Since 2012, RESOLVE has facilitated the FPIC Solutions Dialogue, a group of civil
society organizations, extractives companies, and indigenous networks developing
practical guidance to support FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) community
processes throughout the life of extractive projects.
One element of the Dialogue’s activities is to explore FPIC-related
issues where understanding or awareness may be limited or lacking – such as how
a community might be impacted when an extractive project closes after a number
of years in operation. To initiate this discussion, the Dialogue held a webinar
in 2019. Prof. Deanna Kemp (University of
Queensland and RESOLVE
Natural Resources and Energy Leadership Council member), kicked off the
discussion with an overview of the kinds of issues that arise in closure which
can impact communities, and introduced a new research initiative to collect
further data and insights on some of these issues.
The University of Queensland, an FPIC Dialogue member, has
formed the three-year “Social Aspects of Mine Closure Research Consortium” with
several industry partners to research the social, political, and economic
dynamics associated with mine closure and related transitions for communities.
The consortium has several projects in development, with some initial outcomes
expected in early 2020. To learn more about the consortium, please visit this website.
A recording of the full presentation is publicly available here. We look forward to continuing to
work with our partners in the Dialogue to develop guidance on FPIC
considerations in project closure, and to receive updates on the consortium’s
broader research on social impacts and how to maximize community benefit. To
learn more about the Dialogue, please visit our project website or contact Taylor Kennedy.