This document discusses international best practices for the role of local governments in multi-stakeholder collaboration for socially responsible mining and sustainable community development. It outlines how mining can impact and provide opportunities for local communities. The roles local governments could play are discussed, including as a service provider, advocate, approver, and partner. However, many local governments have limited capacity and capabilities to effectively participate. Suggestions are provided to strengthen local governments' involvement, such as requiring company consultation, education, training, and technical support. An example from Australia shows how one local council and mining company collaborated on economic diversification planning.

1. International best practices on the role of local
governments in multi-stakeholder collaboration
for socially accountable mining and
sustainable community development
Professor David Brereton
Deputy Director – Research Integration
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3. The Sustainable Minerals Institute: What we do

4. Presentation outline
• Mining – impacts and opportunities for local communities
• What should be the role of local government
• Making local government more effective
• How to involve local government more in the development
process
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5. A story from Australia: The Claremont
Preferred Futures Project

6. Overview of the Claremont initiative
• A collaboration between the local council and the company to
better prepare the town for upcoming mine closure
• Preferred Futures Steering Committee formed under the
guidance of the local Council and funded by the company
• Role of the Committee was to develop a strategy to broaden the
town’s economic base
• Conducted socio-economic research and a community visioning
process to inform the strategy
• Company and local government agreed to jointly fund a
Community Development Officer to fund the strategy
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7. Large-scale mining: impacts and opportunities
Potential Impacts
Population influx
Increased economic activity
Increased demand on services (schools, health, etc)
Increased pressure on infrastructure (e.g. roads)
Social changes
Environmental impacts
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8. Large-scale mining: impacts and opportunities
Opportunities
Expand the revenue base
Create new opportunities for local business
Increase employment opportunities
Improve infrastructure and services
Access funding for social programs
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9. Maximising value from mining projects: what to
avoid

10. Maximising value from mining projects: what to
work for

11. What we should be aiming for local
communities?
• improved quality of life
• protection of the environment
• more opportunities for people
• stronger institutions
• economic diversification
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12. Potential roles for local government
Representer
Service
&
Provider
Advocate
Broker/
Approver Partner
Facilitator

13. The reality
• In most mining economies, local government has little or no
regulatory authority over mining projects
– reliance on influence and persuasion, rather than direction
• Local governments are mostly focused on service delivery and
are often hindered by limited funding and capacity
• Local governments often do not do a good job of representing
their communities with companies and government
• There are examples of partnerships between local government
and companies, but they are not common
– limited capacity of local government
– lack of interest from mining companies
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14. What capabilities does local government need
to play a more active role in community
development?
• Understanding of • Consultation
development principles
• Communication
• Revenue management
• Collaboration
• Program planning and
implementation
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15. Common problems with local government
• Lack of capacity
– too few personnel, limited knowledge & skills, inadequate funding
• Unrepresentativeness
– Dominated by a few individuals and groups; does not speak for the
broader community
• Corruption and graft
– funding used for personal gain instead of intended purpose
– favouritism in decision-making
• Politicisation
– Short term political goals of representatives dominate over longer
term community interests
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16. Some suggested responses
• Funding arrangements
– Too much money, too quickly, is not a good thing
• Require companies to consult with local government in conducting
baselines & SIAs, and when developing community plans
• Citizen education
• Training of local government officials and representatives
• Technical facility to support development of management systems etc.
• Companies to make their management expertise available
• Specialist advisers
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17. Thankyou!
d.brereton@smi.uq.edu au
www.csrm.uq.edu.au
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