Mining for Closure: Policies, practises and guidelines for sustainable mining and closure of mines

who lack the legitimate claim of the local commu- nities but can amplify the voice of the community – and who through the community, may also find a legitimate platform for their opposition to a devel- opment. Parallels to such a migration of influence can be found in mining and other industrial set- tings all around the world.

tion considered by industrial interests to be “dan- gerous” to a definitive stakeholder when it acquired legitimacy via success in free national elections). Certainly in a mining context, the ability of parties such as NGOs – even small local NGOs – to broad- cast their issues (via the internet for example) and to rally support from a diverse range of actors has grown markedly in recent years (Antypas, 2005). When powerful and influential actors take up their issues such stakeholders can become definitive. Finally, it is important to note that social actors generally exist that have none of the important at- tributes at a certain point in time. This does not imply however, that they will not at some stage ac- quire one or more attributes. The class of potential stakeholders is real and can evolve into an active category at any time. 3.2 The motivations for inclusion of Section 3 in this document have been threefold. Firstly, it is consid- ered valuable to provide an outline of the manner in which stakeholders may have salience to a min- ing development or abandoned or orphaned site. In this case, the three determinants power, legiti- macy and urgency have been utilised. Secondly, it has been sought to provide a manner in which to map stakeholders. Here a diagrammatic represen- tation has been utilised for that purpose (after the work of Mitchell, 1997). Thirdly, it has been sought to show in some small way, the pathways via which stakeholders can gain such ascendancy that they have the means to dictate the manner course that a mining development might take – particularly in situations where they consider that the mining ac- tivities or their legacies affect their lives negatively. As an example of this in a mining context, Figure 3.2 indicates a theoretical transition to a definitive position by a dependent community near a mining activity. Here, their urgent and legitimate claims against a mining activity are brought to the notice of, and taken up by dominant stakeholders. In this instance power is provided then by senior politi- cians or international NGOs – actors who have the power to force changes, but who until this point did not perceive the issue to have urgency. Such a proc- ess has been facilitated in this theoretical case, by demanding stakeholders such as National NGOs stakeholders & the potential use of this document

POWER

Dormant

e.g. international NGOs & senior governmental actors

POWER

Dominant

Dangerous

Definitive

LEGITIMACY

Dependent e.g. affected

Demanding e.g. anti-developers & single interest groups

Discretionary

citizens/commun- ities & nature

URGENCY

Pathways for affected communities to become definitive

URGENCY

Figure 3.2 Transformation from a dependant into a definitive stakeholder

Assuch,thematerialinthissectionshould, interalia : help clarify who can be important to the con- duct of mining activities; help clarify why such actors are motivated and/or active – or dormant; heighten awareness amongst miners and deci- sion-makers of what can happen; provide understanding of how such events can transpire – e.g. the manner in which control of natural mineral resources can be lost or projects delayed. In the context of Mining for Closure , a mapping of the relevant stakeholders with clearly identified parameters of salience is intended to help clarify those consequences that may arise if best environ- mental practice for mining is not carried out, if the underlying motivations for Mining for Closure are not clearly communicated to constituencies, and if effective dialogue with affected stakeholders is not achieved. Conversely, these conceptual frames should help clarify the benefits of mining best en- vironmental practice, clear communication and awareness of constituencies. • • • •

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MINING FOR CLOSURE