Local elites’ extraversion and repositioning: Continuities and changes in Congo’s mineral production networks

Abstract

This article calls for a historical and spatial approach to studying the role of local elites in mineral production networks, paying attention to how they operate across scales and how they navigate structural constraints over time. Using empirical data from different mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it conceptualizes local elites as those who access and control (exclude others from) the factors of production (land, labour and capital). It argues they are able to do so because they operate across scales (extraversion) and adapt to changes in the political economy (repositioning). The article highlights their role as labour mediators, (land/mineral) rent appropriators, capital accumulators and illuminates how coercion and redistribution may work together to achieve control.

The Social Barrier of Strategic Coupling: A Case Study of the Letpadaung Copper Mine in Myanmar

“…(1) the organization and territorial configuration of mining production networks [15,27,28]; and (2) the role of the main actors in the coupling process between mining production networks and the place [29,30]. When applying strategic coupling to resource-based regional economic development, Mackinnon [31] argued that although resource-based regions controlled natural resources, they were often remote and lacked human, technological, and infrastructure assets.…”

Taxation and Public Financial Management of Mining Revenue in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“…Hence, "ASM cooperatives in the DRC may actually increase the financial burden for miners, because the cooperatives demand a share of the miners' revenues" (USAID, n.d.: p. 25;de Haan & Geenen, 2016). Geenen and Cuvelier (2019) further explore the role of local elites in artisanal mineral production networks in South Kivu. Arguing that more attention needs to be paid to how they operate across scales and how they navigate structural constraints over time.…”

Resistance, repression and elite dynamics: Unpacking violence in the Guatemalan mining sector

“…With our article we respond to calls for further scholarly engagement with the "internal perspectives of government authorities and mining companies on resistance" (Conde & Le Billon, 2017, p. 697) the role that the interplay of repression and resistance plays in shaping environmental governance (Middeldorp & Le Billon, 2019;Rasch, 2017). Furthermore, by turning analytically and empirically to the role of elites and their entanglements with the state and extractive firms we also engage with ongoing discussions about the ways in which elites and industry actors shape environmental governance Alonso-Fradejas, 2012Bull, 2015;Bull & Aguilar-Støen, 2015Dougherty, 2019;Geenen & Cuvelier, 2019). Finally, we situate our article within broader scholarly discussions on environmental conflicts, resource extractivism and struggles over land in Guatemala (Aguilar-González et al, 2018;Aguilar-Støen, 2015Alonso-Fradejas, 2012Dougherty, 2011;Fox, 2015;Granovsky-Larsen, 2019Hurtado Paz y Paz, 2006;Laplante & Nolin, 2014;Mingorría, 2018;Mingorría et al, 2014;Nolin & Stephens, 2010;Pedersen, 2014;Urkidi, 2011;Yagenova et al, 2012).…”