Dr. Laura Barreto, Mining And Sustainability Expert, On The Mining Sector
Introduction:
“Part of me likes to believe that CSR is not only a rhetorical or theoretical exercise, but really is changing the way to do business,” writes Dr. Barreto in an open letter on the Madison Dialogue list server. Here, she discusses her overview of CSR in the mining sector, as an expert in sustainability and mining.
Special thanks to Dr. Barreto for permission to reprint her comments.
I am very interested in the debate about sustainability in the mining sector and the role/contribution of CSR.
I spent a good part of my career as a researcher working to clarify (or at least trying to clarify) the concept of sustainable development in the mining sector, the ambiguous concept of nonrenewable resources and the implications for advancing the SD framework for the mining sector.
But yesterday, I talked with a colleague in Peru from Cooperaccion, a Peruvian NGO that has an impeccable record working with communities, including the ASM sector. She explained to me the problems that her organization is facing. (See Companion Post)
Part of me would like to believe that situation is an exception and not the rule. Part of me would like to believe that we have more mining companies in the phase one or two of Estelle’s company typology then in phase 0.
Part of me likes to believe that CSR is not only a rhetorical or theoretical exercise, but really is changing the way to do business. Finally, I would like to believe that the old paradigm of business as usual is in the past.
But I know that there too many cases like the one outlined there (at least this is my impression) and, unfortunately, only a very small group of mining companies can be considered in phase one or two of Estelle’s company typology, (again that is my impression).
My first question is what we can do to help and stop this kind of action against organizations like Cooperaccion, that are working towards sustainability in the sector?
My second question is how to create a system that verifies and certifies what is happening in the implementation of CSR that on one hand allows the market to safely provide a premium to the companies that have accomplished these standards and creates a meaningful economic incentive for them and others to join the club?
Until we create a system of verification and certification to translate the rhetoric into practical and market action, we are never going to know what is really happening on the ground in terms of CSR. We will only be left with impressions and beliefs and unverified claims…even when good things are actually being done. This is as bad for companies as it is for communities.
In the meantime, we can make a difference as an individual, organization or as the Madison Dialogue by helping Cooperaccion in its fight against injustice.
Special thanks to Laura Barreto, Phd. International Specialist in Mining and Sustainable Development Strategies, Policy and Law. She is Director of Materials Efficiency Research Group (MERG), located Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
