Mining Town Research Articles

Petrified

Set in a rural mining town in nineteenth-century Spain, Benito Pérez Galdós’s novel Marianela enfolds a complex mediation on the relationship between humans ( bios ) and stones ( geos ) in the wake of industrial modernization. At the heart of this natural world are Marianela, an unsightly lumpen-proletariat, her blind bourgeois companion Pablo, and Celipín, a child miner, all raised in proximity to a zinc sulfate mine and all compared to the geological matter of the earth. Working at the intersection of disability studies, ecocriticism, and theories of biopolitics, the article examines the relationship between disability and rurality. The novel’s unconventional treatment of disabled and socially marginalized characters as human stone sheds light on a process the article terms petrification: the mutual debilitation of the bodies of nature and human bodies, exploited by capitalism and ableism alike.

Clustering residents of a spanish mining site: when attitudes towards tourism are not linked to perceptions

is study uses a segmentation framework to categorize the residents of Minas de Riotinto, a mining town in Andalusia, Spain, based on their perceptions of the personal and community effects of tourism. ese segments were then classified according to their tourism attitudes, utilizing a three-dimensional approach encompassing affective, cognitive, and behavioral elements. For this purpose, a cluster analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test were successively applied to the responses of 346 residents. The results revealed three main groups of residents: "interested and enthusiastic supporters", "disinterested and moderate supporters" and "incongruous and impulsive residents". Contrary to our expectations, all groups showed favorable affective attitudes towards tourism development in their region. However, significant differences emerged between groups concerning the cognitive and behavioral dimensions of their attitudes.

Geopolitics, diplomacy, or idealistic research? Framing the research community in Ny-Ålesund

ABSTRACT The former mining town of Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard, Norway has evolved into an international research community with over 20 research institutions from more than 10 countries. Although the Norwegian government has welcomed the increasing internationalisation of Ny-Ålesund, they also emphasise that all research activities on Svalbard are to be exclusively regulated by the Norwegian authorities, culminating in 2016 when the Norwegian government announced a firmer host role policy for the research community. Not all countries agree with this view, however. This dispute relates to the increased political interests in the region at large, with new resource possibilities as a key element. The Ny-Ålesund situation therefore makes an interesting case study of the relationship between research and geopolitics. Given that much of the scholarly discourse on Svalbard focuses on states’ interests and international relations, there is a risk that perspectives on the purpose of research in Ny-Ålesund that focus less on the geopolitical aspects are neglected. Drawing on Goffman’s concept of frame and fieldwork conducted during August – December 2022, this article explores different interpretations of the purpose of the research community in Ny-Ålesund. Specifically, the focus here is directed to the Norwegian government’s decision to enforce a firmer host role policy for Ny-Ålesund, which intensified the tensions between the various interests and perceptions related to the purpose of the research community.

Atmospheric air pollution of a mining town in the Kuzbass region by toxic metals

The paper analyses the results of active biomonitoring of atmospheric air pollution in the mining town of the Kuzbass region by the most toxic metals. The epiphytic moss Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) B. S. G. was used as a bioindicators; determination of metal content in moss samples was carried out using neutron activation analysis and atomic emission spectrometry methods. Based on the results of the study, spatial distributions for pollution levels of the most toxic metals were plotted and their sources were identified.

Challenging the myth of women's empowerment: Mining development and commercial sex in a Zambian town

Commercial sex and mining have long been interwoven. With the spread of neoliberal capitalism, social relations around the mine site have become increasingly commodified. This ethnographic study examines the experiences of female sex workers in the mining town of Solwezi, Zambia. Women's stories offer insight into the lives of those excluded from the conventional women's economic empowerment narrative that has been widely adopted by the mining industry and what this means for their wellbeing and health. Despite the rhetoric, economic empowerment is not easily attained and women often remain heavily reliant on mine workers given limited and unequal opportunities within the labour market. In Solwezi, women who have been abandoned by a mine-working husband may find that sex work is the one opportunity available to them. Alternatively, women have migrated from across the country to participate in commercial sex work in Solwezi. Men, especially mine workers with twice-monthly pay cheques, have become a sought-after commodity, by both sex workers and wives. This has increased their power in their relationships, entrenches inequality, and increases the potential for abuse in these relationships. Despite these dynamics, sex working women continue to be neglected in Solwezi and by the broader development community. When they are considered, generally attention is directed towards HIV prevention. These interventions fail to consider the complex social, political, and economic context that can affect women's living and working conditions.

Joy and Sorrow; Sorrow and Joy

This book, my second published book is dedicated to my son, Frank Daly who died an untimely death in November of 2021 and the first two poems are about him. This is a book of poetry written over about 59 years of my life and also it includes popular sayings, many from a very wise Salvadoran grandmother who lived in the mining town of El Mochito in Honduras for many years. The poems are written about family, philosophical topics, and with musings principally about mining and surveying, mineral exploration and Latin America and it was published in January of 2024 and is about 16,000 words long. This book was published by Friesen Press as it was my first book From the Erzgebirge to Potosi about the history of geology and mining in the last 500 years and also the close connection between mining, geology and society especially of the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution.

Local Governance Structures and Their Role in Mobilising Community Action: A Case of Recreational Facilities in Mining Towns in the Copperbelt Province

This paper explores the role of local governance structures at community level in mobilising community action in the redevelopment of recreational facilities in former mine townships in the Copperbelt Province. These facilities are experiencing a management quandary resulting from the privatisation of the mining conglomerate, ZCCM, in the late 1990s. This paper argues that every society has a way of reorganising itself when such vacuums in management occur. Growing literature places this research agenda within “self-organising”, “co-production”, “self-managing”, etc. Underpinning these self-organising processes are local governance structures devised by communities themselves, which include various actors being involved in the decision making and management processes for community development. In modern societies, the role of these structures is often underplayed and only realised when a vacuum appears in the management as is the case for formerly mine-owned recreational facilities in Copperbelt towns. A multi-case study approach was adopted in this mixed method research to determine the communities’ ability to regenerate the dilapidated recreation centres. The research found that the communities had the social capital required to drive the regeneration process, exhibited by the benevolence shown to each other, the willingness to participate in activities at the recreation centres and the availability of self-organising associations. Additionally, the local structures were able to self-organise and participate in decision making and management required for successful community development.

Environmental challenges associated with disposal of baby diapers in Hwange town, Zimbabwe

The rapid increase in the use of disposable baby diapers in urban areas is associated with a number of environmental challenges. This study assesses the environmental challenges of disposable baby diapers in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires, interviews, and field observations were used for data collection in this study. Data collected from the field was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel. The study findings show that pollution, diseases, and odours are the major challenges of poor waste management associated with disposable baby diapers in Hwange ZPC residential areas. The study recommends the involvement of responsible authorities in conscientious recycling and education on waste management. The research also recommends the need to conduct longitudinal research to establish the position of local and central government in the bid to promote a safe and healthy environment in mining towns such as Hwange, as they are overlooked.

Assessing economic vulnerability in South African municipalities: A focus on mining-dependent regions using the Economic Complexity Index

South Africa’s historical reliance on mineral resources has established thriving towns and settlements, sustaining households for decades. However, the decline in demand for these resources and mine closures pose significant threats to the future of these areas, creating vulnerabilities in towns and their dependent regions. This article addresses concerns about the vulnerability of certain South African municipalities, particularly those heavily dependent on mining. Employing an Economic Complexity Index (ECI), the study identifies and classifies vulnerable mining towns and regions. The methodology involves applying the concept of economic vulnerability, utilising sub-national economic and trade data to determine the complexity of municipal economies. In addition, geospatially linked data is employed to identify mining-dependent areas at risk. The results highlight municipalities with low economic complexity, signalling the need for targeted interventions and emphasising the importance of economic diversification in mitigating risks. The study not only serves as a warning for current planning, but also lays the groundwork for future research and evidence-based policymaking to ensure the sustainability and resilience of regional economies in South Africa.

Mining Town of Kuzbass Prokopyevsk in First Half of 1930s: Problems of Miner’s Everyday Life and Improvement of New City (Local Periodicals)

The issues related to the everyday life of miners during the formation of the city of Prokopyevsk are being considered. The relevance of the study is determined by scientific interest in the history of daily life. A literature review on the research problem has been conducted. Over a hundred issues of the local newspaper “Zaboy” from the first half of the 1930s were analyzed, along with reference and statistical collections. The social aspects of urban life in Prokopyevsk during the formation of urban infrastructure were studied. Housing issues, urban improvement, and public catering were examined in relation to the professional affiliation of city residents. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that periodical publications allow researchers to explore topics that were previously either uninteresting or not characterized in such detail regarding daily life. The author concludes that each period in history has its specific problems. It is noted that there were difficulties in the 1930s, which were ultimately successfully overcome. The author asserts that certain problems are still observed in modern urban development stages. However, the author is confident that these problems can be successfully resolved with the correct interaction of all levels of the urban community.

Social capital and cultural heritage tourism development in former mining town, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Social capital and cultural heritage tourism development in former mining town, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Impacts of anthropogenic activities and glacial processes on the distribution of chemical elements in Billefjord, Svalbard, Arctic

The Arctic region is undergoing rapid and extensive transformations due to global climate change. This study investigated the spatial distribution of 31 chemical elements in eight locations in Billefjord, Svalbard, Arctic, with varying degrees of anthropogenic and glacial influences. The west coast of Billefjord has experienced a greater historical anthropogenic impact, while the east coast has larger glaciers and shows less visible evidence of direct human impact. Over 450 topsoil samples collected in the west (abandoned mining town Pyramiden, and glacial valleys of Elsa, Ferdinand, Sven) and east coast of the fjord (glacial valleys of Ebba, Pollock, Ragnar and nearby the Nordenskiöld glacier). These samples were extracted and analyzed by ICP-OES. The results revealed complex distributions of elements among the locations. Nordenskiöld glacier area, along with other locations in the eastern part of the Billefjord, had significantly higher levels of most elements (20 out of 31; As, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Li, Mg, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zr). In contrast, Ferdinand Valley and other locations on the western side of the fjord had the lowest mean concentrations of most elements (18 out of 31; B, Ca, Cu, Cd, K, Li, P, Mg, Mo, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zr). These findings highlight the significant influence of glacial processes on the elemental composition of soils within the region. The meltwater flow originating from glaciers in the sampled valleys contributes to the local element load, while the loss of glacier mass is associated with decreased element concentrations within these valleys. These results underscore the complexity of element distribution in the study area and emphasize the necessity for continuous monitoring efforts in this unique and environmentally sensitive region.

A Crusading Voice for the Mining West

The Rossland Evening World, a four-page daily dedicated to the mineworkers of British Columbia’s bustling West Kootenay mining town of Rossland, first appeared on May Day 1901 – just in time to do battle with local mine owners in the historic 1900–01 miners’ strike. The World may have owed its existence in part to William “Big Bill” Haywood, a founder of the militant Western Federation of Miners (wfm) and the Industrial Workers of the World. On visiting the town and the prospectors’ camp in the 1890s, Haywood saw that Rossland would soon grow into a thriving Pacific Northwest mountain community with a steady increase in wfm membership. He encouraged the miners to form wfm Local 38, possibly the first wfm local in Canada, and soon a dozen Kootenay locals formed wfm District Association 6. A wfm grant followed to help launch the local and the new daily. Amid growing frustration with bad working conditions and mine owners’ refusal to recognize the wfm, the World became a welcome sister to the wfm’s Miners’ Magazine, dedicating itself to “the Interests of Organized Labor.” By the fall of 1900, the strike of 1,400 miners was on, and the World published news and analysis throughout the region. Ultimately the strike was lost, but the World carried on until 1904. As its legacy, it showed how a daily newspaper could help build community support and provide a defence for the local unionized workforce.

Analisis Faktor Kejelasan di Bekas Pekan Perlombongan Timah di Lembah Kinta, Perak untuk Pembentukan Strategi Pemuliharaan Bandar

The formation of Pekan Papan, one of the old tin mining towns in the Kinta Valley, Perak, is closely related with the development of economic activities that show the development of mixed culture between races in Malaysia. This scenario can be seen through the creation of buildings surrounded by the landscape of the mining area tin, planned urban structures and a wealth of architectural features that define its cultural value. On Currently, the condition of the building is neglected due to rapid urbanization and the inclusion of the city uncontrolled, which has threatened the old town despite its unique structure and character worn out This paper focuses on the conservation strategy of former tin mining towns in Malaysia which is one of the reasons why Malaysian cultural heritage entities are protected, which can be produced by studying the physical characteristics of its elements. By using qualitative research methods, this research explores, identify and evaluate tangible elements by revisiting definitions and concepts of physical attributes and cultural values from the perspective of urban conservation describes the identity of a place through the understanding of clarity factors. This study is important to understand the physical characteristics of former tin mining towns that are now abandoned, obsolete and may soon be destroyed. This study will enrich the historical documentation and conservation strategies by stimulating the relationship between the sense of place and the quality of related experiences with social and cultural activities as part of the unique characteristics of the old town that can be enjoyed by stakeholders and future generations.

A Mining Theme Park—Cultural Competition and the Politics of Identity Claims in an Indonesian Mining Town

The Wallacea–Sawerigading Mining Park (Taman Tambang Wallacea Sawerigading) in the mining town of Sorowako in Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been created by the mining company whose operations dominate the landscape and the local economy. The theme park juxtaposes the distinctive flora and fauna, and the pre-colonial history of the region, with the modern mining operations, creating a thematic stamp for regional identity. This article discusses the park and related tourism and leisure activities to illuminate processes of identity formation and identity-based competition in this cosmopolitan town. The voices of the original inhabitants (the orang asli Sorowako—autochthonous people of Sorowako), who have deployed their resistance identity in articulating rights claims, today are in competition with multiple foci of identity-making—from the mining company, governments, and migrants to the mining region. The paper draws on the author’s long-term research (from 1977 to now) following the social transformations associated with the mine.

Source Apportionment and Potential Ecological Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metals in Typical Industrial and Mining Towns in North China

To understand the status of heavy metals in soils of typical industrial and mining towns and quantitatively analyze the potential sources, the contents of seven heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in 150 surface soils in Xuanhua District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province were collected and examined. The geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk index methods were used to evaluate the heavy metal pollution status and potential ecological risk. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were used to comprehensively analyze the pollution sources of seven heavy metals, and geostatistics was used to identify the high contribution areas of potential sources. The results revealed that:① the average values of heavy metals in the study area ranged from 0.23-103.34 mg·kg-1, among which the average contents of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were higher than the soil background value of Hebei Province. ② The results of the geoaccumulation and potential ecological risk indices demonstrated that the degree of pollution of the seven heavy metals was in the following order:Cd>Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>As>Cr, the content of Cd in 16% sites was above a moderate pollution level, and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in more than 95% sites was at a light risk level. ③ The main sources of accumulation of the seven heavy metals in the study area were combined sources of industry and traffic, natural sources, and agricultural sources, with their contribution rates of 33.1%, 48.7%, and 18.2%, respectively. Among them, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were primarily affected by the combined sources of industry and transportation; Cr, Ni, and As were mainly affected by natural sources, whereas Cd and some As were affected by agricultural sources. The organic combination of PCA, PMF model, and geostatistical methods confirmed the results of each analysis, which increased the reliability of the analytical results of heavy metal sources.

Satellite-based technology assessing Ukraine’s ecology under the war

The Donbas is a region dominated by heavy industry, particularly coal mining, chemical processing sites and metallurgy. Intensive mining and steel smelting led to substantial environmental damage before the armed conflict. The fighting in eastern Ukraine has exacerbated an already fragile ecological situation, introducing a range of new risks – of stray munitions hitting extensive chemical and industrial facilities or interconnected mines being flooded and poisoning the water throughout the region. Besides, one of the main hazards is flooding territories associated with closing coal mines. Assessment impacts of uncontrolled mine flooding and towns and villages and associated hazardous processes of surface and groundwater contamination, surface subsidence and dangerous deformations of residential and industrial buildings and other facilities carried out the remote sensing and geological data.

Economic Sustainability of Small Mining Towns: A Case Study in South Africa

Small mining towns are often single-industry towns that turn to ghost towns or face negative socio-economic impacts upon mine closure. This study qualitatively explores the roles that mining companies and other key stakeholders (should) play in the development of local economies of the small mining communities to bring about economic sustainability, employing a constant comparative analysis. A small mining town in South Africa is the case study. Legislative and policy frameworks were scrutinized for their effectiveness in promoting economic sustainability. In-depth interviews with key stakeholders were carried out. Key factors limiting the effective implementation of developmental strategies were also explored. The study finds that weak community involvement, lack of trust, poor collaboration, poor municipal capacity, and legislation and policy flaws impact economic sustainability. Sustainable local economic development efforts are reported though. However, such efforts are insufficient because of the legislation and policy frameworks that are promoting short-term growth. Also, the town’s overdependence on the mining company, local government not optimally fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, and minimal community members’ participation on local economic development are other hindrances. However, the fact that the mining company and local municipality do acknowledge the shortcomings in their efforts towards promoting economic sustainability is a promise in minimizing the socio-economic effects of mine closures.

Арктический туризм как драйвер устойчивого развития территории: исследование заинтересованности местных стейкхолдеров Республики Коми

In recent decades, interest in Arctic tourism has been growing at a high rate all over the world. The relevance of this area is also increasing against the background of global climate change and the development of so-called “last chance tourism”. The Russian Arctic has unique competitive advantages in the Arctic tourism market, preserving vulnerable Arctic and tundra landscapes under various anthropogenic activities, a large number of national parks and historical and ethnographic heritage. At the same time, a number of single-industry towns are also concentrated there, which have practically no revenue base. According to many researchers, Arctic tourism can become a driver for the sustainable development of the territory and local communities of these towns. But to realize this scenario, the interest of local stakeholders — representatives of government, business and the population — is necessary. This article is devoted to the analysis of the results of a study of local communities’ interest in tourism development as a driver of sustainable development of the territory. The Arctic zone of the Komi Republic, namely the former mining town of Inta, was chosen as the area of study. The results of desk and field studies carried out within the framework of the research expedition in the Arctic zone of the Komi Republic are described. A comparative analysis of international studies on the topic has been carried out, a conceptual model of the attitude of local communities in the Arctic to the development of tourism in the region and the results of in-depth research and focus groups with key stakeholders of tourism in the Komi Republic have been described, limiting factors and potential for the development of Arctic tourism have been identified on the example of the selected territories.

Seroprevalence survey of SARS-CoV-2, community behaviors, and practices in Kansanshi and Kalumbila mining towns.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a global pandemic by WHO after it spreads quickly around the world from its source city in Wuhan. Africa has some of the lowest documented SARS-CoV-2 incidences globally, with over 9 million confirmed cases as of December 2022. This may be due to efficient mitigation, outbreak response, or demographic traits. Surveillance capability may have suffered as nations changed funding, regulations, and testing plans. Therefore, this study was to document the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, its characteristics, and the socio-economic characteristics in the two mining districts of Solwezi and Kalumbila of Zambia. Between 28 March and 26 April 2021, a cross-sectional cluster-sample survey of households in two mining districts of Zambia was conducted. Twenty standard enumeration areas (SEAs) were randomly selected in Kansanshi (17 SEA) and Kalumbila (3 SEA) from a total of 67 SEA that encompass the two mines. Members of households aged <5 years were not eligible to participate in the survey. All participants that consented to participate in the interview were also asked to consent to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), which tested for recent infection and past exposure to the virus (IgM and IgG, respectively). Out of the total sample of 3,047 that were present for the interview, 622 of them agreed to test for COVID-19. Of the total that tested for SARS-CoV-2, 2.6% were IgM positive while 9.0% were IgG positive. Despite the above results, 1,586 participants that agreed to the interview indicated a low self-risk assessment of getting COVID-19 (46.5%) or someone (45.5%). On the public health measures, participants who did handwashing more than usual (65.0%), not hand sanitizing more than usual (69.0%), not disinfecting surfaces in their households than usual (87.5%), not avoiding drinking from bars or nightclubs (90.6%), and not wearing a mask when out in public places (71.1%). In the logistic multivariable model, participants with age 24 years and above (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI = 1.10, 7.81) and having experienced symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.33, 5.05) had a significant effect on testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Although the results showed that active COVID-19 prevalence in Solwezi and Kalumbila communities surrounding the two mines was low, exposure to infection was five times high. Government and mining firms should continue to sensitize the community members on the preventive measures of COVID-19 and continue with community testing so that all those positive but without symptoms can self-isolate and those with symptoms and sick can be admitted to the hospital.