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SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

There is an expectation that the private sector can and should play a significant role in promoting and supporting the delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This SDG calls for policies and strategies that promote economic diversification, job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation—while decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.

Although large-scale mining provides relatively limited direct employment, these jobs are often well-paid and come with benefits. The sector also generates significant economic multipliers through local procurement and contributions to GDP, particularly in resource-dependent economies. Achieving inclusive growth requires effective revenue management and a strong focus on economic diversification.

What companies need to know to manage impacts or make a positive contribution
  1. The skills-base local to their operations and opportunities to provide employment, training, or to support local procurement.
  2. The likely economic impact of their presence on local communities (both positive and negative) and how to manage or mitigate adverse impacts where these arise.
  3. The capacity of government to collect and manage large revenue flows, and the scope to strengthen transparency or government capacity where appropriate.
Minimising negative impacts Maximising positive contributions
  • Communicate early and widely the capital-intensive (rather than labour-intensive) nature of mining to help manage expectations.
  • Provide non-discriminatory and equal opportunity employment and contracting opportunities, with an emphasis on local hires.
  • Work with contractors to ensure the company’s commitments to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment are understood and applied.
  • Ensure no child labour or forced labour is used within the company supply chain.
  • Commit to ambitious local employment and procurement targets and invest in capacity to supply the mine with labour, goods, services and materials.
  • Collaborate with government, aid agencies and other companies to enhance broader economic development opportunities.
  • Invest in the capacity of host communities to become economically productive beyond the mine life.
  • Actively engage in initiatives to support transparency and governance such as EITI (the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) to enhance revenue management.