Corporate Pressure Points and Corporate

Engagement

Western Mining Action Network

September/October 2005Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

Simon BillennessSenior Policy Advisor, Corporate Engagement

Oxfam America

Oxfam’s Mission: Creating Lasting Solutions to Poverty and Injustice

Who we are• 12 agencies

• 100+ countries

• Wide range of programs in partnership.

How different• Seek to transform

understanding of poverty and solutions through rights-based approach.

CORPORATION

SHAREHOLDERS

CONSUMERS

MEDIA

EMPLOYEES/UNIONS

LOCALCOMMUNITIES

LOCALGOVERNMENT

CONGRESS

FEDERALGOVERNMENT

COMPETITORS

COURTSCOURTS

Oxfam Extractives Campaign

• Promote Responsible Gold Mining– Corporate

• Direct engagement with Newmont Mining, Placer Dome, Glamis Gold

– Consumer• No Dirty Gold/Consumer Pledge

– Media• Make case for responsible gold mining

– Communities• Direct support to community groups in US, Latin America,

Africa

There are only so many backyards left in the world for us to dig up.

We sure as hell have to figure out how to get permission to access those backyards and to secure the trust of the public to hold onto them and do our business.

- BHP Billiton Executive

Community: Growth’s Gatekeeper

• Growth requires access to new reserves

• Local communities are principal gatekeepers

• For future growth, mining companies need exemplary community relations

Who Wants to be a Miner?

• Mining workforce is ageing

• Recruitment Barriers: Dirty Reputation, Long Postings Abroad

• For future recruitment, mining companies need better reputation and practice

Who are your shareholder allies?

– Religious Investors• Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

– Social Investment Firms• Boston Common, Christian Brothers, Calvert,

Trillium, Ethical Funds

– Public Pension Funds• New York City, California

What do shareholders add?

• Access to Board and Top Management• Access to AGM and Shareholder Ballot• Media Opportunities• Negotiation

• Experience • Resolution as bargaining chip

Consumers include…

– Individual Consumers• No Dirty Gold campaign: jewelry = 80% gold use

– Brands• Tiffany’s

– Corporations• Ford - Johnson Controls & Doe Run

– Institutions• Universities• State & local government

We at Tiffany and Co. understand that mining must remain an importantindustry. But like some other businesses benefiting from trade in precious metals, we also believe that reforms are urgently needed. Minerals should – and can – be extracted, processed, and used in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible.

Washington Post3/24/2004

Media includes…

– Corporate home town media• Newmont: Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News

– Business & Trade Press• Mineweb

– Specialist Media• Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR Wire, Ethical

Corporation• Science • Alternative & Progressive

Integrating Inside & Outside Pressure

– Continual communication & coordination• Good cop and bad cop always talk!

– Define “asks”• Community dialogue and external standards• Develop inclusive and comprehensive coalition “asks” • Distinguish between “high ask” and “bottom line ask”

– Align inside and outside asks• Minimize difference between public and private position

– Maintain both outside pressure and inside communication