Module 7:  Natural Resource Extraction – the Case of Mining

 

Objectives:

 

·         to appreciate the 21st century mining rural landscape in North America

·         to understand the complexity and nuances of sustainability as applied to mining

·          to identify how rural communities perceive their benefits and impacts

·         to

 

Background:

 

Mines today are located in rural and often remote districts.  Modern mines often open for a few years (5-10), exhaust the economically available ore, close up, and according to national and state/province laws continue monitoring water quality and integrity of waste remains.  More often than not, large mining corporations work closely with national and local governments to plan and permit the stages of mine development.  Frequently these mines are located near indigenous and peasant agricultural communities who view the mines as job providers and as polluters.  Needless to say, most mine development in North America is contentious. 

 

This module looks at contemporary proposed mine projects in rural locations from the viewpoint of the residents nearby.  All mines pollute, and water systems (surface and underground) are particularly vulnerable to acid mine drainage and other forms of pollution.  National and local regulations vary in scope and enforcement.  However, the general rule is to contain and isolate any contamination as much as possible and then, when the mine closes, to monitor water quality and environmental integrity of the abandoned mine.  How do local and nearby communities of workers and residents navigate the difficult policy and political process to insure mines are responsible citizens?  If they don’t want to host a mine, how to they make their voices heard?  How do they define the issues that affect them?  How do they work with or contest the powerful decision-making institutions (corporations, national governments)?  Are there similarities or differences between national approaches to mining and resolving local issues (Canada, U.S., and Mexico)? 

 

The mining industry and national governments (particularly Canada) have begun discussions about “responsible” and “sustainable” mining in order to develop best practices for technology, water protection, and community involvement.  What might “sustainable mining” look like?  Can we apply principles of rural sustainability to mining projects or are we making national “sacrifice zones” out of our large-scale mining regions for the economic benefit of the nation or industry?

 

Your readings introduce you to perspectives on mining conflict in rural zones from the perspective of indigenous and other small communities.  Because mining projects are national development projects there are major institutional actors who often have more influence than local residents.  As a result, local environmental justice movements often arise around community issues such as water protection, preservation of sacred sites, mine tailing dumping, commitment of the mine company to local hiring and social services to mitigate the boom-bust cycle, and to ecosystem protection (such as fisheries).  NGOs often collaborate with community groups to help give voice to local concerns and needs.  Questions of sustainability are usually clothed in language about human rights, environmental protection, and sovereignty.  The readings below will enable our discussion of the issues across national boundaries and to specific cases of mine development in North America.

 

 

 

 

Readings:   These readings and community case studies introduce you to the debate on the impact of mining on indigenous communities and rural locations.   Pay attention to the types of spatial and social impacts of mining, the concerns that communities raise, the reasons for resistance by some communities to new mine development, and the types of safeguards that are in place (or not) in different locations.  There is a vigorous debate as to whether mining is sustainable and if we have adequate public policies in place to ensure mining projects are responsible to rural community needs. 

 

Overview of mining and indigenous communities:

 Ali, S. H. (2003) Mining, the Environment and Indigenous Development Conflicts. University of Arizona Press. 2003. (Selections in pdf document-Chs. 1-3)   

 

Proposal for Responsible Mining:

Miranda, Chambers, and Coumans. Framework for Responsible Mining: A Guide to Evolving Standards. Center for Science in Public Participation. 2005. http://www.csp2.org/reports/Framework%20for%20Responsible%20Mining.pdf

(READ: Chapter 3, pp. 47-95)

 

Critique of Sustainable Mining:

Kirch, S. Sustainable Mining. Dialectical Anthropology.  2010. 34:87-93.

 

 

Three Community Studies:

1.       Mexico - Chiapas

“Mining in Chiapas” (2008) SIPAZ Report Vol. 8, No. 4 

  http://www.sipaz.org/fini_eng.htm - search for Oct 2008 Report, then scroll down to find article.

OR

 PDF of article HERE

 

2.        U.S.- Lake Superior

“Mining Madness, Water Ward: The Great Lakes in the Balance” (33 minutes total)

Chapter 1 (108 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 2 (72 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 3 (48 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 4 (44 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 5 (156 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 6 (115 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 7 (75 MB Quicktime movie file)

Chapter 8 (0.2 MB Quicktime movie file)

 

 

3.       Canada – British Columbia

                 Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine

MiningWatch video (2009): http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/proposed-prosperity-gold-copper-mine  (40 minutes) 

 

Resources:

                NGO’s:

·         MiningWatch Canada:   http://www.miningwatch.ca/

·         Earthworks (U.S.):   http://www.earthworksaction.org/home.cfm

Sustainable Mining Initiatives:

·         The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (Canada) :  http://www.responsiblemining.net/index.html

·         Towards Sustainable Mining – Primer (February 2010). Mining Assoc. of Canada:  http://www.mining.ca/www/media_lib/TSM_101/MAC_TSM_101_Primer_February_2010_FINAL.pdf

·         Mining, Minerals, and Sustainable Development. Report. 2002. (International Institute for Environment & Development [England]): http://www.iied.org/sustainable-markets/key-issues/business-and-sustainable-development/mining-minerals-and-sustainable-development

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1.       What is sustainable mining?  Is it a viable concept?  Is responsible mining the same concept?

2.       What is a sacrifice zone?  What is a No-Go Zone?   What does this terminology imply about mining impacts and resource conflict?  Can we agree on principles for defining them?

3.       How are indigenous communities different from/similar to other rural communities in their approach to mining? 

4.       What are the different ways that mining companies engage rural/indigenous communities in North America?

5.       How would you compare the experiences of the communities in the three case studies? 

 

Concepts:

sustainable mining

responsible mining

environmental justice

national resource conflicts

community impact assessment

 

 

Faculty Contact for questions:   Dr. Carol MacLennan, Michigan Technological University, camac@mtu.edu