Sustainability of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in Platinum Mining Communities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

For Mining companies that have operations in the developing economies, Corporate Social Responsibility has increasingly become a strategic imperative in which mining activities have greatly influenced social, economic and environmental wellbeing of such host communities. In Zimbabwe’s platinum mining sector, the growing expectations that mining companies contribute meaningfully to community development have intensified debates over the long-term sustainability of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The study sought to assess the impacts of CSR initiatives by platinum companies on community sustainable growth and foster strategies that promote the sustainability of CSR initiatives on platinum mining communities in Zimbabwe. The study was hinged on Institutional theory and adopted a mixed-methods research approach, pragmatism philosophy, and a cross-sectional survey design.  A sample size of 354 was used, drawn from community leaders, Ministry of Mines officials, Businesspersons, and School Heads from major platinum Mines in Zimbabwe, namely Unki, Mimosa, and Zimplats.  Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were used for quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. An interview guide and structured questionnaires were used as research instruments.  SPSS version 23 with Amos was used for analyzing quantitative data whilst NVivo 12 was used for the analysis of qualitative data.  The findings showed that CSR socially helps the vulnerable groups in platinum mining communities, sustainable recycling helps build community trust and reputation and natural resources replenishment. The study found that strategies that may be employed within the platinum mining sector to promote sustainability of CSR initiatives on platinum mining communities in Zimbabwe are legislation of CSR that compels for platinum mines to compulsorily undertake economic responsibility, ethical practices, philanthropism and involving community leaders in CSR initiatives.  This study recommends that platinum mines should commit themselves to ethical, economic, and philanthropic practices.