Good Practice Guide to Indigenous Peoples and Mining

This guide and its practical tools help companies:

• Recognise and respect that Indigenous Peoples have distinct rights and interests

• Understand that through law and/or custom, Indigenous People often have a special relationship to the land, territories and resources

• Utilise forms of engagements that are sensitive to cultural characteristics eg governance structures, interaction and decision making

• Understand that free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) should be regarded as a “principle to be respected to the greatest degree possible in development planning and implementation”

• Address issues requiring special attention to the interests and rights of indigenous groups

• Understand that historically, Indigenous Peoples have been disadvantaged, discriminated against and dispossessed of their land.

They are more likely to be vulnerable to negative impacts from developments, particularly those that adversely impact culture and natural resources.