Methodology for developing a stakeholder-based external affairs strategy.

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 91, No. 1019, 1998

K.L. Azinger, Illawarra Collieries, BHP Coal, Unanderra, NSW, Australia

Successful relationships between mining companies and local stakeholders are now an essential part of the social contract of Òdoing businessÓ (Prescott, 1995). The methodology presented in this paper is designed to assist mining companies in understanding and building relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. The methodology starts by recognizing that mining projects have a natural life cycle which can be used to identify when new external affairs strategies are required. In designing an external affairs strategy, the first step is to set objectives that are compatible with the overall objectives of the mining project. The management team then identifies the main stakeholder groups and seeks to understand the priorities and inter-relationships of the individual stakeholders. The result of this stakeholder analysis is an understanding of the Degrees of Influence of each of the stakeholder groups along with a relationship map which illustrates the strong interactions between stakeholders. The company is then prepared to take a proactive approach to building relationships with the primary stak

Keywords: Stakeholder analysis, Public affairs, Relationship mapping, NWT Diamond Project.