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Rethinking the concept of small-scale mining for technologically advanced raw materials production

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  • Sidorenko, Olga
  • Sairinen, Rauno
  • Moore, Kathryn

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is conceptual analysis and critique, informing development of a modern technologically-advanced small-scale mining (SSM) concept. The need for SSM has recently been articulated in a European mining policy context. In an attempt to secure access to minerals, European strategy includes the development of new approaches to the extraction of resources from ore deposits, including by SSM operations. However, the application of traditional thinking and definitions of small-scale mining to a European context is problematic, such that the evolution of modern smaller scale mining also requires re-thinking of the underpinning concepts. We discuss various company structures, scales of mining and their specific features. We differentiate SSM from “artisanal small-scale mining” (ASM) and discuss its relationship to “large-scale mining” (LSM). From this analysis, we distill the key features and criteria of SSM and raise important questions concerning social and environmental sustainability in relation to SSM. We suggest that greater definition of what constitutes technological small-scale mining in a European context will substantially improve further research in the development of mining solutions and contribute to the discussion on the future of mining both within and outside of Europe.

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  • Sidorenko, Olga & Sairinen, Rauno & Moore, Kathryn, 2020. "Rethinking the concept of small-scale mining for technologically advanced raw materials production," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:68:y:2020:i:c:s0301420719307871
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101712
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Badakhshan, Naser & Shahriar, Kourosh & Afraei, Sajjad & Bakhtavar, Ezzeddin, 2023. "Determining the environmental costs of mining projects: A comprehensive quantitative assessment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    3. René Paz Paredes Mamani & Roberto Arpi Mayta & Roberto Chávez Flores & Faustino Ccama Uchiri, 2022. "Impact of metal mining on per capita family income in Peru," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 35(2), pages 283-294, June.
    4. Kasmaeeyazdi, Sara & Abdolmaleki, Mehdi & Ibrahim, Elsy & Jiang, Jingyi & Marzan, Ignacio & Rodríguez, Irene Benito, 2021. "Copernicus data to boost raw material source management: Illustrations from the RawMatCop programme," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. Moore, K.R. & Moradi, S. & Doyle, K. & Sydd, O. & Amaral, V. & Bodin, J. & Brito-Parada, P.R. & Dudley, F. & Fitzpatrick, R. & Foster, P. & Goettmann, F. & Roberts, D. & Roethe, R. & Sairinen, R. & Sa, 2021. "Sustainability of switch on-switch off (SOSO) mining: Human resource development tailored to technological solutions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    6. Rodríguez-Novoa, Felipe & Holley, Elizabeth, 2023. "Coexistence between large-scale mining (LSM) and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Perú and Colombia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    7. Fernando Morante-Carballo & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Maribel Aguilar-Aguilar & Paúl Carrión-Mero, 2022. "A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-29, July.
    8. Muhirwa, Fabien & Shen, Lei & Elshkaki, Ayman & Hirwa, Hubert & Umuziranenge, Gloriose & Velempini, Kgosietsile, 2023. "Linking large extractive industries to sustainable development of rural communities at mining sites in Africa: Challenges and pathways," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Singh, Devesh, 2022. "Renewable energy, urban primacy, foreign direct investment, and value-added in European regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 547-561.

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