WMR believes that effective community engagement depends on mutual trust, respect and effective two-way communication between the company and the community.  Community engagement is an iterative process that evolves and changes as projects develop; it also needs to be flexible and transparent to respond to community needs.  Therefore, the engagement approach taken by WMR will vary according to the nature of activities, the level of impact and degree of community interest.

A technical assessment of the licence areas in the first 2-3 years will be via non-invasive exploration methods (e.g. desktop studies, soil sampling and geophysical surveys), and it is WMR’s intention during this time to build good relationships with local communities.  Good early engagement and community support not only builds company value but develops and supports effective two-way communication.

To achieve this, WMR will:

• Strive to understand the values of the local community
• Demonstrate commitment to preserving the values that are important to residents
• Undertake genuine engagement
• Record and follow-up all community concerns in an open and transparent manner
• Adopt the principles of the landowners’ guide developed by the Minerals Council of Australia and the Victorian Farmers Federation
• Procure goods and services from local businesses wherever possible
• Review and re-examine principles, behaviours, culture and engagement processes to ensure that a good relationship between the company and the community is achieved

WMR will work with landowners and occupiers, Traditional Owners, Registered Aboriginal Parties, the Crown land managers (Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning), and other relevant referral agencies and stakeholders who may have an interest in the land under investigation.

WMR will comply with the ‘Code of practice for mineral exploration’ and will conduct its activities based on the Code’s principle that well-planned and managed exploration projects should have little or no lasting impact on the environment with minimal disruption to land users and the community.