Corporate Social Responsibility During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Extractive Sector

The COVID-19 pandemic, the worst threat to world health in a century, has unavoidably resulted in social and economic stress in all countries where companies in the extractive sector operate businesses, especially in developing countries. The extractive sector is crucial to the economy of many countries with a wealth of natural resources. The sector can improve people’s lives in developing countries by helping to alleviate poverty, boost economic growth that benefits everyone, and improve living standards. However, the sector has felt the effects of COVID-19 outbreaks similar to those felt by other economic sectors. Thus, people’s ability to earn a living in many countries was affected because those countries enacted disaster management laws and regulations and state of emergency laws and regulations, such as imposing nationwide lockdowns, to combat the ability of the virus to spread. Even though the focus is now on restoring stability and getting ready for economic recovery, human rights still hold significant importance. These rights include freedom from harm, a healthy environment, and a decent working environment for people in hazardous environments such as those operating in the extractive sector. In times of emergency, such as when there is a pandemic or a crisis, it is a common practice to place the welfare and rights of workers and communities lower on the priority list, raising the ethical consciousness of companies doing business in poor communities. Therefore, the extractive industry’s role in its corporate social responsibility mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic has been questioned. This chapter seeks to discuss this issue in detail.