Social dialogue in the transition process of a mining region

Mineral Economics, 2016

Mining is a global business with international networks of production and consumption, but mineral deposits are place specific and the impacts of mining projects are mostly experienced locally. Hence, mining is an example of a glocal phenomenon par excellence: global processes are realized in local communities and environments. This paper discusses the social impacts of mining in eight communities situated in Northern Europe. The data consist of 85 semi-structured interviews conducted in 2013 and 2014. Using a qualitative approach and starting from the bottom-up, the analyses identified three impact frames that combined individual experiences and meanings expressed in the interviews. The first impact frame focuses on environmental justice. Environmental impacts are corporeal, cognitive, and emotional, as they affect the real life of people living in the vicinity of the mine. The main finding is that environmental Bbads^are experienced locally in the North, whereas the economic Bgoods^go to mining companies and consumers in the BSouth.^The second impact frame looks at the loss of livelihoods and the cultural way of life. Mining is seen as a threat, especially to reindeer herding and nature-based practices. In the areas where mining is a new industry, the activity is seen as antithetical to those small-scale activities of a local economy. The third impact frame centers on experiences and concerns about the dependency of a community on a single industry. When the fortunes of local communities are dependent on international business and the fluctuations of global markets, the residents feel that they have no power to influence the developments and can thus only adapt.

2005

A major project is being undertaken in the Bowen Basin coal mining region of Queensland, Australia, to assess how economic and social impacts of mining should be assessed and negotiated with regional communities. Coal mining has a major impact on regional communities in generating regional incomes and employment. At the same time, the industry is reliant on communities for the supply of labour and business services. While the mining industry and communities have common interests, often it is difficult for them to work together. The focus of this paper is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of traditional social and economic impact assessment tools, to identify a range of other mechanisms that are appropriate for engagement purposes; and to outline the potential use of some of these approaches. These include predictive mechanisms such as input-output analysis, assessment mechanisms such as choice modelling and experimental workshops, and engagement mechanisms such as extended stakeholder analysis.

Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (Indonesian Journal of Community Engagement)

South Africa has recently experienced an increase in unrest within urban and rural communities, despite attempts from both government and business levels to engage communities through community engagement (CE) forums. This has had a negative impact on the operations of businesses in the mining industry in South Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore CE challenges in the South African mining sector, to understand the dynamics and factors affecting the peaceful equilibrium between the relevant stakeholder groups using CE best practices. The study used qualitative research methods where semi-structured interviews, as well as focus group discussion, was conducted among different stakeholders who were selected purposefully. Data were thematically analysed using the Atlasti software programme. The following themes were identified: Anglo social way, CE approaches, CE structures, guiding policies, terms of references and municipality framework. It was recommended that c...

Journal of Cleaner Production

Highlights  Examine key drivers of social acceptance of mining in Australian regional areas  Community members' experiences of dialogue are integral in predicting relationship quality and procedural fairness  Relationship quality and procedural fairness predicted trust which drove acceptance  Indirect effect of dialogue on acceptance indicates the importance of engagement strategies in mining

International Journal of Social Science Research, 2017

Social dialogue is one of the forms of participation of employees in matters referring to the field of labor or on matters of mutual interest for economic and social policy. Employees in the process of the social dialogue are represented through their union. Social dialogue is a form of communication involving social partners (unions and employers/ employer bodies) intended to affect the contracts and the development of labor issues. This context includes issues relating to participation in various types of negotiations, consultations, exchange of information between representatives of governments, employers and employees on issues of common interest and related to the economic and social policy. Social dialogue is also one of the forms through which employees can participate in decision-making, information and operations of the companies. The main aim of this paper is to clarify the social dialogue as one of the forms of participation of employees in decision making and managing wi...

Mining projects have become a point of focus due to social economic opportunities they can offer to local communities. Poverty in the vicinity of wealth is a source of insecurity and is a sign of immoral way of doing business. Benefit sharing and environmental protection bring project acceptance and hope to economic transformation of local communities. Corporate Social Responsibility is not obligatory but is a good way of doing business. Community Development Agreements protect mining companies from delivering goods and services that would have been the responsibility of government. These agreements should be a product of Free Prior Informed Consent so that a lasting Social Contract with the community is obtained. The paper highlights also a consultative process that should be undertaken in order to have community participation and acceptance to mining projects.

2022

Some rights reserved This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved.

Energies

The energy transition currently taking place in the mining regions of the European Union poses many challenges that need to be addressed with a view to 2030 and 2050, of which the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is the key one. Initial results of the research project entitled “Models of a transition to a climate-neutral, circular economy for mining regions under transformation process”, which is developed in parallel with the transition of mining town Brzeszcze, are presented. The challenges, in the context of energy transition, for both the EU and local governments were identified on the basis of EU policies and the experience of the project team from the cooperation with the commune of Brzeszcze. A “research by design” method was used to develop model solutions. In the context of local challenges, there was a discussion of the Green Deal objectives and “greenery” as a tool for transformation and achieving well-being. It was concluded that a comparison of the tangible (mining...

A case study analysis of the introduction of a new system for appraising worker performance in an Australian coal mine is used to explore the related concepts of identity and culture that are central to explaining individual and group behaviour in organizational context (Irrmann, 2002: 164). The change initiative was initiated by management following a search and evaluation of the general business environment to see what other organizations were doing to improve their operations. There was no prior consultation with employees, nor were any attempts made to involve mine workers before implementing what management described as a more ‘scientific’ and ‘transparent’ system of employee performance management. As it turned out, this change disrupted operations, introduced new procedures that were scorned and fiercely resisted by miners, and served to increase levels of discontent and hostility among employees. One of the major threats that this new initiative posed for employees centred o...

1996

Russia's program for restructuring its coal sector affects a wide range of interest groups who have a stake in the sector. As part of the preparation of a Coal Sector Adjustment Loan (SECAL) and an Implementation Assistance Project, the Government of the Russian Federation and the World Bank supported the preparation of this Social Assessment. The assessment was a joint effort between Bank staff and Russian social scientists who systematically listened to the views of the people: the miners, their families and communities. The views of a broad range of other interest groups were also solicited and are reflected in this study. The Social Assessment had an important impact both on the substance and process of World Bank assistance. With regard to substance, the Social Assessment helped reorient the thinking of the Bank, and, we believe, of the Government, towards more relevant and transparent institutional mechanisms to cushion the impact of the restructuring on miners and affected communities. The work also helped foster a broad consensus on the need for a permanent mechanism of social monitoring and stakeholder participation in the restructuring of the coal sector. With regard to process, the Social Assessment allowed both the Govermment and the Bank to develop a credible basis for discussing what beneficiaries did and did not feel was important to improving their lives. That the Russian coal restructuring program now places an emphasis on funding social assets divested from the coal industry is, in great part, due to the Social Assessment's findings. This Social Assessment is one of the first to be associated with a policy based loan to be funded by the World Bank. It has been an important instrument in allowing attention to be given to social factors essential to the long term success of the reform agenda. In light of the broad interest in the social impact assessment of sector restructuring in general and of the special interest of coal restructuring in transition economies, this report is being published for distribution to the general public.