1. THE WIDER COMMUNITY
Section 1.5 - Resource Extraction
Principles
1.5.P.1
The company conducts the extraction and/or exploitation of
natural resources such as minerals, timber, oil and energy
sources, including hydro-electric power, in such a manner
as to avoid conflict with the human rights, the sustainability
of the environment and the economic survival of national,
local and indigenous communities.
1.5.P.2
The company is careful to control its exploitation, management
and extraction of natural resources, especially non-renewable
resources, in countries where environmental laws and regulations
are inadequate or are improperly enforced, or where there
is protracted internal or regional conflict to which the government
is a party.
1.5.P.3
The company does not make unfettered exploitation of natural
resources, especially non-renewable resources, against the
wishes of national, local or indigenous communities, nor in
such a way that it damages or dramatically changes the ecosystem.
1.5.P.4
The company recognises that resources which it may wish to
extract from a particular area are an asset of that community
and conducts its business in accordance with that recognition.
1.5.P.5
Where the company is engaged in the extraction of natural
resources in zones of conflict it does not engage governmental
or militia forces to provide security but conducts its own
independent security operation.
1.5.P.6
The company, if it is unable to provide proper security for
its workforce in zones of conflict does not enter into an
engagement to conduct such extractive business or if already
engaged, it withdraws from such locations.
1.5.P.7
The company does not engage in resource extraction in highly
vulnerable and nonsustainable communities without ensuring
that its operations are designed to benefit the local community
and monitors the impact of its engagement.
Criteria
1.5.C.1
The company ensures that its policies in regard to resource
extraction do not infringe the human rights of local populations
and do not contravene local laws and regulations.
1.5.C.2
The company only proceeds to extract natural resources in
situations where their renewal is guaranteed or where, in
the case of non-renewable resources, it has made provision
for the creation of sustainable alternatives.
1.5.C.3
The company has a strategy whereby proper compensation for
the extraction of resources is made to all the relevant national,
local and indigenous communities for the acquisition of their
assets.
1.5.C.4
In instances where the extraction of resources either, violates
human rights or where the extraction can only be carried forward
with the aid of military intervention in zones of conflict,
the company does not proceed with the work programme.
1.5.C.5
The company publicly discloses all royalties, taxes, fees,
payments and any other revenue paid to state or parastatal
partners as derived from project partnerships.
1.5.C.6
The company does not contract with or collaborate with governmental
military authorities or with local militias to facilitate
the extraction of natural resources.
1.5.C.7
A company which is engaged in resource extraction, on discovering
previously unknown vulnerabilities or non-sustainable situations
immediately seeks to withdraw in such a way as to ensure that
these works are not proceeded with by other agencies or companies.
1.5.C.8
The company has a consultation and appraisal process in place
that involves all local communities where new developments
of resource extraction are contemplated.
Bench Marks
1.5.B.1
The company, in its endeavours to ensure the human rights of the peoples who
live where it is extracting natural resources, has policies that specifically
ensure the human rights of communities within the terms of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and its two covenants and the International Labour Organisation's
standards.
1.5.B.2
The company ensures that when extracting non-renewable resources
it creates and puts in place alternative and sustainable benefits
for the future of the community in which it is operating.
1.5.B.3
The company has an agreed policy whereby compensation for
the removal of natural, nonrenewable assets is fully paid.
1.5.B.4
The company has in place performance standards for the monitoring
of the extraction of natural and especially non-renewable
resources.
1.5.B.5
The company, as a minimum, adheres to the Voluntary Principles
on Security and Human Rights to ensure respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms in their security operations.
1.5.B.6
The company has in place policies that prohibit it from accepting
protection from governmental military forces or from local
militias.