Project Description


Experience over the last five decades suggests that mining contributions to economic development vary greatly across countries. In some, it has been a major engine of development. In others, disputes have erupted over land use, property rights, environmental damage, and revenue sharing. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs implemented through health, economic development, education, and training projects, are increasingly relied upon to manage company-community relations. Yet conflicts persist in many settings, with significant costs for companies and communities. This research will help clarify the characteristics of decision-making processes that enable meaningful and constructive engagement of different stakeholders. They will contribute towards developing the practical wisdom, collective understanding, common sense, and prudence required for the mining sector and community partners to realize the economic potential and social and environmental responsibilities of non–renewable resource development.


This Project combines primary and secondary research techniques. The motive is to derive general lessons, preliminary hypotheses, from the comprehensive literature review to be tested and clarified through primary research in the six mining communities in Canada and the Philippines.
The main Project goal is to raise the quality of the public debate about the mining sector. The knowledge mobilization strategy is designed to ensure that all key audiences are reached. Multiple approaches and communication media will be used.