Values in post-mining regional transition: A political–economic regime approach, with insights from Australia

Abstract

We develop a political-economic regime framework and apply it to assess the adequacy of governing arrangements to realise overarching social values in three Australian regions transitioning from mining (Victoria's Latrobe Valley; South West Western Australia; and Northern Territory's Gove Peninsula − a majority Indigenous region). The framework situates values, policy arguments, and institutions in a co-evolving system context. Through this lens, mine closure planning and post-mining development emerge as regimes that share overarching values. However, for land rehabilitation, institutions of mine closure risk management prevail over regional development processes. People's values and knowledge illuminate to an encouraging degree the functioning of complex political–economic regimes. Our analysis contributes to theory and practice of regional transition by revealing systemic interactions that need to be addressed for mine closures to contribute to post-mining regional development.