The following demonstrate the breadth of research undertaken by The University of Western Australia and The University of Queensland researchers and higher degree by research students.
50 Pieces of Advice to an Official who is Engaged in the Negotiation of Mining Contracts – A Handbook
The aim of this handbook is to provide advice to assist officials and their governments to achieve all that is possible in negotiating mining contracts, as a catalyst to transformational change.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Fabien Nkot, Jill Howieson, Melvin Sheriff
A GIS-Based Exploration Initiative to Help Steer Sustainable Development: A Pilot Project for Indonesia
This research sought to provide:
- Mineral prospectivity maps for an area of South East Sulawesi
- Maps combing mineral prospectivity with factors relating to sustainability
- Recommendations on future needs for improvements in analysis.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Arianne Ford, Steven Micklethwaite, Bernadetta Devi, Phill McKenna
A GIS-based mineral prospectivity analysis of Central Africa
This research sought to conduct a GIS-based mineral prospectivity analysis of central Africa. A previous IM4DC Action Research project – the Central African GIS Database project – made significant inroads into compiling available data and organising it in a coherent manner. The aim of the current project was to build upon this work to not only provide new geoscience products, but also to present an example of best practice release of precompetitive data. In this case, the precompetitive datasets generated were mineral prospectivity maps of Central Africa, to include gold, copper, tin and other commodities.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Arianne Ford, John Miller
Application of multi-isotope techniques to elucidate source, transport and release of contaminants by acid mine drainage
Acid mine drainage generated from the oxidation of sulfidic minerals is a major environmental concern for mining companies and communities worldwide. Identification of water connectivity and sulfate sources can provide strong support for AMD management. This study used a combination of hydro-geochemical fingerprinting and stable isotope geochemistry to investigate the connectivity between surface and groundwater, and between mine water and a local stream system at a closed sulfidic Au-Cu-Zn mine in Queensland.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Phong Pham
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Artisanal mining and livelihoods: Challenges and opportunities
This project aimed to increase our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in multi-stakeholder collaboration processes to enable communities to forge more sustainable livelihoods in resource regions of Colombia.
Download: Summary
Researchers:
* Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Assessment of potential extreme rainfall impacts on the mining industry
This research trialled an approach to identifying the potential impacts of extreme rainfall events associated with a changing climate on the mining industry at a country and regional level in South America. Peru was selected as a case study, due to its relevance as a mining country and past vulnerability to extreme rainfall events and subsequent floods. During this research, mining regions across Peru with differing potentials of being affected by extreme rainfall in the next few decades were identified via analysis of global climate projections for precipitation extreme indices.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Francisco Gonzalez
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Australian mining management tools and their applicability towards the sustainable development of Choco-Colombia
This investigation, part of a Masters of Environmental Management, sought to show how management tools used in mining can achieve sustainable development in a global market by balancing human health and safety, environmental sustainability and the socio-economic effectiveness of mining operations, in particular artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). The research was undertaken in the Colombian region of the Chocó-Manabí Corridor, which incorporates the ‘Los Katios’, area declared by the UNESCO as world heritage status and under threat.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Andrea Garzon
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Benchmarking the “status of safety”: Safety risks, practices, and beliefs in eight developing countries
The purpose of this research was to gather information about the risks, practices and beliefs in companies across developing countries engaged in mining or associated activities. This information can then be used to identify areas of safety that require targeted training interventions as well as providing initial benchmarks that can be used by regulators and training agencies.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Daniela Andrei, Mark Griffin, Lena Wang, Weng-Khong Choe
Building Environmental Sustainability in the Mining Sector of the Philippines through Advanced Environmental Monitoring, Assessment and Management Programs
This project focused on capacity-building initiatives in the area of envionmental health issues associated with the mining sector and specifically the contaminant issues linked to elevated (and potentially toxic) metal and metalloid levels in waterways.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Dr Trang Huynh, Dr Mansour Edraki, Professor David Mulligan
Burma (Myanmar) country profile extractives summary
Burma (Myanmar) is a country rich in natural resources. Extractive industries offer key routes to national development and escape from high poverty levels, but only if sound governance, sector management, various reform aspects and factors related to lasting peace are well addressed. This document provides a profile of the current development situation in Burma, a review of mineral and energy production, an understanding of governance and legislation and a list of some of the fields of relevant capacity building.
Download: Summary
Researchers: David Allan
*Advice to government. Full report provided to Australian Aid as advice to government.
Company Geodata: Growing African National Archives via Transfer of Corporate Geoscience Data
This project sought to investigate barriers to corporate data delivery to African national archives from the regulation, technical implementation and compliance perspectives, through:
- Face to face interviews and questionnaires
- A review of existing publications
- A country-level case study.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Esther Harris, John Miller
Constructing a Diagnostic Framework on Corruption Risks in Mining Sector Licensing
This research sought to develop:
- A template for the consideration of the specific corruption risks in the licensing and contracting areas of mining
- Some general principles that should be at the forefront of future discussions in this area.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Alan Wolfe, Andrew Williams
Developing effective mineral resource policy for sustainable livelihoods through Geoscience
The aim of this research was to identify practical solutions (i.e. tools and skill requirements) which will enhance the capability and useability of public geoscience data by the government and primary clients, the exploration industry, recognising that resource governance is a key pillar in helping Zambia reach its development goals.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Margaretha Scott
Development of a multi-objective spatial suitability model: Wa Lawra Greenstone Belt, Upper West Region, Ghana
This research, part of an ongoing PhD project, aimed to develop a suitability model for a possible peaceful co-existence between mining, agriculture, rural settlement and other land-use interest groups in developing countries. A case study was developed from a field visit to the emerging North-West gold province in the Upper West Region (UWR) of Ghana, the Wa-Lawra Greenstone Belt.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Abdul-Wadood Moomen
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Dialogue, Conflict and Regulatory Processes in Environmental Impact Studies for Mining Projects: Learning from the Peruvian Experience in the Latin American Context
This project examined the role of dialogue and conflict processes in regulatory Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) for mining projects, with the aim to:
- Understand the factors that define and contribute to a successful process
- Document the ways in which inclusive dialogue is promoted (e.g. gender, minorities)
- Understand the relationship between dialogue and conflict in the approval stage of EIS.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Diana Arbelaez-Ruiz
Documenting existing legislation governing mine waste management in target countries
This project aimed to document the existing legislation governing the management of tailings and waste rock, as well as mine closure legislation, in the IM4DC target countries of Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. The driver was to enable the preparation and presentation of more meaningful in-country training courses on mine waste management in Africa.
Download: Summary
Researchers: , James McIntosh, Graeme McIlveen
Establishment of the GEOLOOC Online Training Site for West Africa
This research aimed to develop an online course in geology to serve the West African region. This is in response to current teaching limitations including:
- Insufficiency of text books with African geology and case studies
- Technological limitations
- Linguistic barriers.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Mark Jessell, Vaclav Metelka, Stephen Micklethwaite, Geoff Batt
Evaluating the Attractiveness of Fiscal Regimes for New Gold Developments: African and South American Peer Country Comparisons
This research analysed the fiscal regimes that apply to gold mining in contrasting jurisdictions across ten African and South American countries to determine relative attractiveness for development.
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Researchers: Allan Trench, Chris Gemell, Tony Venables, Michael Curtis, John Sykes
Exploring the Community’s ‘Right to Know’
The aim of this study was to explore how company, community and government actors share and utilise information about mining projects, based on a case study on the Ramu Nickel mining project, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Deanna Kemp, John Owen, Lesley Bennett
Exploring the Community’s ‘Right to Know’ – Tok Pisin Version
The aim of this study was to explore how company, community and government actors share and utilise information about mining projects, based on a case study on the Ramu Nickel mining project, Madang, Papua New Guinea.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Deanna Kemp, John Owen, Lesley Bennett
Facilitating Learning and Development during IM4DC Short Courses
During November to December 2012, the Accelerated Learning Laboratory @UWA worked closely with IM4DC to design and deliver a four-week intensive training course in Organisational Health and Safety for a group of 18 participants. The participants came from 10 developing countries that are of strategic priority to IM4DC. This research aimed to analyse the engagement of participants in order to inform future IM4DC course design and delivery; and to collect interview data after participants returned to work, to understand how to enhance the transfer of training and implementation of return-to-work plans.
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Researchers: Sharon Parker, Daniela Andrei, Lena Wang, Melissa Pearce, Andrew Chapman
Identity and Coal Development in Pakistan: Ecology, Land Rights and the Politics of Exclusion
This research discusses the complex relationship between resource development, land attachment and conflict by examining the role of religious identity in the context of a coal development project in District Tharparkar in Pakistan. Research was conducted in six rural communities lying in the vicinity of the coal project, through surveys and focused group discussions.
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Researchers: Muhammad Makki
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
IM4DC Evaluation of Impact
This project aimed to assist the International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC) in understanding how its educational and developmental programs have contributed to the improvement of the practices, policies and cultures of targeted developing nations. In consultation with the IM4DC, the Accelerated Learning Laboratory (ALL@UWA) designed an interview protocol for program alumni to systematically address the key questions posed in the IM4DC Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The information generated through this project will assist IM4DC to engage in systematic reviews of previous programs and strategic planning for the future.
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Researchers: , , Jelena Opacic, , ,
IM4DC Evaluation of Impact: The Alumni’s Perspective
This research sought to build on a previous evaluation of the impact of IM4DC programs on:
- Alumni
- Their workplaces
- Their networks and collaborations.
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Researchers: Daniela Andrei, Lena Wang, Jelena Opacic, Sharon Parker, Karina Jorritsma, Mark Griffin
IM4DC Evaluation of Impact: The Program Deliverers’ Perspective
This evaluation project sought to understand how IM4DC educational and development programs have impacted program deliverers by:
- Contributing to their knowledge
- Contributing to their development
- Providing broader-level benefits.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Lena Wang, Jelena Opacic, Daniela Andrei, Karina Jorritsma, Sharon Parker, Mark Griffin
IM4DC open data – A central-African geodata information system
Information sources relevant to geosciences and mining remain scarce, badly organised, badly maintained and poorly accessible. This means that countries in this region are not able to effectively manage their own resources and attract potential exploration activity. This research sought to develop and update a web based open data application to present geoscientific and mining-related data from nine central African countries.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Vaclav Metelka, Mark Jessell
Improving outcomes for government – Managed resettlement in Vietnam
This research identified the institutional challenges and limitations of government managed resettlement in Vietnam, based on the results of fieldwork carried out in a mine-induced resettlement project underway in Central Vietnam, the Thach Khe Iron Ore mine. The key findings were reviewed and examined through intensive engagement with multiple stakeholder groups, with the aim of proposing practical recommendations for improving the outcomes of government-managed resettlement in Vietnam.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Mai Vo
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Indigenous Governance and Mining in Bolivia
The objective of this study was to explore how foreign mining companies can better work to advance Indigenous governance and sustainable socioeconomic development. This was achieved through:
- A review of the existing literature
- A review of Bolivia’s legislative framework
- 91 interviews across government, Indigenous organisations, NGOs, the mining industry, academia and consultants
- Case studies in two mining communities.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Kathryn Robb, Mark Moran, Victoria Thom, Justin Coburn
Institutional and Political Frameworks of Environmental Licencing Processes
This project examined the influence of political and institutional factors on environmental licensing processes, including environmental assessment and approval processes (EAAPs), for mining projects. The aim was to devise better ways to take account of, and respond to, political and institutional factors as part of the EAPP. The research was based on the premise that while political and institutional dimensions exert a strong influence on regulatory impact assessment and approval processes, this influence is often poorly understood, leading to shortcomings in design and implementation, and in some cases to conflict that results in human and economic losses.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: , Juan Mauricio Benavidez, Barbara Onate Santibanez,
Integrated sustainable water management in mining for development
This project used water management as a focal point to assess and reflect on the performance of sustainable mining across the Philippines, Indonesia and Mongolia. The desktop component identified an overall lack of sustainability reporting, communication and transparency, and concerns regarding land use, water resources and governance issues within each country. The case study workshops illustrated the value in seeking the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders to extrapolate local knowledge and insights on the realities and challenges of achieving sustainable mining in developing countries.
Download: Summary
Researchers: , Sarah Goater, Natasha Danoucaras, Declan Hearne, Alycia Moore
Additional direction and support: Matthew Reddy, Sue Vink, Philipp Kirsch
Integrating HIV and Gender-Related Issues into Environmental Assessments for Australian Mining Companies Operating in Africa
This project enabled targeted workshops to be held to explore the potential for mining industry partners to collaborate with leading HIV researchers and EIA practitioners to develop effective measures to translate enhanced EIA policy to be implemented at the mining and infrastructure operational level.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Angus Morrison-Saunders
Investigating approaches to working with artisinal and small-scale miners: A review of best practice and progress reports from the field
This report documents approaches to working with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. ASM is an important economic activity and livelihood strategy in many developing countries. However, it is associated with many negative social, environmental and health impacts and presents specific challenges in terms of sustainable development. Personnel working for government, civil society and universities in developing countries who have undertaken capacity-building programmes in Australia through the International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC) have frequently raised the issue of ASM and requested further training in this area. This report assists in improving IM4DC’s capability to provide capacity building focused on ASM by building its understanding of the varied issues associated with ASM and the key strategies used by various actors to deal with them.
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Researchers: Nina Collins, Lynda Lawson
Investigating the Occupational Health and Safety Issues associated with Small-Scale and Artisinal Mining in Ghana
This research sought to understand the dynamics of small scale and artisanal mining. This project involved visits to two artisanal mines, displaced communities and one large-scale mine in Ghana, where interviews were held with key personnel. Discussions were held with the Chief Mining Inspector and Senior Mining Inspectors regarding collaboration, and linkages established with academics at the University of Mining and Technology. The report details the findings from these visits and provides guidance on where to target interventions that will have the most impact on improving health and safety within the sector in Ghana.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Danellie Lynas
Learning through Failures: Preparation of a Series of Lectures for Teaching of Mine Waste Management Best Practice
This research sought to prepare lecture materials for use by partner institutions in Africa for teaching mine waste management based on examples of failure. Materials include:
- A summary document describing the background theory
- Powerpoint presentations of case studies
- Tutorial exercises with worked solutions.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Andy Fourie, Alsidqi Hasan
Mapping and developing a landscape-scale ecosystem services metric for promoting sustainable mining in southwest Madagascar
The goal of this study was to contribute towards a better understanding of ecosystem services and the current and future impacts of current conservation and mining policies on these services in South West Madagascar. The objective of this research was to:
- Quantify key ecosystem components linked to ecosystem services in different community forest zones and savannah zones
- Measure the condition of key ecosystem components through time
- Investigate relationships between maintenance or degradation of ecosystem components and social factors.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Nayruti Trivedi
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Mapping gender based violence and mining infrastructure in Mongolian mining communities
The purpose of this research was to improve understanding of the extent to which gender based violence (GBV) is experienced in mining communities in Mongolia. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative research, this report examines whether the proximity of mine camp locations (and other associated infrastructure) to population centres increases the likelihood of GBV being experienced in the community.
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Researchers: Isabel Cane, Amgalan Terbish, Onon Bymbasuren
Mine Planning in the Face of Economic Uncertainties
The purpose of this research was to:
- Develop a tailored model, transparent and practical, to enable real options to be adopted by industry
- Develop an improved method for project evaluation, to convert risk to opportunities and uncertainties to flexibilities.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Kwasi Darkwa Ampofo
Mine site rehabilitation in Sierra Leone: A rapid appraisal of selected sites
This report details the findings of a rapid field assessment of five industrial and three artisanal mining sites in Sierra Leone. The assessment was conducted to identify and prioritise issues in support of mine rehabilitation and mine closure planning. The assessment team included the authors and representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, and the Ministry of Land, Country Planning and the Environment.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: , Peter Erskine
Mining and communities: A simulation game as an educational tool for the International Mining for Development Centre
The aim of this research was to develop pedagogical teaching material – a simulation game – in order to:
- Allow the participants to experience the problematic impact of a mining project from a community perspective
- Gain an insight into the nature and genesis of these problems
- Foster the development of a more collaborative, equitable and less adversarial negotiation framework within the participants’ own regions.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Caroline Baillie, Rita Armstrong, Lara McKenzie
Mining and community engagement in Peru: Communities telling their stories to inform future practice
There is a need for improved community engagement processes in many parts of the world. This report presents an in-depth contextual framework for an understanding of the community experience of mining as a historical process. An extensive literature review and interviews with communities associated with two mine sites in Peru informed the research. The ultimate goal is to facilitate an improvement in community-mine relations in a context that has been characterised by increasing social protest, conflict and violence.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Rita Armstrong, Caroline Baillie, Andy Fourie, Glevys Rondon
Mining and development in Indonesia: An overview of the regulatory framework and policies
This project provided an overview of the history of mining legislation and policies in Indonesia and an analysis of the current legislation and its impact within the mining industry. Seven key points were noted and expanded for consideration by policy makers, private enterprise and other stakeholders, to assist in mining and development within Indonesia.
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Researchers: , Dody Prayogo
Mining and health in development
This project aimed to create a register of materials to increase awareness of the unique health risks impacting miners, their families and communities in the development sector, to promote dialogue and social responsibility and inform interdisciplinary studies among scientists, companies, regulators and mining communities.
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Researchers: Phillipp Kirsch, Raechel LaBouchardiere,
Mining and river ecosystem services
This project aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges for effective use of freshwater ecosystem service concepts in the context of assessing and managing sustainable development of mining in the tropical Andean nations. The focus was on overcoming the technical challenges associated with monitoring, modelling, evaluation of service, communication and training, rather than the institutional and regulatory challenges.
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Researchers: Neil McIntyre, Natalia Bustamante, Ed Hauck, Bastien Manz, Bert de Bievre
Mining Regulation and Policy Course
This introductory three-day course on mining regulation and policy was developed as part of a two-stage initiative to provide IM4DC courses of interest to government and other stakeholders. The aim was to introduce the commercial and technical background against which mining projects are developed, and the regulatory and policy solutions which are usually adopted to deal with them.
Download: Summary
Researchers:
*Course development. Development of course content for ongoing education program.
Mining, Resettlement and Lost Livelihoods: Listening to the voices of Resettled Communities in Mualadzi, Mozambique
This study had three aims:
- Understand people’s experiences – especially women’s – of mining-induced displacement and resettlement in Tete province, Mozambique
- Support people from affected communities and local civil society organisations to conduct research and engage with mining companies and government
- Generate a more active dialogue about mining and resettleent among key actors to improve policy and practice.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Serena Lillywhite, Deanna Kemp, Kathryn Sturman
Mitigating Acid and Metalliferous Drainage in the Asam-Asam Basin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia
This research aimed to assess the acid and metalliferous drainage problems in the Asam-Asam coal basin. The project included:
- A case study of pit lake water chemistry
- Knowledge transfer through in-country workshops
- The opportunity to collaborate with lead researchers in the field from Bandung Institute of Technology and Bengkulu University.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Mansour Edraki, Thomas Baumgartl, Rudy Sayoga Gautama, Ginting Jalu Kusuma, Ali Munawar, Lana Saria, Ms Sujatmiko
Negotiation supportive initiative: Steering committee meeting report
The Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance (HVSG) and the Vale Columbia Center for Sustainable Development (VCC) held a steering committee meeting in Berlin in January 2013 to define the way forward for negotiation support initiatives for governments in developing countries in relation to extractives projects. This report set out how the ideas developed in the 2012 AusAID/Australia-Africa Partnerships Facility ‘Options Paper for Extractive Industries Negotiation Skills Training Program for Africans in Africa – Scoping Mission Report’ might work with the ideas presented at the HVSG-VCC steering committee meeting.
Download: Summary
Researchers:
*Advice to government. Full report provided to Australian Aid as advice to government.
Oil and gas revenue management fiscal regimes: An opportunity for East Africa regional development
This project examined to what extent policy, regulation and institutional autonomy can improve revenue transparency and deliver better governance of the Oil and Gas industry in new production frontiers like the East African region.
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Researchers: Don Binyina Bwesigye
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Opportunities and Challenges for Local Food Procurement by Mining Companies in Tanzania and Mozambique
This report investigated the opportunities and challenges for local food procurement by mining companies in Mozambique and Tanzania. The aim of the research was to identify factors that create a ‘win-win’ local food procurement policy for mining companies and local farmers in two case studies.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Kathryn Sturman, Ola Bello
Options paper for extractive industries: Negotiation skills training program for Africans in Africa: Scoping mission report
In December 2012, AusAID established a team to undertake a scoping mission to investigate the main issues and options that AusAID should address in the design and implementation of a Negotiation Program in, and for, Africa. The specific objectives of the scoping mission were to:
- Identify and evaluate legal and negotiation skills training programs for extractive industries currently being delivered in Africa
- Present a set of scalable options that AusAID may consider for delivering negotiation skills training
- Identify ways in which AusAID’s current programs- Australia Awards, IM4DC training opportunities and the Australia Africa Partnerships Facility could be used to support delivery of the negotiation program, possibly through a suite of assistance initiatives
- Identify major risks in the development of a Negotiation Program.
Download: Summary
Researchers: , Leanne Howie
*Advice to government. Full report provided to Australian Aid as advice to government.
Parliaments and Mining Agreements: Reviving the Numbed Arm of Government
This research identifies improvements for parliamentary-approved agreements in two broad areas:
- In the negotiation and establishment of a new parliamentary-approved agreement
- In the operation of an existing parliamentary-approved agreement.
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Researchers: John Southalan, Michael Bennett, Denis Kusaasira, U Thein Oo, Leslie Gabriel
Participatory water monitoring scoping study and SWAP (Social Water Assessment Tool) Pilot in Ghana
The purpose of the research was to undertake a scoping study to:
- Identify the stakeholders in the Golden Star Resources Bogoso/ Prestea mine site in Ghana
- Understand their water issues
- Pilot the newly developed Social Water Assessment Protocol (SWAP) to capture the intersection of a mine site’s water management with the local water context beyond its operational boundaries
- Provide feedback for the developers of SWAP to revise the questions.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Natasha Danoucaras, Adam Babatu, Kathryn Sturman
Previous consultation and the legal framework for mining in Colombia
This project aimed to achieve a better understanding of the process of Previous Consultation for mining projects in Colombia, and the reasons why it failed to deliver any agreement in the case of Law 1382 of 2010. On-site semi-structured interviews were conducted in Bogota with representatives of the government, academia, mining companies and indigenous peoples. Additional data was sourced from relevant publications and documents.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Mario Paredes Campana
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Regional development and mining: Training module
The development of this training module (coursework and study tour) for government, private sector, academia and civil society participants focused on how developing areas can enhance the economic and social benefits from mining. It gave explicit consideration to: regional investment; employment generation; enterprise development; local firm integration into resource projects; infrastructure and service development; landholder management; and regional governance.
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Researchers: Paul Huddleston, , , ,
*Course development. Development of course content for ongoing education program.
Scoping Visit to Mines Safety Department, Zambia
The purpose of this research was to complete a training needs analysis (TNA) of the Mines Safety Department in Zambia and to build linkages with this institution as well as the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe and the University of Zambia in Lusaka (UNZA).
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Carmel Bofinger, Karina Jorritsma
Short course in occupational health and safety
A short course in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management has been developed to provide a broad understanding of the nature and management of OHS systems for participants from developing countries. During this program, a large amount of diary-based data were collected from each participant, with the view that these data could provide useful knowledge to inform the future design and delivery of effective training programs at IM4DC.
Download: Summary
Researchers: , , , , and others
*Course development. Development of course content for ongoing education program.
Sustainable mining development: New curriculum options for community and economic development in mining contexts
The aim of this research was to examine the emerging knowledge frontier in integrated, systemic, social-ecosystem approaches within and beyond the extractive industry, to establish what strategies are applicable and teachable in the African mining development context. This report is designed to assist the development of teaching programs that support practicable sustainable mining for economic and social development in Africa and overseas.
Download: Summary
Researchers: , , Catherine Pattenden, Julia Plavina,
The environmental impacts of air-deck blasting
This research was conducted with the Ariab Mining Company Ltd (AMC) in Sudan in order to test the efficiency of air-deck blasting in reducing the environmental impacts associated with mine blasting. The research sought to address the following:
- Identify the environmental effects resulting from the blasting processes at a mine
- Test out the technique of air-decking compared to the current blasting process
- Assess the outcomes and provide recommendations.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Mohammed Abdalla
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
The Global-Local Interface: Governance Dynamics for Sustainable Human Capital Capacity-Building in Colombian Mining Regions
This research was aimed at increasing our understanding of the processes of multi-stakeholder collaboration governance dynamics for human capital capacity-building, as integral parts of the ´sustainable livelihoods framework´ in mining regions of developing countries. The research focused on the apparent contradiction between skilled labour shortages in the minerals industry and a lack of employment opportunities for the local population in Colombian mining regions.
Download: Summary
Researchers:
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
The Potential of Zambian Copper-Cobalt Hyper-accumulator Plants for Phytoremediation of Polluted (Mining/ Smelter) Soils
This project focused on Cu-Co hyperaccumulator plants occurring in the Copper-Cobalt Belt in Zambia, to unlock their potential for phytoextraction to offer a low-cost approach to rehabilitate metal-contaminated soils.
The Action Research aimed to elucidate metal speciation and elemental distribution in selected Cu-Co hyperaccumulator plants with high potential for phytoextraction.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Antony van der Ent, Peter Erskine
The role of Safety Beliefs in Influencing Safety Outcomes in the Mining Sector in South American Countries
The aim of this follow-up research was to:
- Develop a more refined measurement of individual safety beliefs, to allow an improved understanding of how safety beliefs influence safety related outcomes in the mining sector in South America
- Complement the existing data for Asia-Pacific and African countries collected through the ‘International Safety Benchmark’ survey, with new data from South American countries.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Daniela Andrei, Mark Griffin, Belinda Cham, Jelena Opacic, Raul Diaz, Paola J Ochoa Pacheco
The social and economic impact of the resource sector job stream in Papua New Guinea
This study focused on the impact of the PNG resource sector ‘job stream’ on the national labour market and on the way that national workers who cross this job stream, and are thus employed in the resource sector for various periods of time, contribute to the nation’s social and economic development in their own right. This entailed an examination of the ways in which the periodic growth and contraction of the resource sector job stream intersects with the career paths of individual Papua New Guineans who join it and leave it with various skills in their possession.
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Researchers: , , , , Bill F. Sagir, Rosemary Benjamin, Casper Damien, Jennifer Krimbu, Deane Worobo
Tracer Studies: Evaluating the Longer Term Impact of IM4DC Programs
This evaluation traced six of the IM4DC’s programs in order to understand:
- The longer term benefits to participants
- The longer term outputs and outcomes
- The characteristics critical in generating outcomes; including facilitators, hindrances and overarching themes.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Daniela Andrei, Laura Fruhen, Jelena Opacic, Sharon Parker, Mark Griffin
Transforming Andean Space: Local Experiences and Mining Development in Peru
This research was part of an ongoing PhD project to build an understanding of the transformations experienced by rural societies in the context of mining development in the Peruvian Andes, using a novel approach taken from geographical theories of “production of space”. The research analysed four spatial dimensions: i) access to space; ii) production in the space; iii) spatial mobility and; iv) spatial representations. In turn, the research investigated what these spatial changes tell us about larger social transformations in the region in terms of urbanisation, market integration, migration, and representations of the city and the countryside. In brief, through the conceptual lenses of “production of space” the research describes and analyses local practices and experiences in the context of mining development. Further, it compares these experiences with accounts of social change with the purpose of establishing a debate about the particularities of social transformations in rural societies, which have been triggered by resource development.
Download: Summary
Researchers: Gerardo Castillo
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Translating Values into Action: Guiding Principles for Improved Community Engagement
This research project entailed:
- Engaging with mining industry, government and NGO representatives to study their approaches to listening to communities and their responses to what they hear
- Formulating suggestions to enact the guiding principles in order to facilitate the development of a mutual understanding of company-community interests
- Presenting a summary of a previous report on community prespectives to the individuals and groups interviewed for that report
- Creating two short films to be used in teaching about the impact of mining on communities.
Download: Summary Full Report
Researchers: Rita Armstrong, Caroline Baillie
Visit to mines in Pakistan
This research involved visits to mines in the settled areas of Hazara and Khewara in Pakistan to develop an understanding of mining systems and protocols pertaining to mining in Pakistan, for comparison with the Australian mining culture. In addition, officials in the cities of Abbottabad and Islamabad provided an insight into the different government departments of Pakistan of relevance to mining. This report covers the Pakistani experience.
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Researchers: Ghulam Mubashar Hassan
*Student report. Data included in ongoing research activity.
Water issues associated with mining in developing countries
This project sought to identify and analyse the main mining-related water issues currently experienced in developing countries, identify priorities for capacity building, and outline solutions and possible barriers to solving the issues. Eight countries were studied: Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana, Peru, Mongolia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia.
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Researchers: Natasha Danoucaras, ,
Water-Related Safety, Health and Sanitation of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners and the Affected Communities
This research sought to bring together multiple research partners working in water-related health, safety and sanitation of artisanal miners with a view to facilitating future collaboration and develoment of IM4DC course content, through:
- Two case studies
- Two workshops
- A global market analysis of the need and costs of establishing a short course in this area.
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Researchers: Danellie Lynas, Sarah Goater, Mark Griffin, Alycia Moore, Gernelyn Logrosa, Evelyn Kamanga, Melissa Pearce