Benedito Manuel, the general director of CATOCA, emphasized the need for mining companies to go beyond mere social responsibility and prioritize social justice and equity in the distribution of resources, particularly in diamond-rich areas.
Speaking at the panel discussion on “the social responsibility of diamond companies in mining regions” during the Mining Indaba, Manuel stressed the importance of processing the exploited resources locally to create a value chain that fosters job creation and contributes to overall development.
“Companies need to move away from the notion that providing social support alone is sufficient to drive regional development,” Manuel asserted during the panel, which featured participation from investors, operators, and shareholders of multinational corporations.
He highlighted the disparity in some countries where significant mineral resources are extracted, yet development remains elusive.
This underscores the imperative for mining companies to ensure that resource exploitation translates into tangible benefits for local communities and economies.
