Innovations in Social Impact Assessment and Monitoring for the Resources Sector

The Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at the University of Queensland in association with ACMER (formerly the Australian Centre for Minerals Extension and Research) are hosting a workshop on emerging issues in social impact assessment and monitoring relevant to the mining, petroleum, infrastructure, development and natural resource management sectors. The workshop is an opportunity for practitioners to discuss innovations in theory and practice with specialists from industry, government and the research community.

According to the program outline:

In an environment of rapidly changing operating conditions and community expectations, the effective ongoing assessment and monitoring of social and economic impacts is critical for understanding and managing key social risks and opportunities. Leading organisations are moving beyond compliance to utilise social assessment techniques across the life-cycle of projects.

This workshop presents a unique opportunity for government, industry, professional consultants and non-government practitioners to interact with an exceptional field of specialists. It provides an opportunity to traverse emerging issues in social impact assessment and monitoring relevant to the mining, petroleum, infrastructure, development and natural resource management sectors.

Presentations, aimed at a practitioner audience, will highlight innovations in policy and industry frameworks, theory and practice and cover topics such as baseline assessments, indigenous engagement, cumulative impacts, economic impacts and benefits, community engagement, monitoring and indicators, and the impacts of decommissioning and mine closure. Case studies will illustrate examples in a practical context.

The workshop will be held in Brisbane on the 1st and 2nd of April, 2009.

For more information on the event including registration details please click here.

For a preliminary program click here.