Corporate social responsibility in the mining sector

Abstract

Companies worldwide have been placed under increasing pressure by stakeholders to perform business activities in a more socially responsible manner. This study investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of selected mining companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), namely: AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum, DRDGold, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold. The 2006 annual financial statements of each company were analysed by means of content analysis. The study is based on Carroll’s (1979; 1991) CSR pyramid which consists of economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities. CSR issues with an economic impact, such as HIV/AIDS, tend to be given priority by mining companies, whereas CSR issues related to empowerment receive less attention. It is recommended that mining companies focus more on health and safety issues and environmental issues which lie on the ethical and philanthropic levels of Carroll’s CSR pyramid.