Mining company performance and community conflict: moving beyond a seeming paradox

A review of Rawls' idea of overlapping consensus as well as the foundation of sustainability/sustainable development ideas is provided as a basis for arguing the need for collaboration and dialogue, particularly when alternative values are at play. Sustainability ideas also point to setting achievement of a net contribution to human and ecosystem well-being over the long term as the driving design and success assessment criteria for human activity in general and mining activities in particular. Moving forward, the key success factor for any mining operation is the creation of relationships with host communities and countries that are characterized by authenticity, respect, integrity, inclusiveness and transparency.