Mining, movements and sustainable development: Concepts for a framework

In this paper we propose that we can best make sense of mining‐induced in‐migration in Melanesia through the dual frame of “land” and “access”, which can both be seen as a type of “capital” or “asset” in the way that Anthony Bebbington used these terms in his well‐known “capitals and capabilities” framework for analysing rural livelihoods. The concept of land provides a useful point of entry for understanding the relationship between mining, migration and development in this setting. We argue that if land is central to the making of social relations in Melanesia (that land is a social relation), then mining changes the meaning and values that can flow from land, and these changes induce manoeuvres on the part of residents and in‐migrants as they attempt to control or become part of the social relations that constitute land in order to access the development benefits derived from mining activities. In the end, these actions remake place, and irrevocably reshape relationships and senses of place that precede mining.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Land and access: A framework for analysing mining, migration and development in Melanesia

Bainton

Banks

2018

“…The positioning of this study also departs from contemporary sustainable development literature that has focused on, inter alia, linkages between environmental performance of nation states, income inequality and income (Morse, 2018), voluntary sustainability standards (Bennett, 2018), trends and future tendencies of sustainable development (Wichaisri & Sopadang, 2018), challenges to sustainable development (Fearnside, 2018), and nexuses between movements, mining, and sustainable development (Bebbington & Bebbington, 2018;Bainton, Owen, & Kemp, 2018). The rest of the study is structured as follows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How enhancing gender inclusion affects inequality: Thresholds of complementary policies for sustainable development

Asongu

Odhiambo

2019

This study investigates how enhancing gender inclusion affects inequality in 42 African countries for the period 2004-2014. The empirical evidence is based on the generalised method of moments. Three inequality indicators are used, namely, the Gini coefficient, Atkinson index, and Palma ratio. The two gender inclusion measurements used include female labour force participation and female employment. The following main findings are established. There are positive net effects on inequality from the enhancement of gender inclusion dynamics. An extended threshold analysis is used to assess critical masses at which further increasing gender inclusion enhances inequality. The established thresholds are as follows: (a) 55.555 "employment to population ratio, 15+, female (%)" for the nexus with the Gini coefficient. (b) 50 "labour force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+)" and between 50 and 55 "employment to population ratio, 15+, female (%)", for the Atkinson index. (c) 61.87 "labour force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+)" for the Palma ratio. These established thresholds are worthwhile for sustainable development because, beyond the critical masses, policymakers should complement the gender inclusion policy with other measures designed to reduce income inequality. Some complementary measures that can be taken on board beyond the established thresholds could focus on enhancing, inter alia, information and communication technology, infrastructural development, financial inclusion, and inclusive education.

“…Even if, as is now commonly the case and is certainly so at Phu Kham and Sepon, mining companies take the trouble to maximize local benefits through preferential recruitment, local business development and investment in local, non-mine infrastructure, it is unlikely that, after mining ceases, their presence will have changed the geography of the impact areas to the extent that the previous unattractiveness of those areas to other forms of economic development will have been eradicated. That is, while I certainly agree with Anthony Bebbington and Denise Humphreys Bebbington (2018) when they state that "mining effects place-making profoundly", which often includes a good degree of erasure (of existing landscapes, histories and meanings), these changes very rarely erase those pre-existing conditions that deter alternative development opportunities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Migration to two mines in Laos

Jackson

2018

This paper considers migration patterns to the Sepon and Phu Kham copper‐gold mining projects in Laos. Data collected biennially at these two mining ventures to monitor socio‐economic change is analysed to establish numbers, sources and types of migrants towards these mines and the distribution of project‐generated cash flows captured by such groups in comparison with those accruing to pre‐existing populations. The bulk of migration is demonstrated to be due to personal ties between migrants and pre‐existing residents. It is argued that in‐migration ultimately tends to dilute and partly undermine the immediate and positive impact of any intentional efforts to maximize local economic opportunities. Efforts to maximize employment for pre‐existing populations are shown to have been significantly undermined by numerous factors. Variations between different state policies on the distribution of and eligibility for receipt of project benefits are key to determining the extent of inward migration. The mines considered here, like many such operations elsewhere and throughout history, are located in relatively remote areas where the prospects for any form of economic development, other than mining, have been minimal. It is unlikely, therefore, that the higher levels of income and the increased opportunities (both social and economic) generated in mine impact areas during operations will be maintained after mine closure. The challenge to mining companies (and host governments) is not so much to create a sustainable economy in the places where they operate but rather to create sustainable improvements in the opportunities for the people who were living in such places prior to the start of their operations.