While nations and multinational corporations profit from mining operations around the world, local communities face the resulting negative impacts. Mining communities have begun to exercise their right to prior informed consent to mining operations, despite skepticism in the international community and business world. However, in December 2003, the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Review endorsed prior informed consent for its projects and private projects.
Prior Informed Consent and Mining: Promoting the Sustainable Development of Local Communities supports the Bank’s recommendation. The report defines the concept of prior informed consent as the right of a community to be informed about mining operations on a full and timely basis and to approve an operation prior to commencement. This includes participation in setting the terms and conditions addressing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of all phases of mining and post-mining operations.