I think that to be meaningful, processes also have to be deliberative, engaging the public, in the planning phase, on the way in which they want to be engaged. What are the seasons in which they may not be around because they're out on the land? Do they want formal hearings in which they're lawyered up, or do they want to sit at round tables. It's a matter of engaging them early on in that process.
Also, as you mentioned concerning alternatives to the project, do you want a road to get to that mine, or do you want fly-in? What works best for the communities?