Mining and Indigenous Peoples: Rights, Regulations and Best Practices
The project aims to develop knowledge and tools to better manage land use conflicts that affect indigenous peoples, the mining industry and the state.
Why are we doing this?
Unresolved and costly conflicts over mining activities in Sápmi are becoming increasingly common. Our previous research shows that values and views (visions of the future, relationship with nature, etc.) explain a lot about where, how and why conflicts arise. But rights issues and the process, such as who is involved and their opportunities for influence, also play a role. Now we want to go further and investigate the role of process and indigenous rights; what could be achieved with clearer/stronger rights and a better process?
Objective?
To develop knowledge and tools to better manage land use conflicts involving indigenous peoples, the mining industry and the state.
How?
By comparing Swedish conditions with similar cases in Canada where indigenous rights are clearer and stronger and where many companies have developed more advanced methods for consultation and cooperation with First Nations. We compare procedures for contact/consultation/cooperation between companies and indigenous peoples in mine development processes in two Swedish and three Canadian cases. The Swedish cases are Gállok in Jokkmokk municipality (an example of a conflictual case) and Aitik in Gällivare municipality (an example of a case without open conflict). The project runs between 2018 and 2020.
Research questions?
What does the interaction between the state, indigenous peoples and companies look like? What is the significance of indigenous rights and state regulations (e.g. permit assessment) for relations between companies and indigenous peoples?
What should we do?
Spring 2018: Preparatory research meetings to gather the perspectives and questions of communities/First Nations, companies and the state
Fall 2018 and 2019: Research and analysis of the five case studies; interviews and document analysis.
2020: Research meetings and seminars with Swedish and Canadian researchers, First Nations/Sami communities, companies and policy makers in Sweden. Based on the results, we develop tools and recommendations for Swedish decision-makers and companies. Focus on regulatory frameworks and indigenous rights design and best practices.
What will come out of the project?
Recommendations to Swedish decision-makers on how to design regulations and rights to avoid difficult-to-resolve conflicts between mining companies and samebys
A “toolbox” with methods for consultation, consultation and cooperation between mining companies and Sami villages.
Two scientific publications.
Which researchers are participating from Sweden?
Karin Beland Lindahl, Gregory Poelzer (LTU Political Science) and Christina Allard (LTU Law).
Who is funding?
Vinnova SIP STRIM.
Contact us
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