Chapter 10

10. ARD Communication & Consultation
Last Update: June 2009

GARD Guide Chapter 10

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The level of knowledge of ARD generation and mitigation has increased dramatically over the last few decades within the mining industry, academia and regulatory agencies. However, for this knowledge to be meaningful to the wide range of stakeholders generally involved with a mining project, it needs to be translated into a format that can be readily understood.

Communicating and consulting with stakeholders about ARD issues is essential to the company’s social license to operate. Due to the generally highly visible nature of ARD, special measures and skilled people are needed to communicate effectively, and the involvement of representatives from all relevant technical disciplines in a mining company may be required.

This section provides guidance to mining companies in their internal communication, external communication, and consultation with neighbouring communities, regulators, and other stakeholders about ARD during the life of a mine. This section should also be of use to governments, NGO's and other stakeholders to establish what is best practice management of ARD and provide examples of communication and consultation initiatives. The emphasis is on communication and consultation initiatives during the early stage of a project to cultivate proactive relationships that can serve as "capital" during more challenging times.

Table of Contents

  • 10.0 Acid Rock Drainage Communication and Consulting
  • 10.l Introduction
  • I0.2 Why Communicate and Consult About Acid Rock Drainage?
    • 10.2.1 Stakeholder Perceptions About Acid Rock Drainage
    • 10.2.2 Benefits of Communication and Consultation About Acid Rock Drainage
  • 10.3 Mining Disciplines Involved in Acid Rock Drainage Management and Communication
    • 10.3.1 Integration of Functions
  • 10.4 Planning Communication and Consultation on Acid Rock Drainage
    • 10.4.1 The Focus of Consulting and Communication
    • 10.4.2 Regulatory and Other Requirements for Communication and Consultation
    • 10.4.3 Tailor Objectives of Stakeholder Engagement to the Situation at Hand
  • 10.5 Communication and Consultation About Acid Rock Drainage for Each Mining Phase
  • 10.6 Good-Practice Principles and Approaches
    • 10.6.1 Inclusive Engagement
    • 10.6.2 Get in Early
    • 10.6.3 Be Respectful to People and Cultural Norms
    • 10.6.4 Accessible and Transparent Information
    • 10.6.5 Ongoing Feedback and Acknowledgment
    • 10.6.6 Dispute Management and Resolution
    • 10.6.7 Principles of Risk Communication
  • 10.7 Responsibilities of Regulators
  • 10.8 Guidelines for Acid Rock Drainage Reporting
  • 10.9 References
  • List of Tables
  • List of Figures