With the growing global demand for natural resources such as oil and minerals, governments and companies implementing large-scale development projects must extend their reach to increasingly remote and sensitive areas. Within this context, they must work even harder to mitigate the social and environmental risks associated with their projects. Indigenous peoples may be particularly vulnerable to these risks...governments and companies must invest time and resources in ensuring the early and ongoing participation of these communities in project design and implementation. The principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) creates an opportunity for project sponsors to identify potential risks and opportunities among affected communities early in the project development process, and to adjust project planning accordingly...[refers also to Newmont, Pan American Silver, Pluspetrol].