Corporate Social Responsibility: Adopt Guidelines or Wait for Government Regulations

By Sean Addie
Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011 Blogger

The three hundred delegates that attended yesterday morning’s CSR workshop were confronted directly by panellists; the industry can adopt CSR guidelines, or expect government regulation.

Joseph Ringwald of Selwyn Resources Ltd. didn’t mince words when he asserted that “bill C-300 is not dead.”  He went on to say that since the industry “didn’t come back with a reasonable alternative” we can expect it to return.

The panel appeared unified in believing that this is why the mineral industry must more thoroughly adopt the voluntary CSR guidelines that exist. Bernarda Elizalde from PDAC presented on the “e3plus” voluntary guidelines.  e3plus is one of many voluntary CSR guidelines that help industry create lasting partnerships with stakeholders.

Ringwald noted that not adhering to the guidelines represents an unnecessary risk.  While speaking about projects that failed due to the loss of the social license to operate Ringwald noted “you don’t need to see many of these to see the value of [CSR].”

Another method for avoiding social strife was presented by Canada’s CSR Counsellor, Marketa Evans.  She opened the session by discussing her work in creating a dispute resolution mechanism for international mineral development related conflicts.  Evans’ emphasised the mechanisms role as a balanced and neutral place for dialogue but admitted that it was “no silver bullet.” 

The panel seemed in agreement, there might not be one single silver bullet, but a company can raise the likelihood of success by pro-actively engaging with all stakeholders and maintaining genuine and honest relationships with local communities.