(4)Mining: Resource Curse or a Wicked Solution for a Sustainable Future

摘要

While the mining industry is seen to be a key player in addressing poverty reduction it has also been associated with environmental degradation, economic disturbance, population displacement, inequality, which gave rise to the term "resource curse". The sector, whose economic viability is determined by commodity markets is, at a time of unprecedented low mineral prices, trying to adopt lean operations and reduce is capital expenditure, as well as meet its environmental and social obligation and responsibility. This presents a complicated and complex “wicked" problem. How can the mining industry respond to these challenges? How can it develop and maintain good relationships with all of its stakeholders, including the one without a voice- the environment? This paper, explores the notion of resource curse and wicked problem alongside current thinking in the international development sector to propose lessons for a “wicked" solution that could foster a sustainable change process from exploration through to closure. In doing so the paper attempts to demystify a socially and ecologically sustainable corporate community development concept that could result in a social license to operate. In doing so, it considers the perspective of corporations as well as the rural host communities in which the sector predominantly operates and promotes an urgent need to rethink the relationship between these two players to one centred around a deliberative dialogue.