Impact of emerging technologies on corporate social responsibility in mining industry

Abstract

The mining industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental and social impacts, particularly in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The rapid development of emerging technologies has the potential to reshape CSR practices, but little is known about the specific effects on the mining sector. This study investigates how emerging technologies have influenced CSR in 1299 Chinese mining companies from 2010 to 2022. Using fixed-effects regressions, the analysis reveals that the adoption of advanced technologies significantly improves environmental performance by reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. Additionally, these technologies enhance safety standards, leading to a measurable decrease in workplace accidents. However, the study also finds that while technological integration boosts transparency and stakeholder engagement, its impact on long-term social welfare remains mixed. The findings suggest that policy efforts should focus on incentivizing technological innovation while ensuring that CSR frameworks are robust enough to address both environmental and social concerns in the mining industry.