How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments
The rapid worldwide increase in resource extraction is evident in Madagascar—a global biodiversity hotspot. This study examines the localized effects of operational and planned large-scale extractive investments on social-ecological systems in Madagascar and links them to the Sustainable Development...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Current Research in Environmental Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049024000173 |
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| author | Julie G. Zaehringer Madlaina Michelotti Maëlle Andriambalohary Fenitra Rajerison Ambinintsoa Rakotoarinosy Sandra Eckert Bruno Ramamonjisoa Onintsoa Ravaka Andriamihaja |
| author_facet | Julie G. Zaehringer Madlaina Michelotti Maëlle Andriambalohary Fenitra Rajerison Ambinintsoa Rakotoarinosy Sandra Eckert Bruno Ramamonjisoa Onintsoa Ravaka Andriamihaja |
| author_sort | Julie G. Zaehringer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rapid worldwide increase in resource extraction is evident in Madagascar—a global biodiversity hotspot. This study examines the localized effects of operational and planned large-scale extractive investments on social-ecological systems in Madagascar and links them to the Sustainable Development Goals. The focus is on sites owned or explored by foreign investors, specifically Ambatovy Moramanga, Ambatovy Tamatave, QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto, Ranobe, and Tantalum Rare Earth Malagasy. Employing a counterfactual approach, we gathered survey responses from 459 small-scale farming, agro-pastoral, and artisanal-fisheries-based households. The survey provided information on general household characteristics, land use, land management, livelihoods, well-being, and any perceived changes to these variables, as well as any perceived mining impacts related to the changes. Overall, respondents reported predominantly negative effects on land (and sea) use, livelihoods, well-being, and security. Mining pollution, primarily from operational sites, had reduced access to water and fisheries resources, and natural forest areas had diminished. Reduced productivity due to pollution of soils, water, and air had a negative impact on various land uses and affected people's health, particularly in the surroundings of QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto. Although some projects, such as Ambatovy, had eventually improved healthcare and infrastructure, most negative mining impacts had occurred during both the exploratory and the operational phases of the projects. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive view of how large-scale extractive investments affect land (and sea) use and human well-being. In addition, we highlight policy implications that must be considered if large-scale extractive investments are to support progress on the 2030 Agenda. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8f5f07e04a14ae396f4be95fbc75aa0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-0490 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Research in Environmental Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8f5f07e04a14ae396f4be95fbc75aa02024-12-13T11:03:40ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Environmental Sustainability2666-04902024-01-018100257How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investmentsJulie G. Zaehringer0Madlaina Michelotti1Maëlle Andriambalohary2Fenitra Rajerison3Ambinintsoa Rakotoarinosy4Sandra Eckert5Bruno Ramamonjisoa6Onintsoa Ravaka Andriamihaja7Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern, Kochergasse 4, 3011 Bern, Switzerland; Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Corresponding author at: Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern, Kochergasse 4, 3011 Bern, Switzerland.Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern, Kochergasse 4, 3011 Bern, SwitzerlandEcole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques, Mention Foresterie et Environnement, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P 175-101 Antananarivo, MadagascarEcole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques, Mention Foresterie et Environnement, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P 175-101 Antananarivo, MadagascarEcole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques, Mention Foresterie et Environnement, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P 175-101 Antananarivo, MadagascarCentre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandEcole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques, Mention Foresterie et Environnement, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P 175-101 Antananarivo, MadagascarCentre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques, Mention Foresterie et Environnement, Université d'Antananarivo, B.P 175-101 Antananarivo, MadagascarThe rapid worldwide increase in resource extraction is evident in Madagascar—a global biodiversity hotspot. This study examines the localized effects of operational and planned large-scale extractive investments on social-ecological systems in Madagascar and links them to the Sustainable Development Goals. The focus is on sites owned or explored by foreign investors, specifically Ambatovy Moramanga, Ambatovy Tamatave, QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto, Ranobe, and Tantalum Rare Earth Malagasy. Employing a counterfactual approach, we gathered survey responses from 459 small-scale farming, agro-pastoral, and artisanal-fisheries-based households. The survey provided information on general household characteristics, land use, land management, livelihoods, well-being, and any perceived changes to these variables, as well as any perceived mining impacts related to the changes. Overall, respondents reported predominantly negative effects on land (and sea) use, livelihoods, well-being, and security. Mining pollution, primarily from operational sites, had reduced access to water and fisheries resources, and natural forest areas had diminished. Reduced productivity due to pollution of soils, water, and air had a negative impact on various land uses and affected people's health, particularly in the surroundings of QIT Madagascar Minerals/Rio Tinto. Although some projects, such as Ambatovy, had eventually improved healthcare and infrastructure, most negative mining impacts had occurred during both the exploratory and the operational phases of the projects. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive view of how large-scale extractive investments affect land (and sea) use and human well-being. In addition, we highlight policy implications that must be considered if large-scale extractive investments are to support progress on the 2030 Agenda.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049024000173MiningExtractive industriesLand use changeWell-beingSocial impactsSustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Julie G. Zaehringer Madlaina Michelotti Maëlle Andriambalohary Fenitra Rajerison Ambinintsoa Rakotoarinosy Sandra Eckert Bruno Ramamonjisoa Onintsoa Ravaka Andriamihaja How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments Current Research in Environmental Sustainability Mining Extractive industries Land use change Well-being Social impacts Sustainable development goals |
| title | How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments |
| title_full | How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments |
| title_fullStr | How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments |
| title_full_unstemmed | How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments |
| title_short | How are large-scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in Madagascar? Perceived social-ecological impacts of mining investments |
| title_sort | how are large scale extractive industries affecting progress toward the sustainable development goals in madagascar perceived social ecological impacts of mining investments |
| topic | Mining Extractive industries Land use change Well-being Social impacts Sustainable development goals |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049024000173 |
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