Anglo American Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT): A public evaluation

Anglo American plc’s Socio-Economic Assessment Toolbox (SEAT) forms the centrepiece of the Group’s management of social and community issues at existing operations... SEAT was conceived specifically to enable Anglo American’s operations to enhance their social license to operate... BSR sought to identify those aspects of implementation which might be regarded as ‘best practice,’ and to provide recommendations for potential improvements... [Findings include:] SEAT represents an international best practice in sustainable community development... Implementers place tremendous value on training; other efforts to foster best practice sharing are still evolving... The capacity to identify and assess social and economic issues has improved, but management responses are often cautious or slow to be executed... Mine closure planning needs greater emphasis.