Community voices: Assessing the benefits and concerns of mining in China

Mining activities often have significant positive and negative effects on local communities. This study presents insights from China, focusing on rural communities’ perspectives on the overall benefits of mining. The initial investigation was conducted at three sites in April and May 2022. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 key stakeholders, including officials from county mining and land administration departments, mining rights holders, representatives from the mining association, township government officials, and a group of local farmers. The study identifies and utilises four indicators to assess the impact of mining: employment opportunities, environmental pollution, land expropriation, and land subsidence with associated resettlement. The analysis involves a diverse sample of 352 farmers who are demographically and economically spread across six provinces and reside near mining areas. The findings revealed that only a minority of farmers perceived mining as yielding net benefits, with direct employment being the primary influencing factor. While land expropriation has a minimal impact on perceived benefits, land subsidence significantly affects these perceptions. Although relocation helps farmers mitigate risks, it does not substantially alter the overall negative perceptions of mining among the population. This study underscores the need for the Chinese government to develop a sustainable framework to address the risks associated with mining, with a particular focus on displacement and resettlement issues.