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...conducting innovative research for the Mining Industry! |
The Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials |
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September, 2002.
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Sustainable Communities
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How Mining Companies Must Adapt to Cultural Issues in Local Communities
Carol Odell, Graduate Student, Mining Engineering
Ginger Gibson, Graduate Student, Mining Engineering Director of Mining Programs, CoDevelopment-Canada
Jennifer Hinton, Graduate Student, Mining Engineering
Marcello Veiga, Assistant Professor, Graduate Mining Engineering
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Malcolm Scoble, Professor and Head, Mining Engineering
Background Most, but not all, mining takes place in remote regions of the world. In some cases "fly-in-fly-out" camps are established these days but in others, a community is built nearby the mine to provide houses and a society for the mine workers and related suppliers. In some parts of the world, indigenous people inhabit the local communities near a mine and their cultural attitudes and values need to be considered by the mining company as the mine comes into operation.
Communities should not be viewed as a separate entity from the mine. The startup of a mine in a region can bring incredible benefits to all members of the local communities but the perception of the locals can be quickly turned to distain if a system of dialog and cooperation is not readily established. A company that desires the creation of harmony amongst the local population, must engage the communities in positive dialog and integrate itself into the community with respect and concern for local values and culture.
Recently CERM3 has mounted an innovative program to recruit graduate students from non-traditional disciplines into our Graduate School to conduct research into how mining companies can implement systems to relate with local communities around the world as they go about their normal business activities.
To see a detailed pictorial presentation on this facinating subject, click here.
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Email: cerm3@mining.ubc.ca
Copyright © 2002 Centre for Environmental Research in Minerals, Metals, and Materials. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to reproduce all or any of the contained materials provided due credit is given to CERM3 as the source.
Revised: September 28, 2002.
