Dreams of treasures and dreams of wilderness – engaging with the beyond-the-rational in extractive industries in northern Fennoscandia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Few industries are surrounded with such drama as mining. The extractive sector is a highly contested industry that triggers strong emotional responses. Simultaneously, dreams of prosperity and of a better future have been attached to mining ventures throughout history. Nevertheless, mining is predominantly presented as a ‘rational’ space. I argue that a more comprehensive understanding is needed on the influence of what I call beyond-the-rational on modern mining conflicts. This approach is particularly relevant when examining the extractive industries in northern Fennoscandia due to various Utopian constructs having been attached to the North for centuries. Thus, current mining disputes are embedded in broader cultural dreams and they need to be examined with a long-term perspective. In this article, I discuss how being aware of the role dreams play in mining enables the opening of constructive dialogue between the opposition and proponents of mining projects and is a step towards creating more sustainable communities. Finally, I suggest, that the existence of two contrary cultural visions, of wilderness and of upcoming prosperity, is one reason behind the polarisation of discussions around northern mining projects.