Mining and sustainable development at Red Dog.

The Northwest Native Alaskan Association (NANA)'s principal objective in developing the world's largest zinc mine, in NW Alaska, was that it should contribute to the development of sustainable communities in the region through creating job opportunities in a modern economy while preserving traditional subsistence lifestyles. NANA has subsurface title to the resource and entered into a lease agreement with Cominco in 1982. Cominco's efforts to match economic, social and environmental goals through continuous communication are described. Five main elements essential to sustainable development were found: empowering people; respecting cultures, community values and traditional economies; developing and internalising capabilities; equity in benefit sharing; and protecting the environment.
The Northwest Native Alaskan Association (NANA)'s principal objective in developing the world's largest zinc mine, in NW Alaska, was that it should contribute to the development of sustainable communities in the region through creating job opportunities in a modern economy while preserving traditional subsistence lifestyles. NANA has subsurface title to the resource and entered into a lease agreement with Cominco in 1982. Cominco's efforts to match economic, social and environmental goals through continuous communication are described. Five main elements essential to sustainable development were found: empowering people; respecting cultures, community values and traditional economies; developing and internalising capabilities; equity in benefit sharing; and protecting the environment.