Insights from six case studies in the Mekong countries - 2.3. Social justice and mining exploitation in Lao PDR

The objective of this chapter is to analyze recent developments in the mining industry in Lao PDR. It will also aim at understanding the ambiguities and limits of local people's involvement in mining projects. Lao PDR's mining sector has the potential to play an important role in developing the country's economy and achieving social justice. However, in addition to the potential benefits, mining can bring significant environmental and social consequences, some of which can already be observed in Lao PDR. For example, mining has been linked to social problems stemming from a lack of cooperation with local communities, environmental degradation, and increased pressure on water resources. The elements presented and analyzed were assembled through ten field studies carried out between May 2008 and May 2017. The surveys include, on the one hand, the observation of mining infrastructures and, on the other hand, interviews with a panel of actors involved in the country's mining sector, actors from non-governmental development organizations present in Lao PDR, and local specialists. People we met in areas that were directly impacted by extractive activity were rather favorable toward mining operations due to the benefits they bring. They also result in the territory being reorganized, providing access and development facilities that have developed considerably over several years. In the most remote areas, communication with local people is more difficult, and is generally hampered by the lack of knowledge of the mine executives who — largely originating from urban centers, dominant ethnic groups, or foreign countries — have sporadic contact with local people on the issue of mining. Many people's perception of mining projects is thus tainted with great mistrust, although in many cases mines do provide employment opportunities and additional sources of income or, in other words, a form of partial social justice.