Community relations fundamentals
Rio Tinto businesses implement the communities policy through a clear objective and rolling five year community plans which are updated annually. The plans apply throughout the life cycle of the Group's activities from exploration to mine closure. Systematic attention to baseline studies, two way community and local stakeholder consultation and delivery of socio-economic programmes has improved the strength and quality of the programmes, and hence the benefits provided.
Our Communities standard is actively implemented across the Group, to ensure consistent performance in the design and implementation of the communities policy. The standard sets out the requirements businesses need to consider in the areas of five year communities plans, cultural heritage, baseline communities assessments, consultation and community assistance. Additional requirements cover monitoring and reporting, and community relations management. Rio Tinto has developed guidance notes on each of these topics to assist business in meeting the requirements set out in the Communities standard.
In 2005, a new internal assurance mechanism was piloted to assess the health of relationships with communities. This will be launched across the Group in 2006. Site Managed Assessments (SMA) have been designed primarily to ensure businesses are implementing the Communities policy and Communities standard. Verifying actual performance against claimed achievement is important in securing and maintaining community support and confidence.
Based on a three year cycle, or triggered by an identified need, the SMA is intended to independently assess businesses's implementation of the Communities policy. Based on a three year cycle, or triggered by an identified need, the SMA is intended to independently assess businesses. This covers a business' engagement and commitments with their affected communities. It should identify for management any actual and potential problems, and also areas for improvement. Rio Tinto believes this is best managed by businesses themselves. Rio Tinto will ensure that the process is transparent, credible and verifiable.
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