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This paper aims to contribute a new way to carry out outcome mapping (OM) for corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects based on three elements: the lifecycle of the CSR project, its stakeholders and sustainability outcomes. To develop this new OM, CSR projects in the mining industry are analyzed to discover their economic, environment and societal impacts.

A multiple-case study approach is used. Data were collected through direct observations and documents, and complementary attitudinal feedback was also obtained from interviews with community, government and industry leaders.

Mapping the CSR project lifecycle, stakeholders and sustainability outcomes simultaneously generate a better approximation of the real impact of the projects that are analyzed. Each stage of the lifecycle reveals new sustainability outcomes for each stakeholder.

This paper provides a new approach to OM and therefore provides a new way to assess CSR projects.

The aim of the study is to propose a model for conducting socially responsible operations in the mining industry, thriving to reach and sustain world-class standards in regard to profitability and environmental sustainability. The model uses a framework built upon a set of best practices in social responsibility by some of the largest mining companies in Peru.

The methodology adopted emphasizes the scrutiny of best practices among 92 initiatives undertaken by 10 companies – 5 large and 5 mid-sized companies as measured by the ratio “amount of investment” – which contributed most to prevent social conflict escalation. Data set received input from in-depth interviews to managers in charge of social affairs as well as from interviews to social constituents – beneficiaries and local authorities. Content analysis supported data processing and analysis of results.

Main findings comprise the following: distinct schemes for managing social responsibility in dependence upon impact evaluation indicators were found, which help to organize three models for conducting mining operations: traditional mining, up-to-date mining, and sustainability-oriented mining; evidence of distinct pathways undergone by large- and mid-sized companies in their quest to up-scale their corporate social responsibility profile.

Overall results from this study suggest the feasibility to modeling the social responsibility of mining companies in accordance to three dimensions – social, economic, and environmental – that draw from the analysis of best practices undertaken by large- and mid-sized companies.