A New Project Is Using Technology to Take a Step Forward in Community Relations
“This is how we can become the most valued industrial sector that offers real and sustainable social and economic benefits for our core stakeholders."
That spirit of service is informing new work at Anglo American, which seeks to systematically understand what communities think of the business. And, in turn, the team hopes to draw out lessons that will help Anglo American serve communities better.
Called ‘Connected Communities’, the project is using mobile phone technology and social media to measure how stakeholders view an operation.
The mobile phone surveys will comprise of six monthly questions, covering a range of issues – from impact management to being a good neighbour. Community perceptions of the mine are provided on a real-time basis, allowing for quicker feedback cycles and a deeper understanding of Anglo American’s relationship with its local stakeholders.
Once feedback from the surveys is received, Anglo American will communicate directly with the community – through face-to-face engagement, social media and more traditional channels – to better understand the issues or identify opportunities.
“The surveys and social media conversations will help us understand concerns of local communities,” said Taylor Burns, External Communications Specialist at Anglo American. “We are trying to extend and deepen our relationships, using the new technologies at our disposal. Part of our vision for FutureSmart MiningTM.”
Anglo American operations will be encouraged to provide feedback sessions – both virtual and in-person – which give community members an opportunity to expand on the responses they gave during the survey, as well as provide input to the design of measures that address their concerns and expectations.
“The opportunity for discussion is extremely valuable and a big part of why we’re doing this work,” said Laura Brooks, Head of Corporate Relations Integration at Anglo American. “It’s the beginning of a conversation – a directional signpost that tells us where we need to look and what we need to address – helping inform our ongoing dialogue in the communities in which we operate.”
In 2017, the project will be rolled out to 11 sites: seven in South Africa, two in Brazil, one in Chile and one in Peru. Registration for the first surveys began on July 21, 2017, at Mogalakwena mine in Limpopo, South Africa.
