Core Service

The Territory

& its Communities

We understand the concerns and needs of communities, promote dialogue with businesses, and build trust with local governments and stakeholders through international best practices.

For the past fifteen years, our methodology and on-the-ground presence have allowed us to understand the concerns and needs of communities, promote dialogue with businesses, and build trust with local governments and stakeholders. We design tailored solutions to strengthen relationships between businesses, governments, and communities, especially in territories with complex social dynamics.

Baseline Social Studies

We conduct rigorous social baseline studies, gathering data on the existing social, economic, and cultural conditions within a project area before development or investment begins. These baselines provide a benchmark for measuring future impacts, managing risks, and engaging stakeholders.

Our teams have developed extensive expertise in establishing holistic assessments of existing conditions across multiple areas, including livelihoods, health, education, culture, labor and income generation, governance, land use, and more.

Aligned with IFC Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.

Key areas of analysis:

  • Demographic characteristics — population size, density, age and gender distribution, ethnic and linguistic groups, migration patterns.
  • Social and economic infrastructure — primary sources of income, poverty and unemployment rates, access to markets and financial services.
  • Livelihoods and land use — land ownership patterns, common land use, land conflicts, agricultural practices, and sacred or culturally significant sites.
  • Cultural and religious dynamics — dominant religions, social norms, community events, gender roles, and family structures.
  • Governance and institutions — local governance structures, traditional leadership systems, conflict resolution mechanisms, participation, and trust in institutions.
  • Social infrastructure and services — educational facilities, healthcare centers, water sources and sanitation infrastructure, and housing conditions.
  • Stakeholder perspectives — perceptions of the project, expectations and concerns, and local development priorities.

Environmental Baseline Studies

A Baseline Environmental Study (BES) is a critical component of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for mining projects. It documents pre-project environmental conditions to assess future impacts, inform mitigation measures, and serve as a baseline for monitoring.

Our local teams have developed extensive expertise in collecting accurate, relevant, and site-specific data on the environmental conditions of the project area.

Key components of our studies:

  • Physical environment assessment — measurements of air quality, surface and groundwater quality and availability, soil and land use, noise, and vibration levels.
  • Biological environment assessment — inventories of flora and fauna, sensitive ecosystems, seasonal wetlands, and identification of biodiversity corridors.
  • Socio-economic and cultural environment — demographic analysis, livelihoods, land use and key crops, cultural heritage, and oral history sites.
  • Risk and vulnerability analysis — climate and weather patterns, ecologically sensitive areas, cumulative stress factors, pollution hotspots, and resource competition.

Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis

We support our clients by identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing key stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels, with a particular focus on communities directly affected by the project.

Our approach seeks to understand not only who the stakeholders are, but also how they relate to one another, how they perceive the project, and the interests and expectations they bring to the table.

We deliver in-depth stakeholder mapping studies that serve as practical tools for strategic planning, enabling the identification of key actors, the assessment of influence and interest levels, and the design of engagement strategies grounded in social insight.

Our methodology includes:

  • Stakeholder mapping based on interviews, participatory assessments, and institutional landscape analysis.
  • Relationship mapping to identify potential alliances, sources of influence, and areas of tension.
  • Community affective mapping within project areas of influence as a complementary technological tool.
  • Community engagement platforms for advanced stakeholder management.
  • Integrated analysis of community dynamics, institutional context, and perceptions that influence project viability.

Prior Consultation and Collective Rights

We provide technical support for the effective implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes, helping our clients navigate one of the most sensitive aspects of project development when Indigenous and Native communities are located within or adjacent to the area of operations.

Our work begins with the identification of Indigenous Peoples and other historically marginalized groups, followed by an in-depth analysis of collective rights, governance structures, and potential risks.

Our engagement with communities is designed to develop a deep understanding of social and organizational structures, territorial relationships, cultural practices, livelihoods, and the long-term aspirations of populations within the project’s area of influence.

Commitment to ILO Convention 169, which recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to be consulted in good faith through culturally appropriate mechanisms.

Our approach includes:

  • Risk assessments, strategic roadmaps, and engagement protocols aligned with national regulatory frameworks and international best practices.
  • A rigorous and context-sensitive methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative fieldwork with participatory techniques and ethnographic analysis.
  • Co-creation of knowledge with community members, respecting their voices, perspectives, and agency.
  • A flexible, context-specific approach — tailoring strategies to reflect local norms, consultation frameworks, and community dynamics.
  • Bridging the gap between private-sector objectives and community realities to support responsible and sustainable development.

Operational Risk Assessment

We have developed extensive expertise in Mining Infrastructure Assessment, Geological Model Evaluation and Mine Planning, as well as the development of detailed financial models.

To deliver comprehensive technical assessments of mining facilities, we deploy multidisciplinary teams to conduct detailed site inspections and evaluations of mining operations.

Technical and infrastructure assessment:

  • Assessment of underground and open-pit mining operations — efficiency, safety, and mining method design, including verification of production records.
  • Review and assessment of mineral processing plants — physical condition, capacity, and bottlenecks within crushing, grinding, and CIL circuits.
  • Evaluation of critical infrastructure — tailings storage facilities, water management infrastructure, power generation systems, and accommodation facilities.
  • Health, safety, and environmental compliance audits — workplace safety analysis, hazardous materials management, and environmental controls.
  • Geological model review — assessment of NI 43-101 compliant models, data quality, and mineral resource classification.
  • Verification of drilling and sampling data — data integrity, spacing and quality assessment, and quality control procedures.
  • Detailed financial modeling — OPEX/CAPEX analysis, sensitivity testing, investment risk assessment, and executive dashboards.

Baseline Social Studies

Do you need support in territorial engagement?

Our team of experts is ready to design tailored solutions that strengthen the relationship between your operation and local communities.