The new reality of mineral development: social and cultural issues in Asia and Pacific nations

The issues surrounding mineral development have changed dramatically within the last decade and the changes associated with dealing with the social and cultural issues surrounding mineral development have seen the greatest change. The result of all of these changes is a "New Reality of Mineral Development" which requires that mineral development be a partnership alliance of industry, government (national and local), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs; national and international) and indigenous peoples, working within the broader context of international treaties and norms, to insure that the exploitation of a nation's resources contributes to sustainable development. Central to achieving the partnership alliance and sustainable development is the requirement that the traditional government-industry alliance of the past becomes an equal partner government-industry-indigenous people NGO alliance for the future: which requires major changes in the philosophy and actions of all participants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.