Managing Social Responsibilities in the Extractive Industries: Exploring Cultural Impacts of Displacement and Resettlement Practice in Mining

Abstract

This study aims to develop better insights into displacement and resettlement practice in mining and underlying impacts on a community's culture, in light of the growing institutionalisation of the practice in such settings. We address the question whether displacement and resettlement practice in mining is, in fact, a realistic ambition to restore and prioritise a displaced community's cultural values or rather a socially (or ethically) responsible approach to mining operations. This study rests on a qualitative, in-depth case study analysis. The case involves two communities affected by displacement and resettlement practice in mining, namely, Akoti in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality and Obrayeko in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality; both located in the Western North region of Ghana. Data were collected through interviews with four key informants throughout an ongoing dialogue with them over a period of six months. Additionally, informal talks with various stakeholders of the two communities were performed. A qualitative narrative analysis method was used to analyse the data, and thereby, avoiding data fragmentation. The findings suggest that displacement and resettlement practice in mining face some overarching issues, including decreasing social trust, extent of ethical CSR practice, and challenges associated with loss of ancestral lands/heritage. This study's findings serve to inform corporate decisions as to the internal awareness of culture and associated elements, i.e., customs, traditions, norms, beliefs and value systems that impinge on displacement and resettlement practice in mining. Limitations of this study include limited data available, particularly interviews, which provides basis for future research. Our findings contribute to the literature by identifying the culture-related issues that arise from displacement and resettlement practice in mining, and responds to calls for further research that takes a sector-specific approach -both in mining and in other sectors where resettlement is common, and also calls for further research that explores culture-related issues at stake in corporate activities.