Exploring the Social, Economic, and Environmental Challenges in Mining-Dependent Communities: A Classical Grounded Theory Study of RoshPinah, Namibia

Abstract

The research sought to determine the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining ‘on communities, using Rosh Pinah as a study area. This examines the consequences of economic reliance on mining, on the environment, and common practices and policies towards communities in the pursuit of measures of sustainable development.
This study adopted a qualitative research approach and interviewed 14 of the 15 participants from different professions; administrators, environmental specialists, health-care personnel, teachers, human resource personnel, exploration geologists, finance managers, and self-recruited plus un-recruited participants. Interviews conducted in the study were analyzed using thematic analysis to extract necessary themes while focus group discussions supplemented information on the community’s experiences and issues.
The study identified four key themes: 1) Self-sustainability creativities with Community participation, 2) Transition of Communities: collaborative approaches 3) Building capacity of collaborations: and 4) Youth and Community participation. It indicated a strong community reliance on mining and hence suffer the implications of economic dependence such as poverty and substance abuse. Some of the problems raised included environmental concerns such as dust and lead pollution where the participants complained of poor dust control measures. It was also established that economic dependency had effects on economic growth locally, employment, and investment. The study also identified win-lose mentality and poor executive decision-making as factors that hinder sustainable development in the long run.
The study calls for diversification to decrease the dependency of communities in mining to avoid various risks as showcased in the study regarding Mopane. It is imperative to mention that dust control measures together with enhancement of environmental controls are instrumental in containing health hazards. The study insists on the community development process as a long-term process involving increased cooperation with related stakeholders, development and support of local entrepreneurs, and visioning for economic stability and sustainability.
This paper is valuable for the analysis of the relationships between economic dependency and the environmental health of the population as well as for enhancing the understanding of the problems of mining-dependent communities. They bring novel perspectives on how sustainable development can be developed and implemented in complex contexts, which is useful knowledge for policymakers, industries, and community leaders who wish to respond to the complex issues that arise from mining-dependent regions.