Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal最新文献

This study investigates the ineffectiveness of China's work-related injury insurance in protecting mineworkers with pneumoconiosis. Using the FAT (Formal, Actual, and Targeted) institutional analysis framework, the paper examines the discrepancy between the formal rules, the actual practices and the targeted outcomes of the system, based on interviews with 20 pneumoconiosis mineworkers. The paper reveals that the work-related injury insurance system is an empty institution that does not cover most mineworkers, does not compensate them adequately, and does not prevent or treat their disease effectively. The paper also explores the factors that contribute to the system's ineffectiveness, such as the political compromise behind the revision of laws and regulations, the complexity and exclusivity of the eligibility criteria, and the transient and precarious nature of mineworkers’ employment. Furthermore, the paper discusses how the system's failure is mitigated by other social security and assistance mechanisms that provide basic medical and living support for pneumoconiosis patients, but do not address the root causes of their occupational disease or ensure their access to justice and compensation. The paper situates the findings within the political economy of occupational health literature and proposes policy recommendations for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to occupational disease prevention and control in China.

Negotiations and Community Development Agreements (CDA) are a problematic feature in light of indigenous culture because they give the green light to territorial destruction by mining, but also mean the possibility to build other adaptive capacities of an already damaged indigenous culture. Thus, this paper describes some of the effects of negotiation and CDA for indigenous and the corporate sector. While mining companies are trying to obtain their Social License, indigenous communities are forging life projects with the financial support of mining. While the former, is part of the general discourse of CSR as a new version of capitalists’ engagement with local communities, indigenous groups are deploying different strategies to improve their position in an unfavorable institutional scenario. The key hypothesis of this work is that indigenous life in the North needs to be understood in their deep historical relationship with the Chilean State, and -since regaining of democracy- with the mining companies.

Global transitions to low-carbon energy systems are heavily reliant on the large-scale extraction of critical minerals (e.g. cobalt, lithium, rare earth elements). These minerals are key components in green technological developments such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaics and electric vehicle motors. However, research has highlighted the multifaceted social and environmental costs of critical mineral extraction and processing across marginalised parts of the Global South, evidencing significant impacts on local people's health, livelihoods, human rights and land-based resources. This paper centres on epistemic justice in the critical mineral (CM) industry, an under-explored dimension of just energy transitions. Through the analysis, we identify two main forms of epistemic injustice in the CM industry: discriminatory epistemic injustice and distributive epistemic injustice. Building on Heffron's (2020) JUST framework on CM, we highlight the importance of epistemic injustice in the just transition to reveal the power dynamics, socio-environmental injustices, and exclusionary practices in the CM industry. Through bringing new insights on knowledge equity in the context of CM, we recommend creating participatory spaces for dialogue, decision-making, and knowledge sharing, which can facilitate more respectful and equitable interactions between all stakeholders, thereby contributing to more holistic understandings of a ‘planetary just transition’.

This paper contributes to the emerging research on COVID-19 pandemic effects on the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in sub-Sahara Africa. Drawing on the results from a 2022 rapid research visit to a gold mining area in western Kenya, where the authors have been carrying out a multi-year study since 2015, we explore women's distinctly gendered experiences of the mobility 'lock downs’ imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. Our discussion, informed by feminist analysis of social reproduction, considers how women's gendered roles in the household - clothing, feeding and caring for their children and families - and in mine sites, increased their exposure to police violence and food insecurity. We examine our results in relation to findings from the World Bank-funded Delve surveys (2020; 2022), to reflect on the methodological implications, and future research directions, for more fully exploring gendered differences of security in times of ‘crisis’.

This article uses data collected from male and female miners and gemstone traders in an amethyst production zone in Zambia and tanzanite production zone in Tanzania to explore the gendered dynamics of investment of artisanal and small-scale mining profits in local communities. We investigated payment arrangements at mining sites and variations between how men and women are paid; and asked how men and women use proceeds from mining. These research themes allow us to identify mining and non-mining investments made by miners and develop an assessment of the broader, rather than narrow, impacts of ASM on economic livelihood alternatives in the community.

Sand is a vital resource for modern structures but there is limited information on the scale of sand mining or what happens to the sand after it was mined. Here, we focus on Southeast Asia (SEA) as rising affluence and population growth has turned the region into a global sand mining hotspot. We estimated the sand extraction budget in each Southeast Asian country and quantified the volume sand that was exported and imported. In addition, the destinations in which the sand was exported to were detailed and we also clarified the origins of the imported sand. Our analysis revealed that locally mined sand was mostly consumed domestically, and sand was imported if supply was insufficient. In addition, the sand trade in SEA was also predominantly regional. Unfortunately, our understanding of the sand trade in SEA was hampered by limited and inconsistent data. For example, missing data meant that production and trade flows were unavailable for some years. The volume of sand traded between each country was also uncertain due to the mismatch of trade data. Additional information on the type of sand traded was also lacking. The reliability and credibility of existing data should be strengthened to improve material accounting.

This paper examines efforts to integrate women's concerns into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes and policies in India's coal mining sector. This is achieved by taking into consideration the subsidiaries of the largest coal producing company in the country: Coal India Limited. The study finds that, in relation to the various categories that fall under CSR, expenditure on, as well as the nature and number of projects related to, women's welfare is underwhelming. In light of this, the management of Coal India Limited's subsidiaries are urged to prioritise the launching of CSR projects that address women's needs, and which broadly, focus on gender equality and empowerment.

For decades, Afghanistan's mineral fortune has fueled imaginaries. Described as holding trillions of dollars in rare earths, copper, lithium, gold, as well as rare gemstones, the country has attracted the attention of mineral dependent industries and jurisdictions. As the green transition away from fossil fuels is under way, ‘green minerals’ deposits hold the potential to recenter Kabul on global supply maps. While lithium and rare earths appear particularly attractive, the Mes Aynak copper deposit is now at the core of China's involvement in Afghanistan to transform the country as a major supplier. In parallel, security issues remain, with significant waves of violence aimed in particular to foreign investors. In this article we argue that the opening of the Afghan's mineral sector will spur new critical supply and reputational risks for corporate actors and is unlikely to significantly benefit a pauperized population. We identify three overarching risks that should be proactively tackled in international corporate risk management, to limit both reputational risks for these companies and favor a trickle down of at least some of the proceeds to the almost 40 million people under the Islamic Emirate's rule.

Concerns have been expressed concerning the social effect of mining operations on indigenous people in Southeast Asia, calling for a closer look at the matter. This study examines the consequences of mining on indigenous populations from a social, cultural, and economic perspective. The years 2005–2020, when mining projects in the area were active, are the focus of the research.A decision-making model is used to handle the difficulties and complexity of mining in this setting. This approach combines economic and mathematical concepts to maximize mining projects with respect for indigenous populations' interests. The study uncovers the many impacts of mining development on local indigenous people via in-depth data analysis, stakeholder participation, and field research. Land ownership, cultural preservation, economic viability, and ecological stability are highlighted. The findings highlight indigenous populations' difficulties, such as relocation, cultural loss, and environmental destruction.The results also highlight the significance of indigenous people's social well- being prioritized in decision-making processes alongside economic factors. The research shows that ethical mining operations that adhere to these guidelines might lessen the industry has toll on society.This study helps policymakers, mining firms, and other stakeholders better understand the social effects of mining on indigenous people in Southeast Asia.

The changing US energy system raises concerns of job losses among fossil fuel workers. Since these employment impacts vary considerably across the US, policies must be tailored to local contexts. We develop an analytical approach to help policymakers understand the localized opportunities and challenges that energy workers may face. We first estimate the exposure of local labor markets to job displacement in fossil fuel extraction, transportation, processing, and electricity industries. We then assess the extent to which the skill sets of fossil energy workers match similarly-paying jobs with high growth in their local labor markets. We document substantial differences across local labor markets in terms of fossil fuel workforce demographics, their current job skills, and how well these skills align with those for in-demand jobs over the coming decade. We find that other than most technical skills, skills important for fossil fuel jobs typically differ from those necessary for fast-growing occupations with similar levels of pay, many of which require extensive service-oriented and management skills. Our methodology and associated analytical tools can be readily used to provide locally tailored information about skills mismatches between the existing fossil energy workforce and in-demand sectors, suggesting areas where workforce development may bear the most fruit.