CSR Seminar, Corporate Social Responsibility, December 9 th 2008, Santiago, Chile

Canada’s Natural Resources – Now and for the Future 1

Multi-stakeholder dialogue and community capacity building: leading practices and tools

Nathalie Ross, Minerals and Metals Sector, Natural Resources Canada

CSR Seminar, Corporate Social Responsibility, December 9th 2008, Santiago, Chile


185 mining reliant communities Socio-economic

development and job creation Major employer

363,000 Canadians in all stages across Canada

Canada’s Minerals and MetalsIndustry…

…is a major contributor to the economy…

Employment, training and transferable skills Direct and indirect economic and business opportunities Improvements in community infrastructure and social fabric

…and also benefits Aboriginal communities in Canada


Mining practices in Canada and Aboriginal participation

Environmental practices Companies must meet all environmental

standards and laws Mining industry adopted voluntary guidelines

and protocols for responsible development

Aboriginal engagement Consultation and project review allow

Aboriginal people to express concerns, give input and develop shared solutions.

Early dialogue is the best way to successful partnership

Traditional knowledge can help with informed decisions on environmental protection


Aboriginal involvement in decision-making related to

mining projects The situation has advanced in the last decade Today, Aboriginal are engaged in the mining sector through:

Legal Duty to consult and accommodate should Aboriginal and Treaty rights be impacted

Consultation guidelines/protocols in many provinces/territories

Voluntary Aboriginal policies and codes of conduct adopted by companies (“good business practices”)

Tools developed by industry associations to assist companies


Partnership agreements are key to increasing Aboriginal participation in the mining sector …

Exploration Phase: Exploration agreements/MOUs are on the

rise Provide framework for Aboriginal

participation (employment, training and business opportunities)

Production Phase: Impact and Benefits Agreements are

common practice A way to strengthen relationships and

partnerships A flexible tool for managing impacts and

maximizing benefits More than 40 IBAs signed

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Aboriginal Participation in Mining - Agreements


Why are IBAs negotiated?Good practice by the mining industry

on a voluntary basis (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Can improve project investment climate

Required in a few instances (Settled Land Claims Agreements)

Aboriginal Participation in Mining – Agreements (e.g. IBAs)


Economic and business opportunities Priority contracts to local businesses, assistance in

developing local businesses)

Employment and training Social, cultural and community support Financial provisions Environmental protection

Post-closure wellness strategy Heritage protection Dispute resolution

What are the main provisions included in IBAs:

Aboriginal Participation in Mining – Impacts & Benefits Agreements


Diavik Diamond Mines Inc./ Diamonds (Northwest Territories) Goods/services purchased from

Aboriginal companies

- +$1 billion spending with

Aboriginal businesses Scholarships ($1.2 M since 2001) Aboriginal employment strategy 40% Aboriginal Workforce



Raglan Mine, Xstrata/ Nickel-copper Profit sharing Goods and services purchased

from local Aboriginal suppliers Target Inuit workforce Inuit Training Plan - (to employ Inuit

at all skills levels) Education Fund Traditional Inuit knowledge used

in setting shipping season

(www.xstrata.com)



Cooperation between the mining industry and Aboriginal communities

In March 2008, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada has signed a historical agreement (MoU) with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) that: Complements the growing relationships between First Nations

and Canada’s major mining companies Lays the foundation for cooperation between the two

organizations

The Mining Association of Canada has also entered into a dialogue for the development of a MOU with the AFN on a new partnership related to sustainable development

In resource development, First nations and the mining community are natural partners…


Mining industry (associations) Aboriginal communities and organizations Other federal departments (e.g. DFAIT) Provincial/territorial governments

Natural Resources Canada/Minerals and Metals –

Mandate, PartnersNRCan/MMS …

Encourages dialogue and partnerships between the mining industry, Aboriginal groups and governments

Promotes capacity-building and economic and business development Supports environmentally and socially responsible mineral development Generates information products and tools for sound decision-making

…working in collaboration with various partners


Mining Video: Our Community…Our Future: Mining and Aboriginal Communities

Information Bulletins on Mining and Aboriginal Peoples

Check List for Mineral Companies

Map of Agreements Mining Information Kit for

Aboriginal Communities

Natural Resources Canada/Minerals and Metals Sector –Information and Tools

Help build community understanding of mining through dissemination of information/tools such as:


Natural Resources Canada/Minerals and Metals Sector – Initiatives and Tools

“Mining Information Kit for Aboriginal Communities” Four modules: Mineral Exploration, Mine

Development, Mine Operation, Mine Closure Content:

- Description of activities

- Opportunities to get involved

- Acts and regulations

- Environmental and social impacts

- Employment and business opportunities

- Community experiences

(www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/abor-auto/mine-kit_e.htm)


Natural Resources Canada/Minerals and Metals Sector – Activities and Tools

Peru

Mexico

Mali, DRC

Norway

Philippines

Australia

New Caledonia

Ecuador



Exploracion mineraDesarrollo de minasOperacion mineraCierre de minas



Five leaflets targeting local communities

Communication tool to promote a better understanding

Provide balanced information to enhance dialogue between communities and companies


Philippines Capacity-building workshops for

the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples andlocal Indigenous cultural communities

Other countries Presentations on Aboriginal community

engagement in the Canadian mining sector


Contributing to capacity building in Canada and other countries…

…and helping Indigenous communities make informed decisions

Representatives of the National Commission for Indigenous peoples (NCIP). Photo: NCIP


Mining can make a significant contribution to the prosperity of Aboriginal communities in Canada and elsewhere

Early engagement can lead to greater community support and a positive investment climate

Agreements provide a basis for mutually beneficial, long-term relationships

Building community understanding and capacity through sharing of information and tools.

Canadian approach can be exported but needs to be adapted to specific context (political, economical, social…)

Thoughts To Take Away…


For more information:

Visit our Website: Natural Resources Canada/

Minerals and Metals Sector: (www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms)

Or send an email to: [email protected]

Thank you!

CSR Seminar, Corporate Social Responsibility, December 9 th 2008, Santiago, Chile

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Transcript of CSR Seminar, Corporate Social Responsibility, December 9 th 2008, Santiago, Chile