Corporate Social Responsibility on the Zambian Mining Industry

This report presents the different approaches to CSR in Zambia among mining companies whose activities have huge impacts on the environment. The mining related issues raised in the report include health and safety, security, education, migrant and settlement patterns, environmental management, poverty reduction, job creation, local economic development, gender and HIV/AIDS

FAMILY DISORGANISATION AND MENTAL HEALTH IN A SOUTH AFRICAN MINING COMMUNITY

Family disorganisation and mental health in mining communities in South Africa are notunique, but it is the unique nature of mining communities that creates the risk factors and thetypes of service provisions that exacerbate the vulnerability of these communities (Gylfason,2001). At the same time, it is the nature of mental health that makes it a largely ignored healthproblem in these communities. These are burning and relevant issues and the focus of thisarticle

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Diamond Mining Industry on the West Coast of South Africa

the study was aimed at seeing how communities benefit from minin

Occupational health and safety considerations for women employed in core mining positions

Orientation: Despite various liberalisation and feminisation processes with regard to gender and sex roles, traditionalistic typologies, especially in terms of occupational roles, are seemingly very reluctant to disappear from relevant theoretical discourses, as well as in practice. One of the main issues remains the terrain of physical work. Although women all over the world have been involved in mining activities for centuries, the mining industry has not been an obvious career choice for women. In South Africa, new mining legislation aims to rectify previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provides for the inclusion of women in core mining activities. Although well intended, women’s involvement in the core business of mining also exposes them to the various hazards related to mine work. Research purpose: This research determined perceptions regarding the health and safety of women working in core mining positions. Motivation for the study: Currently there is a paucity of published data regarding health and safety challenges pertaining to women employed in the core business of mining. Method: Quantitative and qualitative research paradigms were used (mixed method research design). Quantitative data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected by means of individual interviews and group interviews. Main findings: From the literature review and the empirical findings it is evident that various factors (physical work capacity, anthropometry and body composition, personal protective equipment, treatment during pregnancy and security measures) need to be considered to ensure the health and safety of women employed in core mining positions. Practical/managerial implications: It is evident from the research that exceptional attention should be given to the promotion of the health and safety of women working in the core business of mines to sustain their involvement in the mining sector. Contribution: Practical recommendations are made to address health and safety concerns of women employed in core mining activities. These can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the mining sector

Workplace Opportunities for Women Employed in Core Mining Activities

Mining as occupation in South Africa was traditionally reserved for men only and mining law prohibited women from being employed in operations underground. In South Africa, new mining legislation aimed to rectify previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provides for the inclusion of women in core mining activities. Although women’s participation in the industry has slowly risen since the introduction of the Mining Charter and related government equity legislation, women are still at the periphery of the industry. Furthermore, white women continue to dominate the professional positions in mining and black women tend to engage mostly in manual work and artisanal mining. This research aimed to determine perceptions regarding workplace opportunities for women working in core mining positions. Findings are being drawn from empirical work undertaken at a platinum, phosphor and copper mine. The quantitative and qualitative research paradigms were used. It is evident from the research that specific attention should be given to the career development and progression of women working in the core business of mines. Practical recommendations are made which could be implemented and used by mining companies to overcome some of these issues. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p191

The importance of a people-centred approach for Corporate Social Responsibility: A case study of Welverdiend and the surrounding community

Despite the contribution of mining to the South African economy, this industry has impacted negatively on the environment and society for many decades. These negative impacts are mostly evidence of poor corporate actions. Instead of contributing to society, it seems that mining companies, more often than not, neglect their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) mostly in the pursuit of financial profit. It has been well documented that it is mostly local populations, living close to mining operations, that pay the price of social and environmental damages and degradation, while the industry’s benefits are measured in economic and political terms. Such an imbalance between the economic, environmental and social factors makes Sustainable Development impossible to achieve.   Welverdiend, on the Far West Rand of Johannesburg, South Africa, is a community paying a dear price in terms of social problems caused by mining operations. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mining on the social wellbeing of Welverdiend and the surrounding community’s residents. In the light of these findings on different social issues, the research aimed to confirm the importance of a people-centred approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

Local communities and health disaster management in the mining sector

Mining activities throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have impacted on the health and safety of mining communities for many decades. Despite the economic contribution of mining to surrounding communities, a huge amount of social and environmental harm is associated with the industry. In this regard, mining companies have, on the one hand, contributed toward improved social development by providing jobs, paying taxes and earning foreign exchange. On the other hand, they have been linked publicly to poor labour conditions, corruption, pollution incidents, health and safety failings, as well as disrespect of human rights. The objectives of this study are to give an overview of social and natural factors relating to health disasters in selected communities in the mining environment. Regarding the findings, this paper focuses on the social and natural factors involved in the creation of health disasters. The social factors include poverty, unemployment, poor housing and infrastructure, prostitution and a high influx of unaccompanied migrant labour. Major health issues in this regard, which will be highlighted, are the extraordinary high incidence rate of HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted infections), addiction and mental illness. The environmental (natural) threats to health that will be discussed in the study are harmful particles in the air and water, excessive noise and overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions. In conclusion, the paper also finds that communities need to be ‘fenced in’ in terms of health disaster management instead of being excluded. Specific recommendations to mining companies to reduce health and safety disasters will be made to conclude the paper