Engaging Stakeholders to Support Sustainable Outcomes from Mining: New Models for Mine Design



There is growing acceptance in the mineral exploration and mining sector that early engagement with communities surrounding mineral resources is a key to successful project development.  Talking to people with local knowledge is recognized by many industry personnel as a way to identify areas of mutual interest and the points of intersection between the needs of local communities and of the mining company.  If that input is secured during the mine design stage is there an opportunity to develop core infrastructure – for example, water, roads and energy – in a manner that delivers benefit to both the mine and the community?

UBC researchers from the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Norman B Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering are investigating community engagement strategies to assess which approaches are most effective for enabling project stakeholders to provide input to mine planners as engineering design decisions are being made.  The research project is funded by a SSHRC Partnership Engage grant.  The industry partner for the project is Erdene Resource Development Corp., a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in Mongolia.

Click here to read the research project fact sheet.