The CSR imperative is on us

摘要

It may be the inherent cynicism of journal-ists, or the fact that after years of hearing the same old cliches I have been brow-beaten by it all, but when it comes to mining executives speaking on corporate social responsibility (CSR) my eyes tend to glaze over.This is not because I feel it isn't a worthy cause. Indeed, in my seven years with Paydirt, each of my editors has always championed those companies who have made genuine strides in the areas of community development and corporate citizenship, particularly in regards to Australian companies operating on the African continent.However, attending Diggers & Dealers in Kalgoorlie once again, I realised just how blase some of the industry is about its obligations, a situation that has worsened as equity markets continue to slide and the fight over the MRRT drags on. Suddenly, CSR seems like a luxury we can't afford to have.