In April 2025, a team of researchers led by Setyawan published a comprehensive systematic review examining the role of stakeholders in corporate social responsibility (CSR) across the global mining sector between 2018 and 2025. The study synthesized findings from dozens of peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and policy documents to assess how CSR initiatives influence—and are influenced by— relationships with local communities, governments, NGOs, employees, and investors. The authors concluded that CSR efforts are most effective when they transcend short-term, image-focused campaigns and are instead woven into the fabric of company operations through active stakeholder collaboration and transparent governance structures.
One of the study’s most significant contributions was the identification of three critical enablers that consistently underpin successful CSR in mining: participatory governance, regulatory alignment, and clear information-sharing practices. The research demonstrated that programs developed in isolation—without community input or credible oversight—often fail to meet expectations, fostering skepticism rather than goodwill. In contrast, projects designed around locally prioritized goals, such as infrastructure improvements, capacity building, or environmental stewardship, were found to deliver measurable benefits while building stronger social capital. This alignment of expectations helped companies reduce conflict risk and stabilize their operational environment.
The review’s findings carry an important message for mining firms, policymakers, and financiers: effective CSR has become a core pillar of social license to operate. Companies that treat CSR as a compliance formality or marketing exercise risk eroding trust and inviting opposition, while those that embed stakeholder perspectives into every stage of CSR—from planning to delivery and impact measurement—are better positioned to earn legitimacy and secure long-term project viability. By demonstrating genuine accountability and shared value creation, mining companies can transform CSR from a reactive obligation into a proactive driver of resilience and community partnership.