Mining

How Might Companies Change their Approach to Community Investment?

A classic Latin American story repeats itself from project to project: Rural people play the role of the Victim. Outsiders, like mining companies, fall into the role of Villain. Discussions polarize. Local people feel powerless. They see the Villain as a threat to land and culture, a threat to power. Local organizations emerge as defenders of the community. The community rises against the Villain to become the Hero. The Hero defends the community against the Villain. Sometimes, the person or people in the Hero Role, take action to protect the community leader’s power (not just or, even instead of, the community).