Abstract
This article explores how the materiality of natural resources influences social movements. Applying a relational paradigm and new materialism approach, this article explores the materiality of gold as a vital element of actor-network linkages, organisation, framing mechanisms, and recruitment. The transformation of gold from an ore into a mechanism for commodification reflects the interactions between capital holders, scientists, political actors, and legislators. This sociomaterial formation has limited residents' access to such resources as gold, water, land, wood, and clean air, and this momentum has given rise to a social movement in opposition to gold mining activities.
 This article shows that social movements are not monolithic, but rather dynamic movements that consist of various actors, issues, narratives, and strategies. This study focuses on the anti-mining movement in Tumpang Pitu, Banyuwangi, East Java, and its two decades of struggle to illustrate how the formation, networking, fragmentation, and evolution of social movements is influenced by their materiality (in this case, gold). This article finds that the commodification of gold influences movements' repertoires. This offers an alternative explanation for social movements, which have long been dominated by an actor–structure approach that views social movements as linear, monolithic, and constant collective actions that respond to marginalisation and injustice.
Highlights
This article discusses a social movement active within the mining sector
This study focuses on the anti-mining movement in Tumpang Pitu, Banyuwangi, East Java, and its two decades of struggle to illustrate how the formation, networking, fragmentation, and evolution of social movements is influenced by their materiality
In order to fill this gap, this study identifies the materiality of natural resources as having affecting social and political relations and connecting actors– network through collective action
Summary
This article discusses a social movement active within the mining sector. The extraction of natural resources is often rejected by local residents, who mobilise themselves in opposition to mining and other exploitive activities (Urkidi, 2010; Grugel et al, 2017, pp. 1-19). In order to fill this gap, this study identifies the materiality of natural resources as having affecting social and political relations and connecting actors– network through collective action. On the other hand, such competition results in the marginalisation of ordinary people and limits their access to nearby natural resources (including water, land, and wood) This drives the creation of collective movements in opposition to mining activities. Since 2012, PT BSI has held a permit (IUP OP) to exploit 5,000 hectares of land in Sumberagung Village, Pesanggaran Regency, including 1,942 hectares of which is in Tumpang Pitu This case shows how gold extraction and commodification requires significant capital, technology, and labour, and close relations with political actors and policies that permit mining within protected forests. The expansion of the tourism sector was used to promote a narrative of environmentally sound mining (Ilhami, personal communication, January 3, 2017); The Banyuwangi Office of Tourism designated Merah Beach and
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