Finalist #1: Erdene Resource Development Corporation
Country where project(s) are located: Mongolia
Project overview:
Erdene launched the Shinejinst Support Project in January 2009 to provide grants, goods and services to the people of Shinejinst, the administrative district of southwestern Mongolia within which Erdene’s Zuun Mod porphyry exploration program is located.
This project emerged through consultative meetings with local stakeholders and Erdene’s previous experience supporting community development in Shinejinst. By expanding public participation, better supporting locally led initiatives and promoting environmental education, project stakeholders were able to address their most pressing community development challenges in 2009.
Erdene’s approach to sustainability begins with its local stakeholders and staff. Relationships are at the core of business operations in Mongolia, helping to shape the company’s contributions to local economies and community development.
Finalist #2:MMG
Country where project(s) are located: Laos PDR
Project overview:
MMG is helping to build knowledge about local cultural heritage and preserve artefacts discovered in the Vilabouly community surrounding MMG’s Sepon gold and copper operations. The initiative is a partnership with the Government of Laos and James Cook University in Australia. The project has revealed a 2000 year association between Vilabouly and mining and metal production.
The activities are helping to raise awareness of the areas significant historical importance, in a place where local historical knowledge has largely been lost due to the impact of war on the local population. In addition, the initiative encompasses researching and promoting the living cultural heritage and practices of the local communities.
Beyond the contribution to local cultural identity, the initiative aims to rediscover Vilabouly’s place in Lao history as well as gain recognition of the site’s importance to the study of ancient Asian civilisations. The benefits of the initiative, such as sustained international academic interest, niche tourism potential and enhanced community cohesiveness and pride, will outlast mining operations and play a significant role in shaping Vilabouly’s future post mine-closure.
Finalist #3: Nautilus Minerals
Country where project(s) are located: Papua New Guinea
In 2007, Nautilus Minerals established its CARES program (Community Accountable, Responsible Environmentally, Safe). A guiding principle of our company, CARES ensures we behave in a responsible manner in every facet of our operations. Through CARES we are committed to establishing best practice social, environmental, and health and safety standards for the new seafloor resource production industry. Transparency is a key aspect of CARES, as can be seen on the program website
www.cares.nautilusminerals.com and in publication of the complete Solwara 1 Environmental Impact Assessment documents and supporting studies.
Finalist #4: TVI Pacific
Country where project(s) are located: Philippines
TVIRD’s design of its Sustainable Livelihood initiatives under its Quadrants of Development involves an assessment of community assets, adaptive strategies and technologies, and the analysis of policies and investment requirements, to enhance livelihood opportunities of beneficiaries.
The Company believes that livelihood can be sustainable if it can cope with and recover from stress (such as, for instance, the end of the mine life), maintain and enhance its capabilities, and provide sustainable opportunities for the next generation.
TVIRD’s Sustainable Livelihood approach takes into consideration the community's strengths. This approach acknowledges that communities are both catalysts and subjects of change and that they have much strength and much knowledge about their own situation. This approach places a strong emphasis on sustainability in terms of economics, the environment and the social well being of people in the community. It uses empowerment rather than welfare, improves the productivity of existing livelihood systems and creates new opportunities on a sustainable basis.
TVIRD recognizes that an improved management of operations that actively seeks to develop partnerships with host communities is a key aspect for ensuring further growth. Thus, the Company’s Social Commitment Policy has evolved to state:
TVIRD is committed to exploration and mining practices that promote transparency, responsible stewardship of the environment, and the inalienable rights to life, dignity, and sustainable development in its host communities.
Finalist #5: PanAust
Country where project(s) are located: Lao PDR
Through PanAust’s community development initiative – The 2008/09 Livelihood
Improvement Program – rural villagers in Laos are realising income generating opportunities that are both substantial and sustainable thanks to the presence of PanAust and its firm commitment to community development strategies that work with and for local people to make their lives better.
To enable the committee’s ideas and plans, PanAust established the Community
Development Fund (CDF) – a source of funds replenished annually (currently US$300,000).
While the Community Development Board and sub‐committee are responsible for allocating the fund, the Village Development Committee represents the interests of the local communities and provides advice and guidance to the committee accordingly.
