Sustainability website / Community engagement / Indigenous peoples and cultural heritage

Our Sustainable Development policy sets out our commitment to respect the culture, customs, interests and rights of communities including indigenous peoples and vulnerable or previously disadvantaged groups. We consult with indigenous communities to identify, protect, manage and record culturally significant sites and artefacts. All new mining sites are assessed for cultural significance prior to disturbance in consultation with indigenous people. Cultural heritage management plans are drawn up for identified sites jointly with relevant communities and we provide access to these as necessary. In 2007, Xstrata Nickel completed archaeological and cultural heritage assessments at all major growth projects and has put in place management plans where relevant.

We support a range of initiatives to provide employment opportunities, bursaries, training and enterprise development to indigenous and previously disadvantaged people, in particular at our Peruvian, South African and Australian operations. For example, Mount Isa Mines has partnered with North West Queensland Catholic Indigenous Social Services to implement a total of eight five-week industry-specific mining courses for indigenous people. Approximately 71% of graduates from the programme subsequently obtained employment in the mining industry. This project is now partnering with other local training organisations.

Cultural diversity and awareness training is in place at a number of operations, in particular in Australia, Peru and Canada. In South Africa, Xstrata Alloys is implementing a ‘Vuka Experience’ training programme for all executive and senior operational management. This innovative programme aims to break down barriers of prejudice and foster greater understanding amongst people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The programme is contributing to greater cultural understanding and team building amongst colleagues and the broader community in which we operate in South Africa.

Cultural diversity training programmes are in place at Xstrata’s McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory and Mount Isa Mines in north Queensland is designing a new cultural diversity training programme for employees in 2008. Xstrata Nickel has introduced cultural diversity training programmes for employees and contractors at its Raglan operation in northern Quebec and at its Koniambo and Kabanga projects in New Caledonia and Tanzania respectively.

Resettlement

It is our policy to avoid resettlement wherever possible. Where resettlement is necessary, we adhere to the World Bank Operational Directive on Involuntary Resettlement. We use a range of culturally appropriate, transparent and complete communication methods to ensure immediate and potential future impacts and benefits are understood by those affected.

In 2007, Xstrata Copper’s Tintaya operation in Peru resettled 121 families. Tintaya’s resettlement policy and practices are fully aligned with the World Bank Directive and the resettlement process followed an extensive period of consultation with affected families.

The following operations are planning resettlement or consultation on resettlement in 2008:

• Xstrata Coal South Africa: Goedgevonden and Southstock coal mines
• Xstrata Copper: Las Bambas project, Peru
• Xstrata Coal (non-managed): Cerrejón coal mine, Colombia
• Xstrata Nickel: Kabanga project, Tanzania
• Xstrata Nickel: Falcondo ferronickel operation, Dominican Republic
• Xstrata Alloys: Kaalplaats operation, South Africa.