The Earthquake Epicentre Model: A spatially targeted framework for effective corporate social responsibility in mining communities

Abstract

Orientation: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining sector is often critiqued for its limited impact on economically vulnerable communities near extraction sites. A significant challenge lies in the diverse perceptions surrounding the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of CSR initiatives, resulting in initiatives that fail to address the unique needs of affected communities.
Research purpose: This systematic review analyses CSR in mining literature from 2020 to 2025, introducing the ‘Earthquake Epicentre Model’ to refine CSR interventions for greater impact.
Motivation for the study: The model proposes concentrating CSR investment at a mining ‘epicentre’ near operational sites, diminishing proportionally with distance to reflect the disproportionate impact on nearby communities. This model also integrates a flexible, zone-specific stakeholder participation approach.
Research design, approach and method: This inquiry adopts a systematic review to delineate prevailing lacunae in the literature on CSR practices in the mining sector, with reference to community-level concerns.
Main findings: The systematic review of literature pointed out a pattern of spatial inequity in CSR benefits. Communities closer to the mine received less investment than those further away.
Practical/managerial implications: The Earthquake Epicentre Model is significant for mining companies, government policies and community development practitioners. Adoption of the model can directly improve the social performance of mining companies, their relationships with local communities and the companies’ contributions to sustainable development. Policymakers can also use the model to design equitable and effective CSR regulation and guidelines.
Contribution/value-add: The Earthquake Epicentre Model addresses these gaps by spatially and proportionally allocating CSR resources relative to the impact level of each community, ensuring maximum benefit for those most impacted.