Mining and metals, Canada Social baseline study and action plan for a gold mine in Ontario

Summary

EEM was hired to conduct a social baseline study to meet the requirements of a mining company’s sustainability management system and develop an action plan with recommendations for future community consultation activities. This work allows the client to benchmark its community relations performance and assess the social impacts of its operations over time. Deliverables included the baseline study, a stakeholder map, a social risk and opportunity assessment map, and a community relations action plan.

Approach and Solution

This work entailed conducting background research using a variety of sources and conducting interviews with First Nations, municipal government officials, health services providers and company employees in order to conduct a gap analysis that benchmarked site performance against the company’s internal management system and industry best practice.

Results

The social baseline study is an important point of reference for assessing social performance at the site moving forward. The social risk and opportunity assessment map and community relations action plan provided practical suggestions about community relations planning, local procurement and employment, and key performance indicators that the client can integrate into its management system as part of continuous improvement efforts.