Sustainable development or the resource curse? : the role of CSR at Newmont’s Ahafo Mine in Ghana

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility claims that social and economic development is possible in mineral-dependent countries. Viewed as a tool for reducing impacts of mining, CSR is increasingly implemented on a voluntary basis by mining companies. Such claims assume that mining and development can be achieved, and that through CSR, resource rich countries can avoid negative impacts of resource development, also known as the “resource curse”. This thesis seeks to explore CSR’s attempts to address some of the factors that limit’s mining’s contributions to development. In examining Newmont Mining Corporation’s Ahafo Mine in Ghana, the research finds that CSR seeks to mitigate the economic, social, and political impacts of mining. Specifically, voluntary CSR promotes local economic development, human development in areas of education and health, and improve transparency and accountability. However, the research finds that without government involvement, CSR is ineffective due to voluntary nature of the programs.