THE spread of the sustainable development concept around the world has meant that major companies are increasingly considering their role in preserving the environment in the face of the threat of climate change and solving social problems in the regions where they operate.

The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly relevant. Following this concept, companies make voluntary commitments to improve the lives of people by supporting healthcare, education, environmental protection and the development of culture and sport.

Companies implementing projects in the nuclear sector pay special attention to CSR. Modern nuclear technologies have enabled nuclear energy to achieve the status of environmentally safe, thanks to advanced methods of ensuring the safety of all processes in the industry, from uranium mining to the disposal and regeneration of nuclear waste. However, it is important for companies in the sector to ensure that consumers have access to energy resources and to guarantee that local communities benefit from the projects.

In 2019, the scientific journal of Universal Excellence published an extensive study by Milan Simonovic, a nuclear technology expert who has worked in top positions in the Slovenian nuclear industry for more than 20 years. With the support of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), he surveyed the top management and owners of member companies about their motives for implementing CSR policies. The results showed that the main incentive for implementing socially significant projects was not the desire to generate secondary benefits, but the personal ethical and moral values of the respondents. NPP operators and owners showed a high willingness to meet the expectations of society at large.

The commitment of companies involved in nuclear energy projects to CSR can also be seen on the African continent, where uranium mining is taking place in several countries. In Africa, companies are investing primarily in programmes to improve medical infrastructure, build schools and provide clean water and energy to the population. By helping to implement environmentally friendly technologies, they are helping to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.

The activities of Mantra Tanzania Limited, a uranium mining company in Tanzania, are an example of successful CSR implementation. The company is actively involved in the development of local infrastructure. It also invests in education and healthcare. Recently, the company allocated more than 580m/- ($231,000) to implement CSR programmes. In 2023, it adopted a five-year plan to further develop initiatives in this area and increased the staff of its local community department.

For the implementation of CSR programmes, the company allocates approximately 251m/- ($100,000) per year even though it has not started production. Among the most significant projects is the long-term support of the Namtumbo District Hospital.

Construction of the hospital started in 2014; the first patients were admitted in 2018. The Namtumbo Selous Charity Marathon, which took place in 2017 with the support of Mantra, greatly accelerated the construction process. The hospital helped solve the problem of inaccessible healthcare for the local population – the nearest medical facility was 64km from Namtumbo. Today, the hospital has 21 beds, receives about 60 outpatients per day and provides a wide range of services. Recent support to the facility includes the transfer of a 30m/- ($11,800) Chemical analyser machine to improve the quality of laboratory diagnostics for patients. The company is also helping to improve access to healthcare in the Likuyu ward by donating TZS 36 million ($14,300) for the construction of a mother and child unit in 2023.

“The long-term, successful operation of uranium mining projects in Africa requires not only environmental protection measures but also corporate social responsibility initiatives. Building social infrastructure alongside the economic benefits of the projects will help to significantly improve the lives of local communities and support African countries' efforts to achieve sustainable development” – notes Benjamin Mchwampaka, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tanzania Chamber of Mines.

Companies implementing nuclear projects in Africa not only strive to ensure the environmental safety of their projects, but also improve the lives of local communities by implementing CSR programmes. They make a significant contribution to the social development of the countries in which they operate through programmes in the areas of health, education, environmental protection, culture and sport.