Mining companies need to understand what impact they may have on people that live near the mine.  A mine needs to understand where it can source workers and raw materials.  For its employees it needs to know what resources are available from a recreational and accommodation perspective.  Due to the nature of the industry there may be disturbance due to noise or blast vibration and this needs to be assessed and understood with respect to local population centres.

Mining also brings a lot of significant social benefits and it is important for the mining company to be able to demonstrate what positive benefit it can bring to an area in terms of infrastructure and jobs.