Exploratory study on social responsibility in the coal mining industry in the department of Boyacá, based on the guidelines of the ISO 26000 standard

• Published in: Signos Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 69 - 87
• Main Authors: Lida Yasmín Pardo Barón, Laura Catalina Sánchez Rincón
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad Santo Tomás 01.01.2013
• Subjects: desarrollo sostenible; ISO 26000; minería del carbón; responsabilidad social
• ISSN: 2145-1389; 2463-1140
• DOI: 10.15332/s2145-1389.2013.0001.04

The mining industry is questioned because it is considered an extractive activity that has negative impact on the environment and because its contribution to the country’s economic development is minimal, since it belongs to the primary sector of the economy and because it is perceived that the social condition of populations around the mines is overall unfortunate. This research focuses on a proposal to promote contribution to sustainable development in the coal miningindustry in the department of Boyacá, identifying elements that allow a socially responsible management, according to guidelines of the ISO 26000 model. To delimit the population under study a convenience sampling was conducted, and in each one of the chosen organizations data was collected through survey and observation, to determine which aspects focused on social responsibility are established in coal mining companiesof the department. As a result of the research, it was found that the principles of social responsibility handled by companies of the coal mining industry in Boyacá are focused on seekingthe organization’s economic benefit, without considering a benefit for the community. Regarding the environmental surrounding, only minimal requirements to operate legally are met, although informal mines ignore many of the regulations required by the State. As a contribution for solving this problem, a documentary tool (booklet) was produced to circulate among the companies of the industry the principles of social responsibility outlined in the ISO 26000 Standard, in a simple and practical form, seeking to generate their commitmentwith sustainable development.