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The Ethics of Space and Time in Mining Projects: Matching Technical Tools with Social Performance

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Abstract

Developing a major extractive project requires a long planning horizon from exploration to project development to operation and closure. Calibrating expectations of indigenous communities with such planning horizons can frequently be a challenge for companies and governments. The physical areas where benefits are manifest on indigenous lands versus more indirect benefits that come through the development of the broader tax base or the economy are often not effectively communicated by development planners. This conceptual study will aim to provide guidance on how best to manage expectations in this context through scenarios, geographic information systems techniques, and a more inclusive economic development planning process.

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Notes

  1. Further details on this service can be found at http://www.bia.gov/WhatWeDo/ServiceOverview/Geospatial/ Accessed, June 10, 2013.

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Acknowledgments

This paper has its origins at the International Symposium on Indigenous Peoples, Economic Empowerment and Agreements with Industry held at the University of Melbourne in June, 2013 as part of the Australian Research. Council’s “Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements Project.” Further refinement of the paper occurred through discussions at the World Mining Congress in August 2013. Special thanks to Julia Keenan for research support for this article.

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  1. Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Saleem H. Ali

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  1. Saleem H. Ali
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Correspondence to Saleem H. Ali.

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Ali, S.H. The Ethics of Space and Time in Mining Projects: Matching Technical Tools with Social Performance. J Bus Ethics 135, 645–651 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2379-1

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