Maravi

Scott reminds mines of their social responsibility

COMMENT - There are only 3 responsibilities the mines have: 1) Pay all the taxes that you are due to pay and 2) don't pollute, and 3) treat your employees well.

Scott reminds mines of their social responsibility
By Gift Chanda
Thu 21 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Guy Scott has urged mining firms to consider investing in communities they operate in to enhance their social responsibility.

Speaking at the 2nd Zambia international mining and energy conference in Lusaka yesterday, Vice-President Scott said it was important for the government and the mining companies to coexist to improve the lives of the people especially on the Copperbelt where previous mine owners worked with the communities in providing various social amenities to the local people.

He noted that despite the number of mining firms on the Copperbelt, there had been little social responsibility shown towards reinvesting in the communities mining firms operate in.

Vice-President Scott bemoaned the rate at which infrastructure has rundown, citing the road network which had become an eyesore while recreation had become non-existent.

"If you look at the Copperbelt it is an eyesore and roads are full of portholes unlike the way it was during the colonial times when companies like Roan Selection Trust existed," he said.

"The mining industry in those days was very much part of the Zambian society. My concern about the mining industry and the energy industry for that matter is that they become domesticated, they become part of Zambia's life, part of Zambia's social life. If you look around in the Copperbelt even today it looks like one big ghost town in most places."

A number of mining companies on the Copperbelt have in recent years initiated corporate social responsibilities.

However, despite the desire by companies to provide social amenities, many people in such areas feel the companies are not doing enough to translate their profits into bettering their lives.

Labels: GUY SCOTT, MINING

posted by MrK @ 4:25 PM