ICMM Guidance > Community Development Toolkit > Tool 11 – Social Baseline Study

Tool 11 – Social Baseline Study

A baseline survey is a large undertaking and often requires a sizeable team of surveyors; therefore this work is often outsourced to independent parties. A baseline study should commence at the start of a project and its aim is to provide a greater understanding of local communities, including their social and economic environments. A baseline study will flag concerns regarding a project and also show the potential positive and negative impacts that a project can create.

A social baseline study helps prevent many issues including: underestimating project risks, impacts to communities and failure to contribute to social and economic development.

Step Guide

STEP
1

Create social profile – engage researchers to locate available data in co-operation with local officials and community leaders

STEP
2

Acquire further information – primary data is likely to expand as a project develops. Large projects may conduct a social baseline as part of their exploration activities and again when the project reaches feasibility

STEP
3

Design a quantitative and qualitative survey utilising experienced social scientists and local tertiary institutes or research organisations

STEP
4

Profile the community ensuring coverage of vulnerable groups and minorities. Be sure to incorporate stakeholder feedback

STEP
5

Use the completed social and economic baseline study for conducting a Social Impact and Opportunities Assessment (p133) and for monitoring and evaluation (p191) activities

STEP
6

Share study with stakeholders

Factors a baseline study investigates

The investigation (p127) shows:

demographic factors
socio-economic factors
social organisation
economic organisation
socio-political context
historical context
needs and values
human rights context
health context
institutions

Community, Economics, Environment, Ethical Business, Management, Rehabilitation

Example of a social baseline study table of contents

This particular baseline study is a far larger undertaking than would be attempted by many mining projects, but indicates the wide range of information that can be included.