Mining from a conflicting to a collaborative activity: Review of literature

Authors

  • Jan Feyen Dirección de Investigación de la Universidad de Cuenca (DIUC), Av. 12 de Abril s/n, Cuenca, Ecuador.
  • Patricio Crespo Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y Ciencias Ambientales (iDRHICA) & Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Av. 12 de Abril s/n, Cuenca, Ecuador.
  • Rolando Célleri Departamento de Recursos Hídricos y Ciencias Ambientales (iDRHICA) & Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Av. 12 de Abril s/n, Cuenca, Ecuador.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18537/mskn.06.02.06

Keywords:

mining, corporate model, communication, collaboration, environmental impacts, mitigation, remediation, restoration, Ecuador

Abstract

This article states that the confrontational attitude between local communities pushed by lobbying groups, eventually with the support of local governments, and mining companies can be turned into a corporate communication and cooperation model. Several of the large mining companies recently adopted a corporate business model in which ample room is given to the social and economic desires of the communities living nearby mining sites. Proposed actions that contribute to a collaborative attitude are the investment of time in the setting up of a communication model, the negotiation of impact and benefit agreements, involving community members in the organization and exploitation of services and the provision of goods, training of locals in conservation and restoration techniques and related technologies, and making available infrastructure and equipment as to enable locals developing economic activities which they independently can continue after mine closure. Involving the local scientific community, eventually in association with environmentalists, in activities of monitoring, mitigation, remediation and restoration helps this sector to develop capacity which will be beneficial in educational and research related programs. Governments’ participation will culminate in a better legal framework and the development of more efficient protocols for the verification if mining is conducted in an ethical, social and environmental sound manner.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

ACIL Tasman Ltd., 2006. Cost and benefits of CSIRO robotic mining R&D. Economics Policy Strategy report to CSIRO’s Lapsing Program Review. ACIL Tasman Ltd., Australia, 44 pp.

Aguilar, G., 2001. Access to genetic resources and protection of traditional knowledge in the territories of indigenous peoples. Environ. Sci. Policy, 4(4), 241-256.

Aubynn, A., 2009. Sustainable solution or a marriage of inconvenience? The coexistence of large-scale mining and artisanal and small-scale mining on the Abosso Goldfields concession in Western Ghana. Resour. Policy, 34(1), 64-70.

Bebbington, A., D. Humphreys Bebbington, J. Bury, J. Lingan, J.P. Munoz, M. Scurrah, 2008. Mining and social movements: Struggles over livelihood and rural territorial development in the Andes. World Dev., 36(12), 2888-2905.

Burley, M.H.L., 2000. Impact equity and Canadian mining in Ecuador: A case study of stakeholder perspectives from communities, government and industry. MSc dissertation, School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 306 pp.

Byers, J.E., K. Cuddington, C.G. Jones, T.S. Talley, A. Hastings, J.G. Lambrinos, J.A. Crooks, W.G. Wilson, 2006. Using ecosystem engineers to restore ecological systems. Trends Ecol. Evol., 21(9), 493-500.

Cao, X., 2007. Regulating mine land reclamation in developing countries: The case of China. Land Use Policy, 24(2), 472-483.

Castro, S.H., M. Sánchez, 2003. Environmental viewpoint on small-scale copper, gold and silver mining in Chile. J. Clean. Prod., 11(2), 207-213.

Downing, T.E., J. Moles, I. McIntosh, C. Garcia-Downing, 2002. Indigenous peoples and mining encounters: Strategies and tactics. IIED and WBCSD, Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, Report 57, 41 pp.

Fidler, C., M. Hitch, 2007. Impact and benefit agreements: A contentious issue for aboriginal and environmental justice. Environments J., 35(2), 49-69.

Fields, S., 2006. The price of gold in Chile. Environ. Health Persp., 114(9), A536-A539.

Finnie, B., J. Stuart, L. Gibson, F. Zabriskie, 2009. Balancing environmental and industry sustainability: A case study of the US gold mining industry. J. Environ. Manage., 90(12), 3690-3699.

Gogal, S., R. Riegert, J. Jamieson, 2005. Aboriginal impact and benefit agreements: Practical considerations. Alta Law Rev., 43(1), 129-157.

González Zenteno, P., 1999. Tratamiento normativa de la fase minera post operacional en los países mineros Latinoamericanos y la planificación del cierre. IDRC-CIID. 174 pp. Available at https://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/30396/1/115216.pdf.

Gosar, M., 2004. Environmental impacts of mining. Materials and Geoenvironment, 51(4), 2097-2107.

Haarstad, H., A. Floysand, 2007. Globalization and the power of rescaled narratives: A case of opposition to mining in Tambogrande, Peru. Polit. Geogr., 26(3), 289-308.

Hagerman, E., 1996. Communicating with indigenous peoples: Lessons from Guyana. Université du Québec, Montréal, Canada, MSc dissertation, 107 pp.

Harrison, G.W., T.F. Rutherford, D.G. Tarr, 2003. Trade liberalization, poverty and efficient equity. J. Dev. Econ., 71(1): 97-128.

Hilson, G., 2002. An overview of land use conflicts in mining communities. Land Use Policy, 19(1): 65-73.

Hilson, G., A.J. Monhemius, 2006. Alternatives to cyanide in the gold mining industry: What prospects for the future? J. Clean. Prod., 14, 1158-1167.

Horowitz, L.S., 2008. ''It's up to the clan to protect'': Cultural heritage and the micropolitical ecology of conservation in New Caledonia. Soc. Sci. J., 45(2), 258-278.

Hudson, T.L., F.D. Fox, G.S. Plumlee,1999. Metal mining and the environment. AGI - Environment Awareness Series, 3, 68 pp. Available at http://www.agiweb.org/environment/publications/ metalsfull.pdf.

Idemudia, U., 2009. Assessing corporate-community involvement strategies in the Nigerian oil industry: An empirical analysis. Resour. Policy, 34(3), 133-141.

Kennett, S., 1999. A guide to impact and benefits agreements. Canadian Institute of Resources Law, ISBN-13: 978-0-919269-48-4, 120 pp.

Kumah, A., 2006. Sustainability and gold mining in the developing world. J. Clean. Prod., 14(3): 315-323.

Li, MS., 2006. Ecological restoration of mineland with particular reference to the metalliferous mine wasteland in China: A review of research and practice. Sci. Total Environ., 357(1), 38-53.

Maponga, O., C.F. Ngorima, 2003. Overcoming environmental problems in the gold panning sector through legislation and education: the Zimbabwean experience. J. Clean. Prod., 11(2): 147-157.

Mayes, W.M., D. Johnston, H.A.B. Potter, A.P. Jarvis, 2009. A national strategy for identification, prioritization and management of pollution from abandoned non-coal mine sites in England and Wales. I. Methodology development and initial results. Sci. Total Environ., 407, 5435-5447.

McColl, G.D., 1980. The mining industry and the natural environment. Resour. Policy, 6(2), 153-165.

McKinley, A., 2008. The drivers and performance of corporate environmental and social responsibility in the Canadian mining industry. University of Toronto, Geography Department and Center for Environment, MA dissertation, 238 pp.

McLellan, B.C., G.D. Corder, D. Giurco, S. Green, 2009. Incorporating sustainable development in the design of mineral processing operations - Review and analysis of current approaches. J. Clean. Prod., 17(16), 1414-1425.

Mendez, M.O., R.M. Maier, 2008. Phytostabilization of mine tailings in arid and semiarid environments: An emerging remediation technology. Environ. Health Persp., 116(3), 278-283.

Mitich, M., 2010. Sustainable approaches to a reform of coal mining industry in Serbia. J. Sustain. Dev., 3(1), 61-68.

Mudd, G.M., 2007. Global trends in gold mining: Towards quantifying environmental and resource sustainability. Resources Policy, 32(1), 42-56.

Nare, L., D. Love, Z. Hoko, 2006. Involvement of stakeholders in the water quality monitoring and surveillance system: The case of Mzingwane Catchment, Zimbabwe. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 31(15-16), 707-712.

O'Faircheallaigh, C., 2010. Public participation and environmental impact assessment: Purposes, implications, and lessons for public policy making. Environ. Impact Assess., 30(1): 19-27.

OXFAM, 2009. Mining conflicts in Peru: Condition critical. 14 pp. Available at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/mining-conflicts-in-peru-condition-critical.pdf.

Petterson, M.G., D. Tolia, S.J. Cronin, R. Addison, 2008. Communicating geoscience to indigenous people: examples from the Solomon Islands. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 305, 141-161.

Pick, W., S. Naidoo, F. Ajani, V. Onwukwe, R. Hansia, O. Bielu, 2003. Prevalence of alcohol and cannabis use and reported knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding its relationship with health and safety on mines in South Africa. Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee: Wits School of Public Health, Health 712, Johannesburg, South Africa, 85 pp.

Sim-Hee, H., L. Jae-Cheon, J. Suk-Seong, K. Pan-Gi, 2004. Composted sewage sludge can improve the physiological properties of Betula schmidtii grown in tailings. J. Plant Biol., 47(2), 99-104.

Sosa, I., K. Keenan, 2001. Impact benefit agreements between aboriginal communities and mining companies: Their use in Canada. 29 pp. Available at http://www.cela.ca/files/ uploads/IBAeng.pdf.

Spiegel, S.J., M.M Veiga, 2010. International guidelines on mercury management in small-scale gold mining. J. Clean. Prod., 18(4), 375-385.

Straede, S., T. Treue, 2006. Beyond buffer zone protection: A comparative study of park and buffer zone products' importance to villagers living in its buffer zone. J. Environ. Manage., 78(3), 251-267.

Tarras-Wahlberg, N.H., A. Flachier, S.N. Lane, O. Sangfors, 2001. Environmental impacts and metal exposure of aquatic ecosystems in rivers contaminated by small scale gold mining: The Puyango River basin, southern Ecuador. Sci. Total Environ., 278(1), 239-261.

Tordoff, G.M., A.J.M. Baker, A.J. Willis, 2000. Current approaches to the revegetation and reclamation of metalliferous mine wastes. Chemosphere, 41(1-2), 219-228.

Williams, M., 1990. Mining future - Environmentalists try to stave off rush for State’s minerals. Seattle Times, Sunday, December 30, 5 pp. Available at http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19901230&slug=1111986.

Wallace, T.C., M.K. Hall-Wallace, 2003. Minerals of the Andes: Emeralds, gold, and silver from the sky. Rocks & Minerals, 78(1), 28 pp. Available at http://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 233151998_Minerals_of_the_Andes_Emeralds_Gold_and_Silver_from_the_Sky.

Zhang, L., Q. Liu, N.W. Hall, Z. Fu, 2007. An environmental accounting framework applied to green space ecosystem planning for small towns in China as a case study. Ecol. Econ., 60(3), 533-542.

Downloads

Published

2015-12-15

How to Cite

Feyen, J., Crespo, P., & Célleri, R. (2015). Mining from a conflicting to a collaborative activity: Review of literature. Maskana, 6(2), 79–87. https://doi.org/10.18537/mskn.06.02.06

Issue

Section

Research articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

> >>