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Task 2 – Conduct stakeholder engagement

Contents in this section:

Cultural heritage is a sensitive topic for many communities and affected stakeholders are the best (and sometimes only) source of information. Their perspectives are critical to identifying cultural heritage and the development of appropriate mitigation measures.

Section 3A provides detailed guidance on consulting with stakeholders. Where relevant, consultations focused on cultural heritage should be included in the SEP.

A coherent, standardised message about cultural heritage management should be developed by the social performance team prior to the commencement of stakeholder engagement activities to ensure that a consistent message is communicated to stakeholders. This message should include the mitigation hierarchy of avoid, minimise, mitigate and, as a last resort, remediate. It is important to demonstrate that every reasonable effort will be made to respect a community’s cultural heritage.

Other key messages include:

  • Anglo American’s policies and commitments regarding cultural heritage management, i.e. Social Way requirements and this guidance
  • Information on the site and potential impacts
  • The community’s legal rights in relation to the potentially affected cultural heritage.

Box 4H.3 Key stakeholders

  • Historical or traditional users and owners of cultural heritage
  • Traditional communities embodying traditional lifestyles
  • Religious leaders from affected communities
  • Representatives from the affected community, including elders, leaders, women and youth
  • Relevant authorities (the government agency responsible for cultural heritage)
  • National and local museums, cultural and academic institutions
  • Civil society concerned with cultural heritage or historical preservation.

A social performance team member with an established relationship with local stakeholders (rather than the most subject expertise) may be best placed to engage on cultural heritage topics.

The individual with the most technical knowledge of cultural heritage is best suited to liaise with other external stakeholders, including relevant authorities and cultural and academic institutions.

In some cases, it may be necessary to involve a third-party organisation – representative of or affiliated to the community in question – particularly in cases where there is sensitivity around discussing rituals or ceremonies with outsiders.

Newly identified cultural heritage sites, particularly sites used for rituals, should be corroborated by different stakeholders to triangulate findings and prevent speculation (i.e. the identification of false sites in the hope of compensation). Triangulation must be done in collaboration with the appropriate authorities. These sites should be assessed by a suitably qualified cultural heritage specialist to determine their significance.

Box 4H.4 Inclusion and diversity

As part of social performance review and planning (see Section 2), sites are required to identify systemic vulnerability (i.e. individuals or groups with a reduced or compromised ability to realise or maintain a sustainable livelihood).

As part of the annual SEP (see Section 3A), sites should identify those excluded or inhibited from meaningful participation. Special efforts may need to be taken to ensure their inclusion.

Section 3A provides specific guidance on engaging with women and vulnerable groups. In respect of cultural heritage specifically, this includes:

  • ensuring adequate input from all affected stakeholders during baseline data collection and CHMP development.
  • recognising that some forms of intangible cultural heritage may be practised exclusively by women, the elderly or the youth, and that their inputs are required for the identification of this type of heritage.
  • acknowledging that community members experience cultural heritage in different ways, that understanding these differences is an important component of successful cultural heritage management, and that this should be highlighted in the CHMP.
  • being aware of possible conflict between respect for cultural heritage and respect for human (often women’s) rights, particularly in the context of intangible heritage. For example, female genital mutilation is a breach of universal human rights norms and should thus not be considered intangible heritage requiring preservation. In less extreme examples, intangible cultural heritage may be discriminatory based on sex, age, religion or race. If in doubt, the social performance team should seek guidance from a suitably qualified professional to understand the origins and purpose of the practice in question, and how to manage it in an appropriate manner.

As part of cultural heritage management, sites should identify specific vulnerability, for example critical or non-replicable cultural heritage or communities who may be more severely affected by adverse impacts on cultural heritage. This is especially relevant in relation to intangible cultural heritage where the impacts may be less visible and more gradual and where the customs and traditions of minority groups may be under threat.

4H.2 Guidance | Plan
4.Impact and risk prevention and management  |  4H Cultural heritage  |  4H.2 Guidance  |  Plan