Environmental conflicts in mineral development

In the 1980s conflicts over the extraction and use of natural resources will increase. While some of these controversies are unavoidable, many are manufactured when people choose inappropriate methods for responding to problems. This paper explores five ways industry creates its own problems and how it can avoid doing so. They are: failure to provide adequate information to the public; relying on stereotypes in making decisions; ignoring a problem, hoping that it will disappear; assuming that technical solutions are sufficient to solve a problem; depending on archaic techniques for conducting business with the public. Specific tools for managing environmental conflict are suggested.