This research explores key internal determinants of mining company responses to disputes and grievances involving communities. Highlighted is a practical 'what works' and 'what doesn't' framework for responsible grievance handling. "A significant body of literature exists about the effects and impacts of mining on local communities. Less well understood are the internal dynamics and decision pathways within companies for handling grievances and disputes. As a first step towards addressing this knowledge gap, the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) and the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative (CSRI) agreed to collaborate on an exploratory research project. The primary aim was to build knowledge about the way mining companies function internally to handle community grievances and community-company disputes. The research covered a full range of disputes from day-to-day problems through to those that become high-profile legal cases and/or feature in media campaigns. Questions that guided the research were as follows: How does the industry currently think about community grievances? What requirements are in place at the corporate-level in relation to grievance handling and to what extent are they implemented? What are the key grievance pathways within mining companies? In what ways is the industry focused on change in this area? What organisational barriers and enabling factors exist for responsible grievance handling by mining companies?"

Publisher: CSRM & Harvard Kennedy School

Region: Global

Type: Report

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Mining industry perspectives on handling community grievances: a summary
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Mining industry perspectives on handling community grievances: a summary