Independence Group Sustainability Report 2019

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES AND TRADITIONAL OWNERS Host communities IGO has a number of host communities. Our largest and most significant is that associated with our Nova Operation and exploration activities in the Fraser Range. It includes the communities of both the Dundas and Esperance Shires. We refer to this area, its residents and Traditional Owners, as the Nova host community. IGO’s other host communities are those associated with our exploration activities, predominantly comprising Traditional Owners and pastoralists. As our exploration presence and impacts are generally small, our engagement effort with these communities is proportionately smaller than that associated with the Nova host community. In FY19, in conformance with IGO Group Environment Standard 2 – Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, our community consultation and engagement efforts included the completion of a social impact assessment. This assessment examined impacts associated with our activities at our Nova Operation and exploration in the Fraser Range. Over 300 stakeholders and groups within the Nova host community were engaged. This included local governments, service providers, suppliers, IGO’s Corporate Giving program recipients, Ngadju community group representatives, neighbouring landholders and the general public. The process included one-on-one meetings between IGO representatives and key stakeholders, random telephone surveys of the general community and an online survey of the Ngadju community members. As an outcome of this work, IGO now has a clearer understanding of both our economic contribution to the broader community, and the community’s expectations regarding the way we operate. We have since published community information sheets for both the Ngadju community and broader community, presenting the initial consultation findings. The information sheets include a summary of the community’s attitudes toward IGO, the Nova Operation and our exploration works in the Fraser Range; perspectives on the positive and negative impacts associated with IGO's activities; and community suggestions for more effectively addressing concerns and improving our social investment efforts in the region. During FY20 we will continue to work through the study’s recommendations, and commit to: • improving the level and effectiveness of our community consultation; • facilitating a site visit for the Ngadju Elders and community leaders; and • improve efforts to support local businesses and, in particular, employ local members from the Norseman community. In some circumstances, IGO’s activities occur on land that is allocated by the government or recognised in law as having multiple approved land uses. For example, our Nova Operation is both situated on Crown land (that in part is allocated as pastoral leases) and is also subject to the native title of the Ngadju people. This circumstance is not uncommon in many parts of Australia. Given this situation, and to ensure clarity of rights and responsibilities, IGO preferentially seeks to enter into land access agreements where we have interests that overlap with those of another party. Thus, IGO has a land access agreement with the Ngadju people in respect of the Nova Operation. We also have land access agreements with the owners of the two pastoral stations overlapping the Nova Operation’s various mining leases. Each of these agreements have some common features. They include a clear articulation of IGO’s intended activities, statements of commitment to enable or prevent specific actions, such as compensation, and unnotified access and location disturbance. Generally, the specific terms are confidential to the parties. 56 — IGO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 SECTION 5 MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY