Influence of Mining Operations on Quality of Life of Local Communities: A Case Study of Extensive Open-Pit Mining in Chingola, Zambia

Abstract

While mining operations play a crucial part in local development and employment world wide, it also raises substantial social, economic, and environmental concerns. Prior studies have shown mixed impacts of mining on communities, highlighting benefits like economic stimulation against drawbacks such as environmental degradation and health risks. This duality forms the crux of existing literature but lacks detailed exploration, as research assessing both the negative and positive influences, as well as its influence on the overall quality of life in local communities is scarce, especially within the context of Africa. Moreover, the decarbonization of the global energy transition cannot occur without African resources. Therefore, this study employs a Mixed Method Approach (MMA) to investigate the influence of mining activities on the quality of life of local communities, focusing on an open-pit copper mine in Chingola, Zambia. The findings indicate a wide range of negative environmental and social impacts, as well as some positive social and economic impacts. The data further reveals an unequal distribution of these impacts within the community. Those living in close proximity to the mine, often less educated and with higher unemployment rates, suffer the most from the negative effects. It also highlights the absence of accessible and reliable compensation processes. Furthermore, training- and job opportunities provided by the mine are primarily perceived by male workers. The data also highlights that economic satisfaction has a greater impact on quality of life than environmental satisfaction, showing the importance of employment for the community. However, the amount of employment opportunities and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is heavily dependent on the success of the mine, as times of adversity can increase the crime rate and reduce the amount of CSR.