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This site is closed! The effect of decommissioning mining waste facilities on mortality in the long run

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  • Deiana, Claudio
  • Giua, Ludovica

Abstract

Mining is typically linked to industrial development. However, waste generated by mineral extraction is a major source of environmental deterioration. This poses a trade-off between preserving the environment and fostering growth. We assess the long-run consequences of reduced exposure to mining waste on health by exploiting municipality-level variation in the staggered closure of facilities that treat and store mining waste in Italy over the course of five decades. We find that shutting down waste facilities decreases decadal mortality by 126 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (i.e., by nearly 15%), while also improving the literacy and employment rates of the resident population. Our results point to positive health effects dominating potentially negative wealth effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Deiana, Claudio & Giua, Ludovica, 2023. "This site is closed! The effect of decommissioning mining waste facilities on mortality in the long run," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:119:y:2023:i:c:s0095069623000153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2023.102797
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    1. Shuaizhi Gao & Peng Zhou & Hongyan Zhang & Shuo Yang, 2025. "Evaluating socio-economic and subjective well-being impacts of coal power phaseout in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Massimo Morelli & Dominic Rohner, 2023. "Natural resources and conflict: The crucial role of power mismatch and geographic asymmetries," Working Papers 698, IGIER (Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research), Bocconi University.

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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • N54 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Europe: 1913-
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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