Naomi Schrandt , Julia M. Wittmayer , Tamara Metze
{"title":"Unravelling the discursive dynamics of counternarratives in the Dutch energy transition","authors":"Naomi Schrandt , Julia M. Wittmayer , Tamara Metze","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101546","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101546","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decarbonization of the energy system to combat climate change poses a significant challenge for the Netherlands, often attributed to carbon lock-in: a persistent dependence on fossil fuels shaped by historical forces. Carbon lock-in also occurs at the discursive level, which is why research on sustainability transitions increasingly explores discourses as a crucial element for change. Our research contributes to this knowledge by exploring how counternarratives shape the discursive dynamics surrounding the fossil fuel industry's role in the Dutch energy system. Using an interpretive approach, we examine how the role of Shell, as the ‘epitome’ of the Dutch fossil fuel industry, is framed by both Shell itself and three discursive agents opposing fossil fuel-based pathways. To this end, we reconstruct the counternarratives by Friends of the Earth NL, Follow This, Code Rood and Shell around how they envision the role of Shell in the Dutch energy system, with the goal to identify how discursive agents position their narratives vis-à-vis each other and if coalitions are formed. Our findings reveal that discursive agents deploy a variety of strategic practices to increase the successful reproduction of their narratives: first, Code Rood strategically adopts a radical narrative that stimulates imagination, polarizing the discursive struggle surrounding Shell's role in the energy system. Second, Follow This strategically adopts a marginal narrative, designed to persuade incumbents of alternative interpretations, especially to rethink the profitability of fossil fuels. Third, Friends of the Earth NL and Follow This enhance their discursive agency through coalition building. Since unlocking institutionalized discourses becomes more important, further research should shed light on discursive dynamics within the institutionalized discourse. By offering insights into the pivotal role(s) of counternarratives in instigating discursive change, this study contributes to the growing body of knowledge crucial for accelerating the shift toward a decarbonized energy system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142327816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isidro Téllez-Ramírez, María Teresa Sánchez-Salazar
{"title":"Mining-metallurgical monopoly capital in Mexico, 1960–2023","authors":"Isidro Téllez-Ramírez, María Teresa Sánchez-Salazar","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzes the historical evolution of monopoly capital in the mining-metallurgical sector in Mexico during 1960–2023, focusing on the cases of the companies Grupo México and Industrias Peñoles. The main corporate strategies used to maintain and expand their control are reviewed, as well as the economic policies and legal changes that occurred in parallel with this process, from the Mexicanization of the industry to the implementation of neoliberal policies. It is concluded that the trajectory of mining monopolies is based on the appropriation of growing revenues through land monopolization and the formation of a corporate-government network, leading to an increasing concentration of wealth and the generation of prolonged socio-environmental conflicts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101545"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142327815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring socio-economic and financial dimensions of rural small-scale gem mining in Passara, and Lunugala areas of Sri Lanka: Implications for sustainable development","authors":"Gayithri Niluka Kuruppu , Nimila Dushyantha , Jeevatharani Thavendrem , Vidshan Mananjaya , Gimhani Nipunika , Titus Cooray","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite being rich in gem resources, the Passara, and Lunugala areas of Sri Lanka continue to experience poor economic and social development, lagging other regions of the country. This disparity raises the need to examine the underlying causes of their stagnation, despite the potential of the gem mining industry to drive growth. Therefore, the research problem seeks to explore \"How do socio-economic challenges, financial inequities, and traditional practices in the rural gem mining industry of Passara, and Lunugala in Badulla district hinder its contribution to sustainable development and equitable growth?\". Hence, the objectives of this study are two-fold: firstly, to identify the socio-economic challenges faced by workers and owners in the rural gem mining industry of Passara, and Lunugala. Secondly, to investigate financial disparities and power dynamics between investors/owners and workers in the gem mining sector, focusing on their impact on sustainable development. The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing interpretivism and inductive reasoning to assess the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of five investors/owners and fifteen workers in gem mining. The findings highlight critical socio-economic hurdles, financial disparities between owners and workers, and the need for policy interventions to foster equitable growth and environmental sustainability. Key recommendations include implementing Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) practices, advancing mining techniques, and introducing robust labor laws.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101544"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142318777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bruno Milanez , Daniele Costa , Luiz Jardim Wanderley
{"title":"Life cycle assessment of iron ore in Brazil: The importance of system boundaries","authors":"Bruno Milanez , Daniele Costa , Luiz Jardim Wanderley","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study adopts life cycle analysis tools to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Brazil's iron ore sector. It is based on the assumption that when commodities are extracted strictly for export, ignoring the impacts of logistics might undervalue these products’ contribution to climate change. Therefore, we calculate the emissions associated with land use change, mining, ore processing, pelletisation, land transport, and international shipping. Iron ore is used as the case study because it is the most traded metal in the global market. This research is grounded in secondary data obtained from public databases of Brazilian agencies for the 2016–2020 period. When reliable information is unavailable, the Ecoinvent database is used and adjusted for the Brazilian context. This study evaluates the emissions of one tonne of iron ore and pellets. Estimates indicate that deforestation/land use, mining and processing, domestic transport, pellet production, and international shipping represent 9 %, 38 %, 11 %, 13 %, and 29 % of the GHG emissions of Brazil's iron ore sector, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101541"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142315226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Critical minerals for energy transition: The emerging regime complex","authors":"Nidhi Srivastava, Atul Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In order to meet decarbonisation and net zero goals, the energy transition will play an instrumental role. However, energy transition technologies are raw material intensive and depend on a secure and reliable supply of critical minerals. Over the last few years, the international regime for energy transition and critical minerals have undergone changes. This paper studies the international institutional framework governing critical minerals for energy transition (CMET). There is no single regime that is equipped to address the various facets of CMET. Therefore, the paper describes the existence of regime complex and key features that characterise the regime complex as it unfolds in this new area of study. Since there is a growing interest from institutions from different regimes, there is a great potential for cooperation, mutual learning amongst policy makers and further academic research in the regime complex of CMET.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101536"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142274638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Siyabulela Manona , Thembela Kepe , Deon (Div) De Villiers
{"title":"Sand mining governance in post-apartheid South Africa: Interlegalities of resource extraction on the Wild Coast","authors":"Siyabulela Manona , Thembela Kepe , Deon (Div) De Villiers","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This viewpoint explores the challenge of the intersection of demand for sand, concerns over its exploitation and its governance in South Africa. Mainly drawing on secondary literature review and direct observations, we highlight the irony of the concern about the environmental cost of sand mining, in the midst of poor sand mining governance. The viewpoint argues that the problem in the Wild Coast is the multiple jurisdictions of sand mining governance, ranging from national, provincial and local government legislation, policies and practices, that combine and create confusion. We call for stronger governance locally, and at other scales, including opening up legal mining opportunities, especially in light of current unauthorized sand mining taking place.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101542"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142274637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Contention and concessions: Exploring the responsiveness of Chinese mining companies in Africa","authors":"Jan Sändig , Jana Hönke , Claude Kabemba","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As China's investments are rising fast across the globe, we examine the circumstances under which Chinese mining companies concede to protest. While scholars have already identified success conditions of such struggles, it is unclear if these conditions apply to Chinese cases as well. More so, some research suggests that Chinese business practices fundamentally differ from others. Therefore, we seek to better understand Chinese corporate responsiveness by examining major mining projects from Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Our analysis draws on protest event data (collected from news and social media), interviews, and further sources to trace protests and company responses. We find that Chinese mining companies indeed concede under similar conditions as Western and other companies: recurrent disruptive actions, pressure from state actors and NGOs, and reputational concerns are key factors for their responsiveness. As we discuss, however, reputational vulnerabilities, which result from global supply chains and transnational activism, are differently distributed in the Chinese case, which undercuts the responsiveness of some major Chinese miners.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101535"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214790X2400131X/pdfft?md5=727ebb0d1126757054057c5c9aa2d2ce&pid=1-s2.0-S2214790X2400131X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142242328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Who drives the green shift? EV and battery policymaking and systemic marginalisation of auto suppliers in South Korea","authors":"Kahee Jo","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101538","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101538","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The swift global transition to electric vehicles (EV) and batteries in the automotive industry highlights the nature of governments’ efforts towards a green economy, marking a transition from environmental regulations to industrial policies. This shift has led to renewed interest in industrial policies, especially in East Asian developmental states, like South Korea. The EV and battery industries in South Korea have grown rapidly along with the government's efforts to mobilise the entire economy through aggressive green industrial policy, particularly during the Lee Myung-bak administration (2008–2012). Big Korean automobile and electronics manufacturers have participated directly in setting the country's industrial agenda, leading the green industrial policy with their business interests. However, the process of EV and battery policymaking also marginalized auto suppliers in the existing manufacturing sector from agenda setting. Focusing on business’ <em>structural</em> power, this paper explains how big business elites systematically alienate small and medium-sized suppliers from the new growth policy thanks to their strong information monopoly in the hierarchical structure of production in the automobile industry and EV policies in South Korea.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101538"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214790X24001345/pdfft?md5=79dd72f044b5563fc00f740cc89eb89b&pid=1-s2.0-S2214790X24001345-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Craig A. Johnson , Araceli Clavijo , Mauricio Lorca , Manuel Olivera Andrade
{"title":"Bringing the state back in the lithium triangle: An institutional analysis of resource nationalism in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia","authors":"Craig A. Johnson , Araceli Clavijo , Mauricio Lorca , Manuel Olivera Andrade","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101534","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101534","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>International efforts to tackle climate change have ignited a global surge in demand for the “critical metals” that are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). Among them, lithium represents a critical strategic component that is concentrated in only a limited number of extractive zones. In theory, limited availability and strong demand creates favourable conditions for producer states. In practice, many states have struggled to nationalize the production of battery-grade lithium, reflecting the dominant role that multinational corporations play in the sector. This paper explores the strategies that producer states in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia have used to navigate this rapidly changing dynamic, making the case that the recent surge in demand for battery metals has created new opportunities for challenging the oligopoly of multinational capital but the ability of governments to reorient production linkages for enhancing incomes, technical capacity, and economic opportunity in the production of lithium derivatives remains structurally and historically constrained by the institutional legacies of nationalization and social mobilization that vary across the three states. Drawing upon the “political settlements” literature, we contend that national and subnational efforts to exert greater control over the lithium sector can be attributed to the institutional legacy of political contestation and the role of social actors in crafting new power configurations that challenge dominant state-business coalitions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101534"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214790X24001308/pdfft?md5=1dadc05c0f0c083b6415d02153e5a6f7&pid=1-s2.0-S2214790X24001308-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142173304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Umut Mete Saka , Klaus Pacheco-Hague , Sebnem Duzgun , Nicole Smith
{"title":"An analysis of the impact of CO2 emissions from deforestation and mining in Madre de Dios, Perú","authors":"Umut Mete Saka , Klaus Pacheco-Hague , Sebnem Duzgun , Nicole Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101526","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.exis.2024.101526","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Madre de Dios Region of Peru faces significant deforestation largely due to a surge in artisanal-small scale gold mining (ASGM), propelled by rising gold prices. This study evaluates the full scope of ASGM activities on net CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, accounting for both the deforestation that converts forests into mining territories and the emissions directly resulting from mining and transportation activities. By applying kriging to a comprehensive dataset, we determined the carbon content of the region and the annual loss of CO<sub>2</sub> capture due to deforestation. Our analysis also incorporates emissions from the Interoceanic highway, which has contributed to the mining boom. The findings indicate a total net CO<sub>2</sub> emission of 429.9 Gigagrams (Gg) per year, underscoring the critical environmental challenge these activities pose. Our study highlights the need for immediate and effective reclamation efforts, including reforestation with indigenous carbon-rich trees, as a counterbalance to the environmental damage inflicted. These efforts are essential to mitigate the adverse impacts and support the global movement towards net-zero emissions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47848,"journal":{"name":"Extractive Industries and Society-An International Journal","volume":"20 ","pages":"Article 101526"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142157773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}