Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
variables like wars, famines, and changing economic and political conditions. Development
of a new mining project would introduce unanticipated economic variables. At a local scale,
mines may drastically influence the basic demographic equation by increasing net migra-
tion, which is often accompanied by undesirable social consequences ( Case 7.6 ).
People in most developing countries continue to have large families, because parent-
hood elevates their status and large numbers of children are economic assets. The implica-
tions of these different growth rates can be illustrated using population pyramids, graphic
representations of a population divided into age and sex classes. Industrialization is the
primary factor influencing growth rate. In every country that industrializes, the growth
rate declines and the standard of living, including life expectancy, improves. The pri-
mary problems of uncontrolled growth, sometimes associated with mining projects, are
the development of pockets of poverty, environmental decay, and a decline in the qual-
ity of life for some people. To be truly successful, managing growth needs to follow three
guiding principles: scale (regional and local planning), livability (respect of human needs),
and social justice (how growth affects people). The social management plan for a mining
project must reflect these three principles.
At a local scale, mines may
drastically infl uence the basic
demographic equation by
increasing net migration, which
is often accompanied by
undesirable social consequences
The primary problems of
uncontrolled growth, sometimes
associated with mining projects,
are the development of pockets
of poverty, environmental decay,
and a decline in the quality of life
for some people.
Social Organization and Structure
Society is organized 'to get its job done'. Nations do so through formal organizations. The
same system that can be frustrating and impersonal is also the one on which we rely for
our personal welfare and to fulfil our daily needs. Formal organizations, secondary groups
designed to achieve specific objectives, have become a central feature of contemporary
society. Today, we take their existence for granted.
The larger the formal organization, the more likely that it will become a bureaucracy.
Bureaucracies are defined as formal organizations characterized by five features that help
CASE 7.6
Shanty Town Housing of Illegal
Miners in Diwalwal, Philippines
Diwalwal, the gold rush site in Southern Mindanao is said to
be the home of the biggest undeveloped gold deposit in the
Philippines. It is also the site of armed confl icts and tragedies.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly small miners, rely on it for
their livelihood. Several mining companies have tried to take
control, some using military force. The Philippine Government
continues to search for a balanced approach that allows of
the opening the area for large-scale modern mining while
at the same time providing an income and livelihood to the
thousands of current small-scale miners.
 
 
 
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