Friday, February 3, 2012

Fast-track CSR guidelines for mines

Chiefs and opinion leaders of mining communities have called for speedy implementation of laws to define parameters and guidelines for carrying out corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the mining industry.

At a workshop on ‘Guidelines for Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programmes in Mining Communities’, Agyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, speaking on behalf of the chiefs argued that the development of the national framework on corporate social responsibility for mining companies has been long overdue.

He said political leaders and stakeholders need to help make the necessary inputs toward full adoption of the guidelines to encourage effective support for improving the socio-economic lives of mining communities.

He noted that a CSR module has been used at the Ahafo Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited and it appears to be working successfully, adding that this needs to be replicated in other communities.

“CSR strategies and practices can enable the mining industry to increase its impact on poverty-alleviation and development in the country in a cost-effective and practical manner,” he said.

In recent years, concerns about the sustainability and social responsibility of businesses have become an increasingly high-profile issue in many countries and industries, including Ghana, and more so in the mining industry.

For mining, one outcome of the CSR agenda is the increasing need for individual companies to justify their existence and document their performance through the disclosure of social and environmental information.

The minerals and mining sector regulator, Minerals Commission, is currently spearheading the development of a national framework to define parameters and guidelines for carrying out corporate social responsibility programmes in the industry.

The guidelines are currently at the draft stage and are drawn on policies, codes and principles issued by the industry, government, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.

The new rules are expected to serve mining companies, the government, local communities, stakeholders, and other groups with interest in or who are affected by mining activities.

Mr. Ben Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, said: “It is important to address the integration of all aspects of economic, social and environmental benefits and impacts during and beyond all phases of life of a mining operation.

“This is to guarantee that benefits can be sustained to ensure the rehabilitation of disturbed lands, and for the continuous improvement of environmental, social and economic conditions.”

He explained that the guidelines were designed to serve as benchmarks for development and assessment for CSR programmes and activities by mining companies.

They are also intended to complement applicable binding national and international regulations on CSR and provide principles and guidelines for mining companies where these are absent, or could be improved upon within the context of the country’s development agenda.

Mr. Jerry Ahadjie, Principal Policy Planning Officer, Minerals Commission, making a presentation on the guidelines explained that they cover corporate governance and ethics, human rights, employment and labour standards, health and safety, and environmental stewardship.

Others include risk-assessment and management, material and supply-chain management, community and social development, stakeholder engagement, and compliance.

Mr. Ahadjie said: “The guidelines commit mining companies operating in the country to work against all forms of corruption -- including extortion and bribery -- and pledge themselves to ethical, transparent and accountable business.

“They entreat mining companies to respect internationally acceptable human rights conventions within their sphere of influence and make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses, while dialoguing and signing agreements with community members on crop compensation rates before farms are taken-over.

“The guidelines commit companies to respect rights to free assembly and collective bargaining by unions, and provide time-off for union officials as well as seek continual improvement of health and safety of their communities.”

Mr. Richard Afeku, Sectoral Policy Planning Manager of the Commission, indicated that under the guidelines companies are expected to implement risk-management strategies based on valid data, and conduct a thorough social assessment during all the stages of mine development to predict impact and understand local needs and desires.

“Mining companies are required to implement effective and transparent engagement, communication and independently-verified reporting arrangements with stakeholders -- as well as consider CSR and sustainability reports as a useful communication tool to highlight responsible business practice,” Mr. Afeku said.

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