Assessing the environmental, economic, and social impacts of industrial mining on agricultural communities in Sierra Leone: A sustainable approach using PLS-SEM

Abstract

Mining activity in developing countries is frequently associated with the most severe and disastrous environmental impacts, posing a threat to the survival and livelihoods of local communities where agriculture is the primary sustenance. Therefore, this article explores the effects of mining operations on the farmers' livelihood assets, corporate social responsibility, and mining acceptance in the mining communities. Kenema district in Sierra Leone was purposively selected because of predominant rice farming amidst active mining activities. Questionnaires were provided to a random sample of 358 farmers in the district. To extract meaningful information from the questionnaire data, a Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) using Smart-PLS4 software was employed as it focuses on testing a theoretical framework from a predictive perspective. This facilitated the development of a higher component model with a reflective-reflective structure to estimate the sustainable livelihoods model. The findings show that mining operations have a negative impact on farmers' sustainable livelihood assets, except for positive financial assets. Likewise, mineral exploitation had adverse and significant effects on mining acceptance and corporate social responsibility for the communities. Corporate social responsibilities can significantly mediate the relationship between mining industries and mining acceptance in the mining areas. The paper highlights the importance of balancing environmental sustainability with socioeconomic development in mining policy. To achieve this, stakeholders and the government should enforce strict regulations on the reclamation and restoration of mined fields and ensure mining industries adhere to their corporate social responsibilities in the areas they operate.