The document discusses perceptions of mining development and community preparedness. It finds that communities did not believe development would occur, felt uninformed, and expected major changes both positive and negative. People were not prepared and saw that organization, learning from others, leadership, and information were important to prepare. Both positive impacts like jobs and infrastructure, and negative impacts like housing costs and environmental effects were identified. Communities needed to overcome disbelief, receive more information and organization, and have strong leadership from local government to best prepare for mining development impacts.

1. Perceptions of Mining
Development and the Assessment
of Community Preparedness
Jim Cavaye

11. Impacts
rapid pace of development
the lack of familiarity
large scale of developments

12.  What perceptions do people have of
likely changes?
 What do people see as the most
important elements they need to
prepare for?
 How can communities best prepare?

13. Key Results
 Did not believe it would happen
 Not informed
 Expecting major change (+ve and –ve)
 Not prepared
 Organisation, Learning from others,
Leadership, Information

14. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
%of
Respondents
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
Perception of harmful or beneficial
Harmful or Beneficial?

15. Perceptions of Positive Change
 Increased population
 Increased employment
 Improved community services
 Increased business activity
 Better infrastructure
 Increased income

16. Perceptions of Negative Change
 Housing shortage and cost
 Increased cost of living
 Impacts on underground water
 Wear on infrastructure
 Less safe
 Less community cohesion
 Changes to identity and “spirit”
 Services being overstretched

17. 0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
Score
MakeupSocialsituation
Function
Economy
Infrastructure
Environment
Services
Housing
Extent of Likely Changes

18. 0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
Score
Harmful or
beneficial
Informed Preparation Ease of
preparation

19. Information
 Media
 Word of Mouth
 Experiences of other communities
 Some local government information

20. What is Needed to Prepare
 Overcoming the “disbelief paradox”
 Project approval works against
community preparedness
 Information
 Organisation
 Leadership
 Local government

21. Implications
 Housing Community dynamics
 Difference between FIFO & “less FIFO”
 “Cargo cult” community & government
 Overwhelming local government
 Pre-requisites in development pathways

22. Implications
 SIMP and other procedures don’t cope
 Preparation pre-FID
 Changing SIMPs – Local use of services
 Capacity Building - Being tender-ready