ABSTRACT
While social mapping is invariably conducted as part of a more encompassing social impact assessment (SIA), it can equally constitute a stand-alone project that is a precursor to, or in anticipation of, some future SIA. On the one hand, it can appear as if all that is required here is for a social scientist, for example an anthropologist, to conduct a general ethnographic inquiry. The extent to which there is an explicit acknowledgement of the need for information on customary social groups within an impact area can vary quite considerably. Social mapping then has a natural constituency within impact assessment studies. The task for any prospective social mapper is to acquaint themselves with both the contractual and legislative requirements governing the task at hand which will thereby identify what conditions or constraints are imposed upon the investigation itself. Community attitudes, interests, and expectations concerning benefit streams.
