security personnel in 2015. Company representatives said that they engaged the
government in a de-brief after the 2015 eviction.
4
Community engagement and principles of FPIC at Merian
This section describes what the Panel learned about the company’s efforts to engage the
Pamaka community and establish constructive relationships based on mutual understanding
and trust. It outlines key points of engagement with the Pamaka during the project approval
period, and during negotiations over the Cooperation Agreement, which was signed in June
2016. Surgold states that their engagement and negotiation with the Pamaka was based on
principles of FPIC.
4.1
Engagement processes and mechanisms
Newmont states that it has engaged in building constructive relationships with the Pamaka
since 2004 and aims to generate long-term, sustainable social and economic benefits for the
Pamaka and the people of Suriname more broadly. 32 In line with this objective, Surgold
appointed community relations specialists in the exploration phase. Company personnel
explained that, prior to project approval and construction, the approach to community
engagement was focused on broad-based consultation at the village and household level,
and engagement with the traditional authority structure. Engagement with informal miners
(Pamakan and non-Pamakan) was reportedly always difficult because they do not have an
agreed leader or representative.
Surgold was required to prepare an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) as
part of the formal approval process. In 2011, Surgold commissioned an international
environmental consulting firm to conduct an integrated ESIA. According to the final study
document, the methodology included engagement with local communities, including the
Pamaka. Field studies involved the use of qualitative research methods, such as
participatory rural appraisal techniques, focus group discussions, resource mapping, and
transect analysis, combined with quantitative methods, including a household survey.
Company representatives said that the Pamaka participated in the scoping, screening and
assessment phases of the ESIA. This included identification of potential project impacts and
discussion of proposed mitigation plans.
In August 2013, Surgold and the Pamaka signed a “Letter of Intent”. Surgold provided funds
to the Pamaka for an anthropologist to assist them in their discussions with the company. 33
The document is a preliminary agreement to the eventual more detailed Cooperation
Agreement and provides a public acknowledgement that Surgold recognizes that the
32
See: http://www.newmont.com/operations-and-projects/south-america/meriansuriname/community/default.aspx
33
Under this arrangement, the Negotiating Committee selected and appointed the anthropologist,
and Surgold settled the accounts.
14