Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Sustainable communities
We contribute to the sustainable social and economic development
of communities near our operations.
Xstrata Copper seeks to improve the quality
of life of communities near its operations. We
believe that contributing to the development
of sustainable communities and engaging
with our stakeholders in two-way, open
dialogue enhances our corporate reputation
and is crucial to maintaining our social licence
to operate.
We identify our communities and other
stakeholders at the earliest possible stage
and maintain an active, transparent and
culturally appropriate engagement with
them throughout the life cycle of our
operations. In this way, we seek to establish
mutually beneficial relationships based on
active engagement.
We register, monitor and address questions
and complaints from communities. We
establish fair and equitable processes for
engagement with Indigenous and local
communities, seeking, where relevant, their
prior and informed consent and respecting
their culture, customs, interests and rights.
Our Corporate Social Involvement (CSI)
program in north Queensland includes the
Xstrata Community Partnership Program
North Queensland (XCPPNQ) and a
sponsorships and donations program.
Through the XCPPNQ, we seek to develop
partnerships with the community in the areas
of art and culture, education, enterprise and
job creation, the environment, social and
community development and health. These
partnerships contribute to the sustainable
development and local capacity building of
communities.
We also support a range of other community
initiatives and major events in these areas
through a sponsorship and donations
program, and provide significant in-kind
support to community groups through the
provision of goods, materials or personnel
time throughout the year.
Xstrata Copper also supports local businesses
and employs local people in a bid to
strengthen local and regional economies.
Key community challenges for the Xstrata
Copper North Queensland Division include:
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Building community capacity to improve
social services and facilities
Ensuring Indigenous cultural heritage is
not affected by our mining operations
Increasing emphasis on and awareness
of our programs and their long-term,
beneficial impacts on the development
of our communities.
Stakeholder engagement
and consultation
The Xstrata Copper North Queensland
Division encourages dialogue with our
stakeholders and integrates stakeholder
feedback into business planning and strategy.
Stakeholder feedback is used to identify
and manage risks and opportunities, guide
our strategy and business activities, protect
and develop our corporate reputation,
strengthen stakeholder relationships, manage
expectations, respond to concerns and share
our plans for the business.
We systematically identify our external
stakeholders at a divisional, site and
operational level on a regular basis. Proactive
communication occurs with external
stakeholders who are concerned with or
affected by our sustainable development
performance. Stakeholder engagement is
conducted in an equitable and culturally
appropriate manner with the maximum
transparency that is commercially possible.
Sustainable Development (SD) strategies are
reflected in consultation with relevant internal
and external stakeholders. Annual SD plans
are developed and implemented at divisional
and site levels in consultation with identified
internal and external stakeholders.
Through internal assessments of key groups,
our membership of various associations, and
engagement with interested parties, the
Xstrata Copper North Queensland Division
has identified its stakeholders, which are
outlined throughout this section.
Community feedback
Our engagement program is critical to our
understanding of material SD issues. As
part of our commitment to sustainable
development and ensuring we identify and
respond to community needs, we conducted
the Xstrata North Queensland 360° Key
Stakeholder Survey in 2010. This survey is
conducted every two years.
An independent research firm conducted
interviews with 64 stakeholders in Cloncurry,
Mount Isa, Townsville and Bowen asking
questions about their opinions of Xstrata’s
community support programs, view of major
social and environmental issues facing the
community, the dissemination of information
from Xstrata’s north Queensland operations
and the best way for Xstrata to communicate
news and information to local residents.
Survey participants included 22 stakeholders
in Mount Isa, 12 in Cloncurry, 16 in
Townsville and 14 in Bowen. From this
research the following areas of concern
were identified:
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The economy, outlook for the future
and the possible impact of a planned
mining tax on Xstrata’s operations and
investment in north Queensland
The lead issue and the impact negative
publicity could have on attracting
prospective workers and external
businesses to Mount Isa if they perceive
there is a health risk due to lead in the
environment
Employment opportunities for young
and Indigenous people
The impact of fly-in/fly-out (FIFO)
workers on the communities of
Mount Isa and Cloncurry
Infrastructure access and costs.
Sustainability Report 2010 57