Community Agreements and Mining: A New Frontier for Social Impact Investments

One Earth Future Foundation and RTC Impact Fund developed this study to explore the role that an impact investment fund may have in the negotiation of mining-related community agreements. This analysis is based on a review of relevant literature and interviews with stakeholders in select jurisdictions with specific focus on the Philippines, where the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous communities to mining is legally required.

Key Findings

Capacity-building for communities is necessary for mining-related agreements to be effective and sustainable. Social impact investments and program-related investments can provide communities with access and financing in the negotiation of community agreements, which would empower communities to assert their rights, negotiate for their interests, strengthen capacity to monitor projects and manage revenue, and generally maximize the benefits of mining projects over the long term.