Contention and Ambiguity: Mining and the Possibilities of Development

Abstract

The last decade and a half has witnessed a dramatic growth in mining activity in many developing countries. This article reviews these recent trends and describes the debates and conflicts they have triggered. The authors review evidence regarding debates on the resource curse and the possibility of an extraction‐led pathway to development. They then describe the different types of resistance and social mobilization that have greeted mineral expansion at a range of geographical scales, and consider how far these protests have changed the relationships between mining and political economic change. The conclusions address how far such protests might contribute to an ‘escape’ from the resource curse, and consider implications for research and policy agendas.

Neoliberal Mining amid El Niño Induced Drought in the Philippines

“…Just as the World Bank has encouraged foreign direct investment as a development strategy, it has also specifically encouraged foreign direct investment in mining (Bebbington et al, 2008). This strategy began to become apparent when two highly influential World Bank publications emerged during the early 1990s (Strongman, 1994;World Bank, 1992).…”

“…These reports had a substantial impact on the crafting of mining codes (Moody, 2007) and more than 90 states have adopted new mining laws, or revised existing ones, in an effort to increase foreign investment in mining (Bridge, 2007). As Bebbington et al (2008) wrote, 'the increase of investment in developing countries has been palpable'.…”

“…Mining is an activity containing a substantial potential for environmental harm (Bebbington et al, 2008). Two of mining's most notorious environmental effects are its use of cyanide, a highly toxic substance, as a chemical processing agent in gold mining and the phenomena known as acid mine drainage, where acid is emitted from mining operations ).…”

Questioning the effectiveness of planned conflict resolution strategies in water disputes between rural communities and mining companies in Peru

“…Since the 1990s mining activities have considerably intensified in the Andean regions of Peru, triggering a proliferation of socio-environmental conflicts (Bebbington, Humphreys Bebbington, & Bury, 2010;Bebbington, Hinojosa, Humphreys Bebbington, Burneo, & Warnaars, 2008). Between 2009 and 2012, more than 250 mining conflicts were reported.…”

Stadium Coltan : artisanal mining, reforms and social change in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Although pockets of violence still exist, and despite the fact that the relationship between mining and development is often 'contentious and ambiguous' (Bebbington et al, 2008, Campbell, 2009, some scholars and observers have argued that a formalised mineral sector can become a 'basis of development' (Garrett et al, 2010: 5). In other words, when mining governance is improved, reforms have potential for poverty reduction (Ansoms and Marysse, 2011).…”