Many mining, oil, and gas companies operating in China are aware of the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility to build their social license to operate in local communities and contribute to local human development through their operations. However, because these practices are newer in China, and because there is a lack of locally-relevant information and resources, designing and implementing these programs in China can still be a challenge.

In order to meet the challenge, BSR and CIMG launched an Extractives Industry CSR Working Group based in China, i.e. EIWG. Through the working group, we believe there are strong benefits to regularly bringing companies and their stakeholders together to discuss and share CSR practices in a structured way. There are three key objectives for EIWG.

• Awareness-raising. The group will raise awareness amongst participants on the merits of taking a proactive, strategic approach to managing CSR in their businesses and understand the latest trends and developments in how companies manage these issues both globally and locally.
• Information & Good Practice Sharing. The group will also serve as a platform for companies to exchange information and share best practice on effective CSR practice for companies operating in China and for Chinese companies operating abroad.
• Engaging with Stakeholders. In addition to company participants, the group will regularly integrate government, NGO, academics and technical experts into the meetings.

The working group got sponsorship from Shell, Sino Gold, BHP, and Chevron. In 2008, EIWG hold two major CSR events in China's extractives industry: the kick off meeting on March 25 and its first meeting on July 18 in Beijing.