The socio-economic impact of mining: a comparative study of Botswana and Zambia
Date
2016
Authors
Imakando, Sepo
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Abstract
Mining is an activity that many African countries depend on, and Africa’s export-oriented mining and quarrying is driven primarily by the commodity hunger of the world’s largest economies. In developing countries commodity exports form the most significant portion of exports. Although economic benefits are present because of mining activities, due to the scale and destructive nature of these mining activities some negative impacts are felt on the environment in terms of deforestation, land degradation, toxic water, and loss of farm lands to make way for mining activities. Using Botswana and Zambia as cases due to their institutional differences, mineral production and variety of ore, the study was conducted to see how mining activities affect communities in 216 households.
Using a case approach, three primary sources of data in the form of household surveys, focus group discussions and the key informant interviews were used to capture data needed to answer the main research questions. Empirical research revealed that the socio-economic impacts of mining are mining induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR), the environment, infrastructure and social amenities, health, and the social fabric. The quantitative findings from the Relative Importance Index (RII) indicated that infrastructure and social amenities was the most important factor affecting communities, other important factors were health, and employment. Qualitative results highlighted negative environmental impacts as a result of a lack of law enforcement in Zambia, a fragmented social fabric in both Botswana and Zambia, and an overall improvement in health facilities more so in Zambia than Botswana. In addition, Zambia had a presence of mafia activity in the form of Jerabos and Chondos whereas Botswana had no reported evidence of mafia like activities.
Theoretically, the study provided a new dimension of analysis of socio-economic impact which included the macro and meso-level as a better method of assessment of mining impact in communities. Through the empirical findings, a theory was abstracted to position the law as a key determinant of the quality of institutions and not just as one of the listed factors that affect institutional quality. The findings showed that the law greatly influences state capacity to promote economic development. A major difference in mining law in Zambia and Botswana is government’s involvement in the implementation of the law. Botswana shows evidence of more government influence on mining operations than Zambia which reduces the incidence of rent seeking behavior in Botswana, and shows that Botswana has better institutional quality than Zambia. However, global legal practices show that both countries require legal reform to improve their institutional quality and mitigate negative mining impacts. Legal frameworks for robust environmental protection, community engagement, and compensation are needed in both Botswana, and Zambia. Institutional quality is based on the extent to which the law is understood by all stakeholders and implemented.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfillment for the degree of doctor of Philosophy in Management from Witwatersrand Business School at the University of Witwatersrand,
December 2016
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Citation
Imakando Musokotwane, Sepo (2017) The socio-economic impact of mining: a comparative study of Botswana and Zambia, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23224>