Stakeholder identification in the planning phase of aggregate and quarrying projects

The need to accommodate social and environ- mental parameters in planning new quarrying activities is becoming increasingly apparent in modern societies in order to improve sustaina- bility of the sector and manage social risk. In- volvement of all interested stakeholders from the early stages of the planning phase is an inte- gral part of the “social license” which is earned and allows the society to monitor and measure the performance of the project and the company throughout the quarry life cycle. The planning process should include an in depth analysis of all political, economic, social and technological factors involved. This paper aims to discuss the most important issues related to stakeholder identification and analysis and the way this pro- cess can be improved for the benefit of both the company and the society. It is believed that such an approach also allows companies to achieve realistic views of the concerns of the people and the way they value their environment within the area of potential quarry development.