How and why engage community in the Australian mining industry? Combining institutional and stakeholder perspectives

Community engagement has become a crucial part of mining operation in the global mining industry. This paper examines the approaches and motivations of community engagement by an Australian mining company. Data were collected from multiple sources, including interviews with three managers responsible for the company's community engagement, seven community leaders, and a field visit to its mine site. It is found that 1) community engagement strategy has been developed after carefully analysing stakeholder expectations and internal context; 2) several distinctive approaches, such as partnering with government and NGOs, leveraging its power with contractors, and based on organisation's resources, have been adopted; and 3) pressure from stakeholders and institutions are the key forces influencing its community engagement strategy, approaches and initiatives.