Mining Sector CSR Behaviour: A Developing Country Perspective

Abstract

The study examined the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Ghana's gold mining sector, the relationship between company-specific CSR programmes and the initiatives or agreements firms are signatories to. It further analyzed the views of key stakeholders (managers, regulators, mining support organizations, communities, district assemblies and the NGO community) about community-focused CSR in the mining sector. The role of stakeholders in mining company CSR was also examined. Three multinational gold mining companies in Ghana were selected using a criterion-based sampling technique. A qualitative approach, employing document reviews, focus group discussions, stakeholder meetings and structured interviews were used to examine firms' communitybased CSR initiatives and levels of stakeholder involvement within the process. All three companies had launched community development projects that were implemented through tri-sector partnerships. These partnerships were to enhance the economic livelihoods of communities affected by their operations. The study concluded that the effective implementation of international voluntary initiatives, government initiatives and regulations, programme-collaboration among companies and strengthening of partnerships will enhance CSR focused on improving community livelihoods.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Trisector Partnerships, Stakeholder, Community Development, Multinational Firms, Mining, Ghana