social and Economic impact predictions are tested through the implementation of the Doris North Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee. In 2010, the Government of Canada and Government of Nunavut indicated to HBML their desire to use a regional approach to socio-economic monitoring. Since that time, HBML has been an active participant in the Kitikmeot Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee.
In 2010, internal plans were made for updating our Socio Economic Baseline for the Hope Bay Project. These studies are planned for 2011 and will inform both the Stage 3 evaluation of Hope Bay and the public environmental assessment of Phase II Hope Bay development if results from initial underground development and drilling are positive.
Batu Hijau, Indonesia
Newmont conducted a Social Impact Assessment in June 2010 and the report was translated from English into the native language. The next step for the site is to distribute the assessment's Executive Summary to key stakeholders to discuss the impacts found during the study.
Waihi, New Zealand
Newmont conducted a Social Impact Assessment in 2009, which included community involvement via the Waihi Community Vision committee in the Terms of Reference and review by this group before the final version was produced. The SIA findings have been communicated to many local groups and individuals. Letters were sent out to advise that the final report was available on the website and in hard copy for those without internet access.
The more recent Iwi Impact and Opportunities Assessment involved Iwi representatives in the development of the Scope of Work.
Jundee, Australia
As a result of the Social Impact Assessment conducted in 2009, the operations received an NJO Impacts register which identifies all of the community concerns and perceptions of Newmont Jundee Operations. The impacts register is a live document and is reviewed regularly by Community Relations staff. This register helps to inform objectives/targets that are included within the operation's strategic plan. The site risk register has also been cross-referenced with the impacts register so that the risk register includes those items perceived to be a risk by the community or as an issue they have raised.
Snapshot: Waihi Social Impact Assessment for Closure Undertaken
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Hope Bay, Nunavut
Initial social baseline studies were conducted in Hope Bay beginning in 2005. Social, economic and cultural impact mitigation for the native Inuit people is achieved through the implementation of measures contained in the Doris North Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA). These measures are actively managed by the joint IIBA Implementation Committee between the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) and Hope Bay Mining Limited (HBML), which met quarterly in 2010.
Social and Economic impact predictions are tested through the implementation of the Doris North Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee. In 2010, the Government of Canada and Government of Nunavut indicated to HBML their desire to use a regional approach to socio-economic monitoring. Since that time, HBML has been an active participant in the Kitikmeot Socio-Economic Monitoring Committee.
In 2010, internal plans were made for updating our Socio Economic Baseline for the Hope Bay Project. These studies are planned for 2011 and will inform both the Stage 3 evaluation of Hope Bay and the public environmental assessment of Phase II Hope Bay development if results from initial underground development and drilling are positive.
Batu Hijau, Indonesia
Newmont conducted a Social Impact Assessment in June 2010 and the report was translated from English into the native language. The next step for the site is to distribute the assessment's Executive Summary to key stakeholders to discuss the impacts found during the study.
Waihi, New Zealand
Newmont conducted a Social Impact Assessment in 2009, which included community involvement via the Waihi Community Vision committee in the Terms of Reference and review by this group before the final version was produced. The SIA findings have been communicated to many local groups and individuals. Letters were sent out to advise that the final report was available on the website and in hard copy for those without internet access.
The more recent Iwi Impact and Opportunities Assessment involved Iwi representatives in the development of the Scope of Work.
Jundee, Australia
As a result of the Social Impact Assessment conducted in 2009, the operations received an NJO Impacts register which identifies all of the community concerns and perceptions of Newmont Jundee Operations. The impacts register is a live document and is reviewed regularly by Community Relations staff. This register helps to inform objectives/targets that are included within the operation's strategic plan. The site risk register has also been cross-referenced with the impacts register so that the risk register includes those items perceived to be a risk by the community or as an issue they have raised.
Snapshot: Waihi Social Impact Assessment for Closure Undertaken
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