BHP plays the good neighbour

BHP Billiton Iron Ore will be presenting the only Australian case study into community sustainability at an international symposium in Vancouver, Canada this week. The symposium is a peak gathering of social scientists that will revue how the interactions between resource projects and communities are planned and managed during periods of change. In 2003, the company undertook a Social Impact Assessment across the Pilbara and met with more than 1000 community members in the region to get a clearer understanding of the “bigger picture”. BHP Billion Iron Ore spokesman Richard O’Connell said the company was continuing to work with the communities to develop appropriate solutions and strategies to address and manage its impacts more effectively, while at the same time recognising that its presence can bring considerable benefits if channeled appropriately. Phew! The Note trusts that BHP will treat its junior iron-ore neighbours with the same consideration over third-party rail access.