IGF Case Study: The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development emphasizes the role of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in managing mining projects, specifically focusing on the necessity of community consultation and engagement to avoid conflict and secure a social licence to operate.

• Environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) serve as critical tools for governments to determine if a proposed mine should be developed, what conditions should be applied, and if the project will benefit affected communities. Without community support, projects are prone to conflicts including roadblocks, protests, and legal or illegal actions, which can also diminish trust in government.
• The ESIA process allows communities to provide meaningful input and influence project plans. Project approvals should ideally only be granted when there is general community support, a concept known as a social licence to operate.
• Drawing from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development’s (IGF’s) 2020 Guidance for Governments, this report examines legal frameworks across the life cycle of a mine and provides case studies on integrating mechanisms to address mining conflict and Indigenous Peoples.

APA

Hill,, J. (2023). IGF Case Study: The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/igf-case-study-environmental-social-impact-assessments

Chicago

Hill,, Jenifer. IGF Case Study: The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/igf-case-study-environmental-social-impact-assessments.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hill, |first1=Jenifer |title=IGF Case Study: The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=10 January 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/igf-case-study-environmental-social-impact-assessments |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hill2023igf, author = {Hill,, Jenifer}, title = {{IGF Case Study: The Importance of Consultation and Engagement in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/brief/igf-case-study-environmental-social-impact-assessments}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }