A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Engaging with Indigenous communities
The quest for new mineral-bearing fields is taking more and more exploration and
mining companies into areas occupied by Indigenous communities. Although the
following discussion will focus on the Australian situation, the same basic principles
can be applied in North and South America, the Pacific, Asia and many other regions.
One of the most important factors shaping the relationship between exploration
and mining companies and Indigenous communities is the ability of the parties
to communicate effectively with each other. Mining companies and Indigenous
communities have their own unique cultures and building strong relationships
between the groups is dependent on each party understanding that the other
operates within a very different value system. Without this shared understanding, it
is difficult to develop enduring relationships that will enable both cultures to coexist
amicably, or to manage effectively the issues that arise when mining companies and
Indigenous people are working together.
The development of enduring and sustainable agreements and relationships are
dependent on the mining industry and Indigenous people recognising the importance
of cultural differences and exploring ways to adapt, modify, and change cultural
practices. The challenge for mining companies and Indigenous communities is to
change cultural practices in ways that meet the culturally important or critical needs
of one party while accommodating (to the extent possible) the objectives of the
other party.
Cultural practices and responsibilities in relation to land estates differ markedly
between Indigenous communities across Australia. Exploration and mining
companies preparing to work with Indigenous people for the first time will benefit
from expert advice about those practices and responsibilities. It is important to
acknowledge the many protocols associated with working on Indigenous land, for
instance the traditional welcome to country, the difference between women’s and
men’s business, and ‘sorry business’. Prudent practitioners would seek expert advice
on these matters. One situation where advice may be particularly important is when
it comes to negotiating land access. Mining companies need to ensure that they are
talking to the ’right‘ people, that is those with culturally appropriate responsibilities
for country and with the authority to ’speak for country‘.
On occasion people may assert such authority when that authority has not yet been
widely bestowed or acknowledged according to custom. Similarly, it is also important
to understand that, in some parts of Australia, the Indigenous people who have land
management responsibilities based on historical connections to the land may be
different from the Traditional Owners of that land according to culture.
Apart from cultural norms relating to land ownership, management and access,
there are many other Indigenous cultural beliefs and practices that may conflict
with mining industry norms. It is important for mining companies to understand
these cultural differences if companies are to engage successfully with Indigenous
communities. For example, there are social customs that Aboriginal people cannot
ignore, such as the need to attend funerals, even though their frequency and
importance may be difficult for mining personnel to understand.
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING
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