| Over the past two decades there has been a resurgence of interest in exploiting sub-Saharan Africa's mineral wealth, largely as a result of globalization and the permeation of capital activity into all comers of the earth. Although widely debated, this resurgence has in many instances undermined the social, economic and political progress of nation-states in Africa.;Using a mix of qualitative research methodologies, including in-depth interviewing, website analysis, participant observation and autoethnography, this dissertation examines this emerging trend of collaboration. It endeavours to understand more fully the practitioners' motivations and approaches to collaboration, and the tensions, opportunities and dilemmas embedded within this work.;The findings of the study suggest that an essential tension within collaborative relationships arise as the culture of community development, with its process orientation and people-centered focus, clashes with the profit and task efficiency orientation of business/mining. This is further complicated by the often weakened role, capacity and commitment of the state, and the dynamics of power within, and among, communities, consultants, NGOs, companies and governments. There is also the contradictory push and pull of collaborations aspiring towards strong, organized, healthy functioning communities, which mining companies often fear and sometimes resist. Yet, as this research demonstrates, there are opportunities for collaborative relationships to contribute to building both physical and social infrastructure within communities. It will require however, critical self-reflection and considered analysis by practitioners individually and collectively, in order to honour community development's commitment to empowerment and environmental and social justice.;Responding to public pressure, the mining sector has made efforts to improve their 'environmental and social performance', assisted by a growing pool of development practitioners, consultants and organizations willing to collaborate. It is predominantly the major mining companies who are shaping the sectors response to the demand for greater corporate social responsibility, accountability and sustainability. It is practitioners, mainly from the global north, comfortable operating within a social planning/locality development perspective, who are attracted to the perceived opportunities of private sector collaboration. And, although we share some values, strategies and methodologies, the critical, socio-political analysis which underpins our work is uneven in breadth and depth. |
