Exploratory study on social responsibility in the coal mining industry in the department of Boyacá, based on the guidelines of the ISO 26000 standard

The mining industry is questioned because it is considered an extractive activity that has negative impact on the environment and because its contribution to the country’s economic development is minimal, since it belongs to the primary sector of the economy and because it is perceived that the social condition of populations around the mines is overall unfortunate. This research focuses on a proposal to promote contribution to sustainable development in the coal miningindustry in the department of Boyacá, identifying elements that allow a socially responsible management, according to guidelines of the ISO 26000 model. To delimit the population under study a convenience sampling was conducted, and in each one of the chosen organizations data was collected through survey and observation, to determine which aspects focused on social responsibility are established in coal mining companiesof the department. As a result of the research, it was found that the principles of social responsibility handled by companies of the coal mining industry in Boyacá are focused on seekingthe organization’s economic benefit, without considering a benefit for the community. Regarding the environmental surrounding, only minimal requirements to operate legally are met, although informal mines ignore many of the regulations required by the State. As a contribution for solving this problem, a documentary tool (booklet) was produced to circulate among the companies of the industry the principles of social responsibility outlined in the ISO 26000 Standard, in a simple and practical form, seeking to generate their commitmentwith sustainable development

Estudio exploratorio sobre la responsabilidad social en el sector minero del carbón del departamento de Boyacá, con base en los lineamientos de la guía ISO 26000

The mining industry is questioned because it is considered an extractive activity that has negative impact on the environment and because its contribution to the country’s economic development is minimal, since it belongs to the primary sector of the economy and because it is perceived that the social condition of populations around the mines is overall unfortunate.This research focuses on a proposal to promote contribution to sustainable development in the coal miningindustry in the department of Boyacá, identifying elements that allow a socially responsible management, according to guidelines of the ISO 26000 model.To delimit the population under study a convenience sampling was conducted, and in each one of the chosen organizations data was collected through survey and observation, to determine which aspects focused on social responsibility are established in coal mining companiesof the department.As a result of the research, it was found that the principles of social responsibility handled by companies of the coal mining industry in Boyacá are focused on seekingthe organization’s economic benefit, without considering a benefit for the community. Regarding the environmental surrounding, only minimal requirements to operate legally are met, although informal mines ignore many of the regulations required by the State.As a contribution for solving this problem, a documentary tool (booklet) was produced to circulate among the companies of the industry the principles of social responsibility outlined in the ISO 26000 Standard, in a simple and practical form, seeking to generate their commitmentwith sustainable development.El sector minero es cuestionado porque se le considera una actividad extractiva que ejerce impactos negativos sobre el medio ambiente y porque su contribución al desarrollo económico del país es mínima, puesto que pertenece al sector primario de la economía y porque se percibe que el estado social de las poblaciones alrededor de las minas es, en general, lamentable.La presente investigación gira en torno a una propuesta para promover la contribución al desarrollo sostenible del sector minero del carbón en el departamento de Boyacá, identificando elementos que permitan una gestión socialmente responsable, según los lineamientos del modelo ISO 26000.Para delimitar la población objeto de estudio se realizó un muestreo por conveniencia, y en cada una de las organizaciones seleccionadas se recolectaron datos por medio de una encuesta y de la observación, para determinar qué aspectos enfocados a la responsabilidad social se establecen en las empresas mineras del carbón del departamento.Como resultado de la investigación, se encontró que los principios de responsabilidad social que manejan las empresas del sector minero del carbón en Boyacá se centran en buscar el beneficio económico de la organización, sin tener en cuenta un beneficio para la comunidad. Respecto al entorno ambiental,tan solo se cumple con los mínimos exigidos para funcionar legalmente, aunque en las minas no formalizadas se pasan por alto una gran parte de lasnormas exigidas por el Estado.Como aporte a la solución de esta problemática, se generó una herramienta documental (cartilla) para divulgar en las empresas del sector los principiosde responsabilidad social planteados en la Guía ISO 26000, de una forma sencilla y práctica, buscando generar su compromiso con el desarrollosostenible