A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

2. Reflections on the significance of community development
projects and programs within the framework of Corporate
Social Responsibility and the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ and
3. The application of gender and Development (GAD) principles to social
and economic processes triggered by mining that generally exacerbate
gender inequalities within affected populations. The inclusion of a GADbased
approach in Community development was the unique component
of this project and offers a model for emulation by other companies.
The participatory Action-Research Project aimed to create cooperative working
relationships with the women and men in mine-impacted communities. The
objective was to produce practical knowledge and effective, gender-equitable,
outcomes that can benefit all stakeholders. Working together with the
community, the study produced gender analyses of the local context, before
and after CD project intervention; gender needs assessments in villages;
assessment of specific programs run by the Company; gender-based Monitoring
and Evaluation of existing CD projects, gender sensitization and capacitybuilding
for Company Staff, and the development of new CD programs that aim
at women’s empowerment. Almost all reports and studies are available from the
project website: www.empoweringcommunities.anu.edu.au.
Figure 2.7 - Women Farmers in the Villages
* Contributed by: Dr Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 41