Position Statement of Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining on Indigenous Peoples and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
This Position Statement sets forth Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining’s approach to engaging with Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, and securing Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Our vision is to foster constructive relationships between Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining and Indigenous Peoples based on mutual respect, meaningful engagement, trust, and mutual benefit.
Commitments:
Respecting Rights and Interests: Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining commits to respecting the rights, interests, and traditional connections to lands and waters of Indigenous Peoples where our projects are proposed.
Engagement and Consultation: We will adopt engagement and consultation processes ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ meaningful participation in decision-making, consistent with their traditional practices and based on good faith negotiation.
Obtaining Consent: We will work to obtain the consent of Indigenous Peoples for new projects and significant changes to existing projects likely to impact Indigenous communities.
Understanding FPIC: FPIC is both a process and an outcome. The process ensures that Indigenous Peoples can freely make decisions without coercion, have sufficient time to participate in decision-making, and are fully informed about the project’s impacts and benefits. The outcome is the ability for Indigenous Peoples to give or withhold consent in a manner consistent with their traditional decision-making processes and their rights.
Applicability: This Position Statement applies to new projects and significant changes to existing projects impacting Indigenous communities. Where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities are affected, Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining may extend these commitments to non-Indigenous peoples.
Relationship with Philippine Government and Indigenous Communities: Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining will work in close collaboration with the Philippine government and Indigenous Peoples, particularly in Mindanao, to ensure that our projects align with national laws and local customs. This collaboration includes comprehensive environmental, social, and governance commitments to maximize benefits for host communities and minimize negative impacts.
Recognition Statements: Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples often have profound connections to their lands and waters, which are tied to their well-being. They may possess valuable traditional knowledge and experience in sustainable environmental management. Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao have historically faced disadvantages and continue to experience social and economic challenges. Our projects aim to provide significant benefits and opportunities for these communities while respecting their cultural heritage and natural resource-based livelihoods.
Commitments:
- Engagement: Engage with Indigenous Peoples to respect their rights and aspirations, design projects to avoid adverse impacts, and ensure sustainable benefits.
- Impact Assessment: Conduct participatory social and environmental impact assessments to identify potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples.
- Consultation Processes: Establish early and appropriate engagement and consultation processes, striving for consistency with Indigenous decision-making and human rights.
- Consent for New Projects: Work to obtain consent for new projects or significant changes impacting Indigenous lands and heritage, ensuring the process is inclusive and respectful.
- Collaboration with Authorities: Collaborate with the Philippine government to achieve outcomes consistent with this Position Statement, ensuring that our processes align with national regulations and support Indigenous rights.
- Resolving Differences: Agree on mechanisms to address differences of opinion, including mediation, to support good faith negotiation and resolution.
Future Work: Moana Oceania Gold Ore Mining commits to ongoing engagement with Indigenous Peoples and their representatives and will continue to develop approaches to address their interests and concerns. Planned activities include updating our Good Practice Guidance, promoting good practices across the sector, and maintaining dialogue with Indigenous organizations and government bodies in the Philippines.
Notes:
- The commitments outlined here aim to ensure that Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, benefit from our projects without the need for displacement.
- We respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples to maintain their cultural heritage and traditional livelihoods while participating in the benefits of industrial activity.
