Tool 6 – Define the Operation’s Functional Boundary and Identify Major Issues
This tool helps define the functional boundary of the mining or metals operation and areas stakeholders perceive the company has influence.
Step Guide
STEP
1
Download the Excel-based action register (p28) to help with recording responses to the questions and prompts in the Assessment step of this guide
STEP
2
Define the functional boundary of the mining or metals operation by:
- Evaluating the physical characteristics of the hydrological system
- Identifying environmental, social, economic and institutional systems operating within the catchment
- Identifying the areas that stakeholders perceive the company has influence over including catchments associated with the upstream water supply and groundwater aquifers that cross catchment boundaries – relevant if boreholes are being used
STEP
3
Identify stakeholder concerns and perceptions:
- Map stakeholders
- What are the local stakeholder concerns for the catchment?
- Are any of the local stakeholder concerns linked with the operation’s activities?
- What is the nature of stakeholder perceptions?
- Which areas do stakeholders perceive the operation to have influence over?
Community, Economics, Environment, Ethical Business, Management, Rehabilitation
Defining the scope of the catchment
A hypothetical example of reviewing and testing out proposed steps to define a catchment's scope