Multinational mining corporations and corporate social responsibility: The case of Anglogold Ashanti in Ghana and South Africa

[摘要] 'Corporate social responsibility”, an unremittingly contested concept since its inception, hasattracted global interest in a progressively integrated world economy. The aim of this study isto explore and critique recent claims of a move towards corporate social responsibility (CSR)initiatives by multinational mining corporations (MNMCs). Today, MNMCs are expected topromote and practice CSR for the socio-economic consequences of their activities in hostcountries. The study will also investigate how (if at all) host-country political and regulatoryenvironments affect CSR initiatives undertaken by MNMCs. Previously, mineral developersmerely insured full compliance with host-country environmental regulations. However, thereis a growing recognition that full legal compliance is insufficient in meeting society’sdemands with regards to mining issues. Thus, mineral developers are increasingly expected togain a 'social license to operate’ (SLO) from local communities in order to avoid potentiallycostly conflict and exposure to social risks. In order to achieve the aim of the study, acomparative-case analysis of the activities of the Anglo-American giant, AngloGold Ashantiin South Africa and Ghana will be employed. Furthermore, by drawing particular attention toCSR and SLO, the study will explore how international norms such as CSR evolve, areappropriated and sometimes operationalized by powerful actors and agents within theinternational system.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand