IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v68y2020ics0301420719307871.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Rethinking the concept of small-scale mining for technologically advanced raw materials production

Author

Listed:
  • Sidorenko, Olga
  • Sairinen, Rauno
  • Moore, Kathryn

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is conceptual analysis and critique, informing development of a modern technologically-advanced small-scale mining (SSM) concept. The need for SSM has recently been articulated in a European mining policy context. In an attempt to secure access to minerals, European strategy includes the development of new approaches to the extraction of resources from ore deposits, including by SSM operations. However, the application of traditional thinking and definitions of small-scale mining to a European context is problematic, such that the evolution of modern smaller scale mining also requires re-thinking of the underpinning concepts. We discuss various company structures, scales of mining and their specific features. We differentiate SSM from “artisanal small-scale mining” (ASM) and discuss its relationship to “large-scale mining” (LSM). From this analysis, we distill the key features and criteria of SSM and raise important questions concerning social and environmental sustainability in relation to SSM. We suggest that greater definition of what constitutes technological small-scale mining in a European context will substantially improve further research in the development of mining solutions and contribute to the discussion on the future of mining both within and outside of Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Sidorenko, Olga & Sairinen, Rauno & Moore, Kathryn, 2020. "Rethinking the concept of small-scale mining for technologically advanced raw materials production," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:68:y:2020:i:c:s0301420719307871
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101712
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420719307871
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101712?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. World Bank, 2009. "Mining Together : Large-Scale Mining Meets Artisanal Mining, A Guide for Action," World Bank Publications - Reports 12458, The World Bank Group.
    2. Mancini, Lucia & Sala, Serenella, 2018. "Social impact assessment in the mining sector: Review and comparison of indicators frameworks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 98-111.
    3. Solomon, Fiona & Katz, Evie & Lovel, Roy, 2008. "Social dimensions of mining: Research, policy and practice challenges for the minerals industry in Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 142-149, September.
    4. Mudd, Gavin M., 2007. "Global trends in gold mining: Towards quantifying environmental and resource sustainability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-2), pages 42-56.
    5. Massari, Stefania & Ruberti, Marcello, 2013. "Rare earth elements as critical raw materials: Focus on international markets and future strategies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 36-43.
    6. Lyons, Margaret & Bartlett, Jennifer & McDonald, Paula, 2016. "Corporate social responsibility in junior and mid-tier resources companies operating in developing nations – beyond the public relations offensive," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 204-213.
    7. Yakovleva, Natalia, 2007. "Perspectives on female participation in artisanal and small-scale mining: A case study of Birim North District of Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-2), pages 29-41.
    8. Heledd Jenkins, 2006. "Small Business Champions for Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 67(3), pages 241-256, September.
    9. Siegel, Shefa & Veiga, Marcello M., 2009. "Artisanal and small-scale mining as an extralegal economy: De Soto and the redefinition of "formalization"," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 51-56.
    10. Aubynn, Anthony, 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," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 64-70.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Badakhshan, Naser & Shahriar, Kourosh & Afraei, Sajjad & Bakhtavar, Ezzeddin, 2023. "Determining the environmental costs of mining projects: A comprehensive quantitative assessment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. René Paz Paredes Mamani & Roberto Arpi Mayta & Roberto Chávez Flores & Faustino Ccama Uchiri, 2022. "Impact of metal mining on per capita family income in Peru," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 35(2), pages 283-294, June.
    3. Kasmaeeyazdi, Sara & Abdolmaleki, Mehdi & Ibrahim, Elsy & Jiang, Jingyi & Marzan, Ignacio & Rodríguez, Irene Benito, 2021. "Copernicus data to boost raw material source management: Illustrations from the RawMatCop programme," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Moore, K.R. & Moradi, S. & Doyle, K. & Sydd, O. & Amaral, V. & Bodin, J. & Brito-Parada, P.R. & Dudley, F. & Fitzpatrick, R. & Foster, P. & Goettmann, F. & Roberts, D. & Roethe, R. & Sairinen, R. & Sa, 2021. "Sustainability of switch on-switch off (SOSO) mining: Human resource development tailored to technological solutions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    5. Rodríguez-Novoa, Felipe & Holley, Elizabeth, 2023. "Coexistence between large-scale mining (LSM) and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Perú and Colombia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    6. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    7. Muhirwa, Fabien & Shen, Lei & Elshkaki, Ayman & Hirwa, Hubert & Umuziranenge, Gloriose & Velempini, Kgosietsile, 2023. "Linking large extractive industries to sustainable development of rural communities at mining sites in Africa: Challenges and pathways," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    8. Singh, Devesh, 2022. "Renewable energy, urban primacy, foreign direct investment, and value-added in European regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 547-561.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Laing, Timothy, 2019. "Small man goes where the large fears to tread: Mining in Guyana: 1990-2018," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Keovilignavong, Oulavanh, 2019. "Mining governance dilemma and impacts: A case of gold mining in Phu-Hae, Lao PDR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 141-150.
    3. Rodríguez-Novoa, Felipe & Holley, Elizabeth, 2023. "Coexistence between large-scale mining (LSM) and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Perú and Colombia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Yakovleva, Natalia & Vazquez-Brust, Diego Alfonso, 2018. "Multinational mining enterprises and artisanal small-scale miners: From confrontation to cooperation," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 52-62.
    5. Philipp C. Sauer & Michael Hiete, 2019. "Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives as Social Innovation for Governance and Practice: A Review of Responsible Mining Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-30, December.
    6. Manjengwa, Evelyn Ruvimbo & Dorfling, Christie & Tadie, Margreth, 2023. "Development of a conceptual framework to evaluate factors that affect drivers for stakeholder engagement in mine waste management," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Smith, Nicole M. & Smith, Jessica M. & John, Zira Q. & Teschner, Benjamin A., 2017. "Promises and perceptions in the Guianas: The making of an artisanal and small-scale mining reserve," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 49-56.
    8. Shen, Lixin & Muduli, Kamalakanta & Barve, Akhilesh, 2015. "Developing a sustainable development framework in the context of mining industries: AHP approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(P1), pages 15-26.
    9. Hilson, Gavin & Sauerwein, Titus & Owen, John, 2020. "Large and artisanal scale mine development: The case for autonomous co-existence," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    10. Katz-Lavigne, Sarah, 2020. "Distributional impact of corporate extraction and (un)authorised clandestine mining at and around large-scale copper- and cobalt-mining sites in DR Congo," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    11. Corbett, Tony & O'Faircheallaigh, Ciaran & Regan, Anthony, 2017. "‘Designated areas’ and the regulation of artisanal and small-scale mining," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 393-401.
    12. Xavier, Lúcia Helena & Giese, Ellen Cristine & Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina & Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas, 2021. "Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    13. Alex Osei-Kojo & Nathan Andrews, 2016. "Questioning the Status Quo: Can Stakeholder Participation Improve Implementation of Small-Scale Mining Laws in Ghana?," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Rachel N. Long & Kan Sun & Richard L. Neitzel, 2015. "Injury Risk Factors in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana’s Upper East Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Deberdt, Raphael, 2022. "Land access rights in minerals’ responsible sourcing. The case of cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    16. Railh Gugus Tresor Massonini Ngoma & Cety Gessica Abraham Mahanga Tsoni & Xiangrui Meng & Sumaiya Bashiru Danwana, 2023. "The Impact of the Mining Equipment, Technological Trends, and Natural Resource Demand on Climate Change in Congo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-28, January.
    17. Holley, Elizabeth A. & Smith, Nicole M. & Delgado Jimenez, Jeison Alejandro & Cabezas, Isabel Casasbuenas & Restrepo-Baena, Oscar Jaime, 2020. "Socio-technical context of the interactions between large-scale and small-scale mining in Marmato, Colombia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    18. Lin, Philip T. & Li, Bin & Bu, Danlu, 2015. "The relationship between corporate governance and community engagement: Evidence from the Australian mining companies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 28-39.
    19. Mark L. Wilson & Elisha Renne & Carla Roncoli & Peter Agyei-Baffour & Emmanuel Yamoah Tenkorang, 2015. "Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana — Part 3: Social Sciences and Economics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-24, July.
    20. Paschal, Makungu & Kauangal, Jignesh, 2023. "Women position in artisanal and small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:68:y:2020:i:c:s0301420719307871. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.