Abstract

MURGUIA, Diego. Sustainable mining?: Analysis of the social conflict in Bajo de la Alumbrera viewed from its sustainability reports and critical stakeholders. Estudios Socioterritoriales [online]. 2013, vol.13. ISSN 1853-4392.

The relationship between large-scale metal mining and its impacts is a topic of growing discussions in Argentina. Multinational mining corporations publish sustainability reports in order to show their social responsibility and contributions to sustainable development. These reports promote a higher transparency but doubts remain as to its usefulness to improve relationships with communities. By using a descriptive-explanatory method, this study analyses the 2009 Sustainability Report of Bajo de la Alumbrera mine so as to assess its quality and compare the " reality" painted by the company with the views of conflict by critical stakeholders. Results, validated with reports from other years, show the need to improve the information reported for conflictive indicators and, along with local governments, to implement a significant change in the way of making decisions, especially by engaging critical stakeholders.

Keywords : Mining; Conflicts; Sustainability reports; Bajo de la Alumbrera.

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