SMI respects the traditional rights and cultural heritage of indigenous people, recognising that these people have a distinct ethnic identity and are often historically disadvantaged. We ensure that indigenous and other historically disadvantaged groups are properly identified in stakeholder engagement. At the Tampakan Project we structure our engagement activities in a manner that is culturally appropriate and facilitate the active involvement of indigenous peoples in consultation, including capacity building initiatives where necessary or appropriate.

Tribal communities in the Tampakan Project area currently hold Certificates of Ancestral Domain Claim.  For these communities to acquire the same rights as private property owners, they need to complete a legal claim over their land through the conversion of their claims into ancestral domain titles.  In 2007, we provided financial and logistical support to the communities, and worked closely with the National Commission on Indigenous People to facilitate the conversion of their claims. The title conversions are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2008.

We have also engaged specialist consultants to work in partnership with the local governments of Columbio and Tampakan to establish a process for identifying local communities’ land rights through Comprehensive Land Use and Development Plans.

Principal Agreements

SMI has signed Principal Agreements with host communities and Local Government Units (LGUs) within the project area. The agreements comprehensively outline SMI’s financial commitments and obligations to the local community. They focus on:

• Compensation payments for disturbance caused by the development of the project;
• A framework for resettlement and relocation of those members of the local community directly affected by the development of the project;
• A framework and financial commitment for community development; and
• The general commitments of both parties.

As well as demonstrating responsible mining best practice by formalising SMI’s commitment to community development, the agreements fulfill our legal obligations to the local community under Philippine law.    

Currently, we have signed agreements across five local B’laan communities (Danlag, Fulobato, S’banken, Salnaong and Bong Mal), five barangays (Danlag, Tablu, Pulabato, Datalblao, and Kimlawis) and three municipalities (Tampakan, Columbio and Kiblawan).