Social Impact Analysis of Mining Operations in Kenyasi and Surrounding Communities of Ghana: The Case of Newmont Gold Mining Company in Ghana

This article discusses the findings of a study on mining and its social impacts on Kenyasi, a mining community in Ghana and other nearby communities especially Ntotroso and Atronie where mining activities are ongoing by mining giant Newmont Gold Mining Company. The study investigates the real and latent social impacts of mining activities on the communities in the light of the numerous promises and prospects that mining is said to provide for communities. The study employed qualitative methods of data collection of interviews, observation and focus group discussions. The study finds that from the prospecting stages through the construction of mining infrastructure and the actual mining itself, there are diverse social impacts on communities that can be very devastating on the communities where the mining takes place. These social impacts can to a larger extent, change the dynamics of community living and can make the lives of its residents better or worse. It is these impacts, real or imagined that this study unravels even though the social indicators assessed in this study are by no means exhaustive. Keywords: Social impacts, Kenyasi community, mining activities, livelihood, Newmont Mining Company.

The Andacollo\u27s Mining Community: Ethnographic Work-Based Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility Policies and Practices

This ethnographic study was designed to explore the phenomenon of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining industry. The research addressed the impacts of a problematic, systemic, and ethnocentric (top-down) CSR approach driven by a transnational mining company, and proposed a novel cultural relativist (bottom-up) CSR approach looking at the social needs of the community. Solving the problem stemming from the ethnocentric approach is important for both the mining company and the community affected by the CSR program, as it will alter dynamics between actors and mitigate social conflicts. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that improve the fractured relationship between the community and the mining company and put its social license to operate at risk. The mitigation of social conflicts is needed for the mining corporation to maintain its social license to operate in a harmonic and collaborative mining-community relationship. The research question was designed to gather the perceptions of corporate leaders and community members in Chile\u27s Andacollo mining area regarding the imbalance between the ethnocentric and cultural relativism perspectives adopted in CSR policies and practices. A purposive sample of 30 subjects was interviewed to collect data regarding their perceptions that were then categorized, coded, and interpreted using an inductive approach and thematic networks. The research findings showed that improvements in CSR practice are likely to result from the mining company placing emphasis on the social dimension. A shift from a top-down to a bottom-up CSR approach will contribute to the reduction of social conflicts, build a socially sustainable setting, and foster positive social change with benefits for the society

Upaya Penguatan Perekonomian Masyarakat Pasca Tambang Karst

Karst mines in the Mount Kromong area cannot be separated from the historical aspects of local communities in utilizing karst resources as a support for their necessities of life. Historically the use of karst in the area of Mount Kromong has been going on since 1700 and has been passed down from generation to generation. However, the change in control of the karst mining area resulted in various significant changes to people's lives so that various alternative economic sectors emerged that needed to be strengthened through empowerment efforts. This study aims to examine how the post-mining Cikeusal Village community's economy has changed and how the Village Government's efforts to strengthen community alternative economic sectors after the mining sector has become exclusive. So, the questions that will be formulated by researchers in this study are (1) What is the history of karst mining management in Cikeusal Village?; and (2) How is the post-karst mining economic empowerment process in Cikeusal Village? Researchers used qualitative research methods with a case study approach. Data collection techniques used by researchers are observation, interviews and documentation while data analysis techniques used by researchers are simple time series analysis. In this research, the researcher outlines the data obtained in the field during the time the research took place chronologically as well as a description of the dynamics of the post-mining community economic empowerment process in Cikeusal Village

DINAMIKA SOSIAL EKONOMI MASYARAKAT YANG TINGGAL DI SEKITAR KAWASAN PERTAMBANGAN

This study uses Kingsley Davis Social Dynamics theory to solve problems in the field with the Ethnographic Method, data collection using observation techniques and in-depth interviews and purposive sampling informant selection techniques. Data were analyzed descriptively. This Nickel mining activity by PT NPM took experts on agricultural land belonging to the people of Matarape Village without the consent of the local community, the acquisition of agricultural land that reached 300 hectares made the farmers in Matarape Village suffer huge losses, not only losses, their economy also became paralyzed. In total, this is because the farmers can no longer produce cashew nuts as their source of income. The damage to agricultural land carried out by PT NMP triggered a conflict between the community and the PT NPM company, where the majority of people who work as farmers demanded compensation for the destruction and use of agricultural land which reached up to 300 hectares was used for road construction and mining activities of PT. This NPM also resulted in changes in the livelihoods of the people of Matarape Villag

Dynamic communities and their detection

Overlapping community detection has already become an interesting problem in data mining and also a useful technique in applications. This underlines the importance of following the lifetime of communities in real graphs. Palla et al. developed a promising method, and analyzed community evolution on two large databases [23]. We have followed their footsteps in analyzing large real-world databases and found, that the framework they use to describe the dynamics of communities is insufficient for our data. The method used by Palla et al. is also dependent on a very special community detection algorithm, the clique percolation method, and on its monotonic nature. In this paper we propose an extension of the basic community events described in [23] and a method capable of handling communities found a non-monotonic community detection algorithm. We also report on findings that came from the tests on real social graphs

Modeling dynamic community acceptance of mining using agent-based modeling

This research attempts to provide fundamental understanding into the relationship between perceived sustainability of mineral projects and community acceptance. The main objective is to apply agent-based modeling (ABM) and discrete choice modeling to understand changes in community acceptance over time due to changes in community demographics and perceptions. This objective focuses on: 1) formulating agent utility functions for ABM, based on discrete choice theory; 2) applying ABM to account for the effect of information diffusion on community acceptance; and 3) explaining the relationship between initial conditions, topology, and rate of interactions, on one hand, and community acceptance on the other hand. To achieve this objective, the research relies on discrete choice theory, agent-based modeling, innovation and diffusion theory, and stochastic processes. Discrete choice models of individual preferences of mining projects were used to formulate utility functions for this research. To account for the effect of information diffusion on community acceptance, an agent-based model was developed to describe changes in community acceptance over time, as a function of changing demographics and perceived sustainability impacts. The model was validated with discrete choice experimental data on acceptance of mining in Salt Lake City, Utah. The validated model was used in simulation experiments to explain the model\u27s sensitivity to initial conditions, topology, and rate of interactions. The research shows that the model, with the base case social network, is more sensitive to homophily and number of early adopters than average degree (number of friends). Also, the dynamics of information diffusion are sensitive to differences in clustering in the social networks. Though the research examined the effect of three networks that differ due to the type of homophily, it is their differences in clustering due to homophily that was correlated to information diffusion dynamics --Abstract, page iii

Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mines and Community Infrastructure Development in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of Ghana

Mining activities are recognizable and visibly seen in the nature and scope of its activities in Africa. Even though there is growing concern of the negative dimensions of mining activities on the environment and even socio-cultural conditions of mining communities, mining projects can have major socio-economic impacts. With varying perspectives on the real impact of mining companies, development of mining communities remains a critical issue. The mining companies have always responded to these assertions with a catalogue of social development programmes and interventions for supporting community growth and development through their Corporate Social Responsibilities. This Paper therefore studies the community infrastructure development of mining companies with regards to Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mines in Ghana. It also highlights the benefits, prospects and challenges encountered in the course of providing these community infrastructures. Data for the Study was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in the selection of the target population. The Study proposes measures to inform policy formulation in determining the development dynamics of mining companies and their contribution to community infrastructure development within their catchment communities

Changing Livelihood Strategies in a Conservation Area: Fishers, Farmers, and Sand Mining in Merauke, Indonesia

The Wasur National Park (WNP) includes the Ramsar Site, an important area for global conservation efforts in wetlands. This coastal area also supports the socio-economic activities of local and non-local communities who are highly dependent on natural resources. Conservation efforts in the area are sometimes at odds with the sustainability of local livelihoods and poverty alleviation initiatives for the community. The aim of this study is to describe the sources of community livelihoods in the Wasur Naukenjerai National Park area, specifically around agricultural, fisheries, and sand mining dynamics. Using a qualitative research design, this study uses a field survey to collect primary data sourced from key informants with in-depth interviews from 15 community respondents in three sample villages on the coast, and seven key informants from relevant government agencies. The results show that the main livelihood source for people in the protected area are as fishermen and farmers. Sand mining has emerged as an alternative source of livelihood but has caused degradation of beaches and land in the Wasur National Park area. In addition, there are activities of buying and selling agricultural land in protected areas. The protection of the rights of the community in the area and government support programs have been unable to guarantee the welfare of the community. For this reason, it is necessary to strengthen and further support local institutions livelihoods to ensure the sustainability of Wasur National Park area management

Impacts of riverine sand mining on freshwater ecosystems: a review of the scientific evidence and guidance for future research

Sand mining (used here as a generic term that includes mining of any riverine aggregates regardless of particle size) is a global activity that is receiving increasing media attention due to perceived negative environmental and social impacts. As calls grow for stronger regulation of mining, there is a need to understand the scientific evidence to support effective management. This paper summarizes the results of a structured literature review addressing the question, “What evidence is there of impacts of sand mining on ecosystem structure, process, and biodiversity in rivers, floodplains, and estuaries?” The review found that most investigations have focused on temperate rivers where sand mining occurred historically but has now ceased. Channel incision was the most common physical impact identified; other physical responses, including habitat disturbance, alteration of riparian zones, and changes to downstream sediment transport, were highly variable and dependant on river characteristics. Ecosystem attributes affected included macroinvertebrate drift, fish movements, species abundance and community structures, and food web dynamics. Studies often inferred impacts on populations, but supporting data were scarce. Limited evidence suggests that rivers can sustain extraction if volumes are within the natural sediment load variability. Significantly, the countries and rivers for which there is science‐based evidence related to sand mining are not those where extensive sand mining is currently reported. The lack of scientific and systematic studies of sand mining in these countries prevents accurate quantification of mined volumes or the type, extent, and magnitude of any impacts. Additional research into how sand mining is affecting ecosystem services, impacting biodiversity and particularly threatened species, and how mining impacts interact with other activities or threats is urgently required