A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Baseline studies and social impact assessments (SIA)
Large development projects in Australia are generally required to conduct an SIA
as part of the environmental approvals process. Traditionally, this was the only time
when the issue of social impacts was given formal consideration. However, leading
companies in the industry are now voluntarily undertaking the equivalent of SIAs
at their existing operations to develop a better understanding of local communities
and to manage significant events such as expansions and closures. A variety of
terminology is used to describe these exercises—such as social monitoring, social
assessments or socio-economic baseline studies—but the common element is the
focus on identifying and tracking the social impacts of a project, both positive and
negative, and the key community issues associated with the project.
A comprehensive SIA should aim to:
identify the key social, environmental, demographic and economic factors
that constrain or drive change in the particular community or region.
understand how the establishment, expansion or closure of a
mining operation will impact on the community or region.
define key baselines against which to measure past and future changes, and
whether or not these relate specifically to the impact of the mining operation.
identify potential risks and opportunities to the community or region from the
presence of the business and indicate how these might be avoided or secured.
look to identify existing programs, services, projects and/
or processes (such as a community or regional plan) with
which an operation could integrate potential initiatives.
There are a variety of methods and approaches to conducting baseline studies
and social impact assessments. Researchers may use different frameworks, based
in methodologies derived from a range of social sciences, including economics,
sociology, anthropology, social geography, community development, rights-based
frameworks, communication, public affairs or social psychology. Company or site
representatives commissioning the SIA/socio-economic baseline study and writing
the scope should understand that there are many different approaches available.
Assessments should utilise both qualitative data (from interviews and focus
groups) and available quantitative data (on demographic trends, labour market and
employment data, income distribution, education levels and health indices).
In obtaining community input, it is important to be as broad and inclusive as possible
to ensure that all relevant issues have been identified. In particular, operations
need to avoid only engaging with groups and individuals who are positive or have
high influence. It is just as important to involve marginalised groups who may not
necessarily come forward voluntarily, plus the ‘silent majority’, whose perspective is
sometimes overlooked due to vocal community groups or individuals. As previously
emphasised, women are also important stakeholders within communities and
workplaces and may bring different perspectives and views on issues from men.
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 35