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How can mining contribute to sustainable development in Colombia? : a review of stakeholders perspective and policy gaps

Malagon Orjuela, Edwin Antonio LU (2012) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM01 20121
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
With increased demand and high prices for minerals and metals in recent years, many resource rich
developing countries see mining sector as vital to develop their economies. Colombia is one of these
nations. Non-renewable natural resource wealth is seen as an opportunity to obtain economic benefits
that can be transformed into increased wellbeing for citizens. However, mining often involves a high
environmental impact and the risk of causing, or exacerbating social problems and conflicts in mining
areas is significant. This study addresses the issue of ‘How then can mining contribute to sustainable
development?’ in the Colombian context. This issue is critical – with 44% of the population in poverty,
and the territory considered one... (More)
With increased demand and high prices for minerals and metals in recent years, many resource rich
developing countries see mining sector as vital to develop their economies. Colombia is one of these
nations. Non-renewable natural resource wealth is seen as an opportunity to obtain economic benefits
that can be transformed into increased wellbeing for citizens. However, mining often involves a high
environmental impact and the risk of causing, or exacerbating social problems and conflicts in mining
areas is significant. This study addresses the issue of ‘How then can mining contribute to sustainable
development?’ in the Colombian context. This issue is critical – with 44% of the population in poverty,
and the territory considered one of the most biodiverse in the world. Views obtained from interviews
with representatives of stakeholder groups from government, industry and civil society and the content
of national mining policy documents were compared with a selection of industry best practice guidelines
in order to identify key issues for mining and sustainable development in the country. Best practice
guidelines were principally drawn from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Mineral, Metals and
Sustainable Development policy framework and the Extractive Industries Value Chain approach. Eleven
key issues were identified as important for informants: policy frameworks, institutional capacity, access
to information, royalty and tax regimes, transparency, local socioeconomic development, stakeholder
participation and responsibility, community trust and image, environmental performance, mine closure
and illegal mining. The findings also suggest three principal gaps that need to be addressed with some
priority. The focus of mining policies should be shifted from a principal focus on increased production
towards sustainable development and poverty reduction objectives; better coordination between
mining, environmental and national development policies and institutions towards sustainable
development objectives is required; and improved technical and institutional capacity to provide an
adequate assessment process and the information regarding whether the benefits from mining
overcome its negative impacts ant national and local levels is needed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Malagon Orjuela, Edwin Antonio LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM01 20121
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
extractive industries, Colombia, mining, sustainable development, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2012:007
language
English
id
2798272
date added to LUP
2012-06-21 00:51:48
date last changed
2012-11-26 10:25:40
@misc{2798272,
  abstract     = {{With increased demand and high prices for minerals and metals in recent years, many resource rich
developing countries see mining sector as vital to develop their economies. Colombia is one of these
nations. Non-renewable natural resource wealth is seen as an opportunity to obtain economic benefits
that can be transformed into increased wellbeing for citizens. However, mining often involves a high
environmental impact and the risk of causing, or exacerbating social problems and conflicts in mining
areas is significant. This study addresses the issue of ‘How then can mining contribute to sustainable
development?’ in the Colombian context. This issue is critical – with 44% of the population in poverty,
and the territory considered one of the most biodiverse in the world. Views obtained from interviews
with representatives of stakeholder groups from government, industry and civil society and the content
of national mining policy documents were compared with a selection of industry best practice guidelines
in order to identify key issues for mining and sustainable development in the country. Best practice
guidelines were principally drawn from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Mineral, Metals and
Sustainable Development policy framework and the Extractive Industries Value Chain approach. Eleven
key issues were identified as important for informants: policy frameworks, institutional capacity, access
to information, royalty and tax regimes, transparency, local socioeconomic development, stakeholder
participation and responsibility, community trust and image, environmental performance, mine closure
and illegal mining. The findings also suggest three principal gaps that need to be addressed with some
priority. The focus of mining policies should be shifted from a principal focus on increased production
towards sustainable development and poverty reduction objectives; better coordination between
mining, environmental and national development policies and institutions towards sustainable
development objectives is required; and improved technical and institutional capacity to provide an
adequate assessment process and the information regarding whether the benefits from mining
overcome its negative impacts ant national and local levels is needed.}},
  author       = {{Malagon Orjuela, Edwin Antonio}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{How can mining contribute to sustainable development in Colombia? : a review of stakeholders perspective and policy gaps}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}