It is important to Heritage that relationships with neighbours and local communities are conducted sensitively and with mutual respect.
Heritage recognises that active and enduring partnerships are a central and fundamental element of our business. We therefore aim to promote the sharing of economic benefit created by our activities through the conduct of our community relationships.
The support of host communities, governments and other stakeholders is crucial in the achievement of our long-term business objectives.
We strive to work together with local communities to generate mutual benefits and shared progressiveness – some of which will stem from required health and education initiatives.
To ensure that we maintain symbiotic relationships with local communities and governments we:
- promote sharing of economic benefits created by our activities through the conduct of community relationships;
- enter into long-term sustainable community projects requested by local communities;
- seek to ensure access to land is secured using approaches that are sensitive to local concerns and values;
- generate socio-economic benefits that address long-term local needs; and
- provide opportunities for local suppliers.
OUR APPROACH
We view stakeholder engagement as an integral part of our business model. The success of projects in the different parts of the world is dependent on relationships with governments, local authorities and local communities.
A natural part of a new project development involves consultation with local communities as well as government authorities, to identify ways in which our expertise can be best applied. Our licence to operate in any area is dependent on being viewed as a positive force by those most directly affected by our operations. Therefore it is in our interest to consult stakeholders and find ways to be a trusted and useful partner – a partner of choice!
It is our intention to improve conditions in the wider vicinity of our operations by investing in sustainable projects where local communities have a sense of ownership – thus increasing their long-term effects.
Educational endowments remain a mainstay of the Heritage CSR Policy as this has far-reaching benefits for the wider community. Healthcare and other social welfare schemes are also initiated and supported where appropriate. Our continued focus on recruiting, where possible, from local communities is an important factor in maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.