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MINING FOR CLOSURE
35
tion considered by industrial interests to be “dan-
gerous” to a definitive stakeholder when it acquired
legitimacy via success in free national elections).
Certainly in a mining context, the ability of parties
such as NGOs – even small local NGOs – to broad-
cast their issues (via the internet for example) and
to rally support from a diverse range of actors has
grown markedly in recent years (Antypas, 2005).
When powerful and influential actors take up their
issues such stakeholders can become definitive.
Finally, it is important to note that social actors
generally exist that have none of the important at-
tributes at a certain point in time. This does not
imply however, that they will not at some stage ac-
quire one or more attributes. The class of potential
stakeholders is real and can evolve into an active
category at any time.
3.2
The motivations for inclusion of Section 3 in this
document have been threefold. Firstly, it is consid-
ered valuable to provide an outline of the manner
in which stakeholders may have salience to a min-
ing development or abandoned or orphaned site.
In this case, the three determinants power, legiti-
macy and urgency have been utilised. Secondly, it
has been sought to provide a manner in which to
map stakeholders. Here a diagrammatic represen-
tation has been utilised for that purpose (after the
work of Mitchell, 1997). Thirdly, it has been sought
to show in some small way, the pathways via which
stakeholders can gain such ascendancy that they
have the means to dictate the manner course that
a mining development might take – particularly in
situations where they consider that the mining ac-
tivities or their legacies affect their lives negatively.
As an example of this in a mining context, Figure
3.2 indicates a theoretical transition to a definitive
position by a dependent community near a mining
activity. Here, their urgent and legitimate claims
against a mining activity are brought to the notice
of, and taken up by dominant stakeholders. In this
instance power is provided then by senior politi-
cians or international NGOs – actors who have the
power to force changes, but who until this point did
not perceive the issue to have urgency. Such a proc-
ess has been facilitated in this theoretical case, by
demanding stakeholders such as National NGOs
who lack the legitimate claim of the local commu-
nities but can amplify the voice of the community
– and who through the community, may also find a
legitimate platform for their opposition to a devel-
opment. Parallels to such a migration of influence
can be found in mining and other industrial set-
tings all around the world.
Figure 3.2
Transformation from a dependant into a
definitive
stakeholder
Assuch,thematerialinthissectionshould,
interalia
:
help clarify who can be important to the con-
duct of mining activities;
help clarify why such actors are motivated
and/or active – or dormant;
heighten awareness amongst miners and deci-
sion-makers of what can happen;
provide understanding of how such events can
transpire – e.g. the manner in which control
of natural mineral resources can be lost or
projects delayed.
In the context of
Mining for Closure
, a mapping of
the relevant stakeholders with clearly identified
parameters of salience is intended to help clarify
those consequences that may arise if
best environ-
mental practice for mining
is not carried out, if the
underlying motivations for
Mining for Closure
are
not clearly communicated to constituencies, and
if effective dialogue with affected stakeholders is
not achieved. Conversely, these conceptual frames
should help clarify the benefits of mining best en-
vironmental practice, clear communication and
awareness of constituencies.
stakeholders & the
potential use of
this document
Dormant
e.g. international NGOs &
senior governmental actors
Demanding
e.g. anti-developers &
single interest groups
Discretionary
Dominant
Dependent
e.g. affected
citizens/commun-
ities & nature
Dangerous
Definitive
POWER
LEGITIMACY
URGENCY
Pathways for affected
communities to become
definitive
POWER
URGENCY
•
•
•
•