Events

September 23-24, 2024

Scientific Symposium – Lifestyles, Work, and Journeys in Mining

This symposium, organised within the framework of the Gold Matters project, explores “Gold Lifeways” and aims at promoting a sustainable approach to artisanal gold mining. It is based on an interdisciplinary collaboration between gold miners, artists, and researchers in West Africa, East Africa, and the Amazon. IFSRA and IRIS are bringing together anthropologists, geographers, sociologists, and artists to discuss artisanal mining, comparing the contexts of South America and Africa.

The entire seminar will be conducted in French, except for one panel in English. If you wish to follow the full seminar, you can find detailed information on our French event page. The first day will focus on sustainability concepts within the mining sector and the experiences of both artisanal miners and industrial companies. A highlight of the day will be Panel 3: “Gold Extraction Across Continents: African and South American Cases”, held in English, which will delve into the comparison between small- and large-scale gold extraction practices across the two continents.

The second day will explore research methodologies for studying the social world of mining, integrating social sciences with artistic media, particularly through photography and video.

All about the English panel: Program, Speakers and Registration - Here:
Panel 3 - Gold Extraction Across Continents: African and South American Cases

15:00-16:30 GMT (Ouagadougou) / 17:00 – 18:30 GMT+2 (Aubervilliers) – Panel in English

In Latin America, large-scale gold mining industries are more prevalent. While the formalisation of the sector has contributed to some social development, negative environmental and social impacts persist, as do conflicts and struggles between local populations, the state, and transnational corporations. This panel will aim to depict and analyse both small-scale and large-scale gold extraction lifestyles in Latin America. In particular, it will address the discourses surrounding mining practices and government repression, questioning the different conceptions of sustainability between continents.

Expected Speakers:

  • Maria Eugenia Robles Mengoa
  • Gisselle Vila Benites, Clark University, USA/Pérou
  • Caroline Weill

Discussant:

  • Martin Cavero, EHESS / IRIS

>> Fill in the form to register to this panel : Register here

 

News from our team

Participation to conference: Sociology and Biography, Nantes (26/05/2023)

IFSRA Seminar: From pickaxe to mercury… to cyanide: theoretical and methodological reflections for an anthropology of socio-technical transformations (06/06/2023)