Selected Experience
Over 35 years, Gary MacDonald has delivered social performance across mining, oil and gas, hydro, forestry, agriculture, and renewables — for both the institutions that finance these projects and the organizations that build them.
The engagements below represent a selection of MSP's work. Many projects involved multiple competencies; each is listed under its primary service.
Batu Hijau Copper-Gold Mine, Indonesia
Director of External Affairs for Newmont Mining. Built a 60-person team that transformed a key project's community relationship from crisis state to stability during the post-Suharto period.
Mega Extractive & Refinery Project, Madagascar
Led social due diligence for a mega-scale project under construction during political upheaval, on behalf of export credit agencies and private banks.
Cross-Border Mining Project, Argentina & Chile
Directed environmental and social due diligence for a cross-border mining project, managing interactions with the lender group and both national-level project teams.
JV Copper Mega-Project, Panama
Created the policy framework and external affairs team for a multi-billion-dollar JV, covering resettlement, local hiring, human rights, and government relations.
Oil Refinery & Petrochemical Complex, Vietnam
QA/QC adviser for social performance on a US$9 billion complex — one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Advised on team structure, management activities, and lender relations.
Multi-Billion-Dollar Projects: Indonesia, New Caledonia, Panama
Created external affairs teams for four projects each exceeding US$2 billion, with comprehensive social management systems.
Early-Stage Resource Project, Guinea & Liberia
Implemented IFC PS-compliant social management systems across 7 sites in two countries, including training and community development program design.
Agricultural Plantations, Multiple Countries
Led due diligence of cocoa, coffee, and cotton plantations across Ivory Coast, Uganda, Vietnam, and Indonesia for international financial institution clients.
Plantation Forestry Project, Kalimantan, Indonesia
Conducted one of the first social gap analyses for a plantation project in Kalimantan Timur. Created the internal team to manage social issues, including significant community resettlement.
EBRD Consultant Capacity Program
Directed an 18-month program of nine workshops across EBRD countries of operation, raising consultant capacity to meet EBRD Performance Requirements.
IFC Conflict & Fragile States Program
Directed the creation of a program enabling IFC regional coordinators to interpret Performance Standards in conflict-affected and fragile states.
FPIC Policy Review, Global
Led the first initiative to synthesize effective FPIC strategies across North America and globally for a major resource industry association.
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Whether you need an assessment, a team, or a strategy for a difficult situation — Gary MacDonald has likely done it before.
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