Rethinking the practices of corporate social responsibility in the mining sector for sustainable development in Tanzania

Abstract

Over the years, corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector has become a worldwide development discourse. Although the mining sector is a significant contributor to economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, effective governance is the missing link. Because of this, mining activities have severely affected human health, food security, livelihoods, and the environment in host communities. This has been associated with persistent conflicts and the resultant loss of livelihoods. While mining companies' activities must conform to international standards and local communities' rights, this has remained limited in practice. Several studies have examined the mining sector's impact on economic performance, few have explored CSR's effectiveness as a valuable sustainable development tool. Therefore, it is unclear how and to what degree CSR initiatives have led to better services in mining areas. The present study reviewed CSR practices in Tanzania's mining sector and their part in local sustainable development. The study explores CSR practices in Tanzania by assessing their performance on sustainable development. It identifies the existing challenges and ways to realize CSR benefits. This suggests that adopting effective accountability measures and enhanced stakeholder engagement for benefit sharing are significant steps in improving sector governance.