title: An Analysis of the Concept of 'Sustainability' in Mining Agreements in Papua New Guinea: The case of Hidden Valley/Hamata Mine

authors: Esonu, Bernard

subjects: Papua New Guinea

abstract: This thesis examined the way in which notions of economic, social and environmental sustainability were addressed in mining agreements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), through a case study of the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. The thesis offered a discussion of indigenous and western perspectives on economic, social and environmental perspectives and practices. It then developed a model of sustainable development drawn from the scholarly literature and applied it to the case study.

The thesis explored the extent to which principles of sustainable development were incorporated into the mining agreement, as well as in negotiations amongst key actors. The study analysed key documents relating to sustainable development in PNG, including relevant national legislation and the memorandum of agreement negotiated amongst the principal actors in the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. In addition, interviews and focus groups with the main participants in the Hidden Valley/Hamata case were also analysed. The analysis revealed significant deficiencies in the understandings of issues around sustainable development among all actors, which affected the negotiations of the mining agreement. The dominant concern for all actors, reflected in the analysis of documents and interviews, was economic. Furthermore, indigenous perspectives on sustainability were not given a hearing in the negotiations.

The study demonstrated that the major power differences between government and the mining company, on the one hand, and the landowners, on the other hand, prevented meaningful participation of the affected villagers in the negotiation process. The contradictory role of the state as both the regulator of the mining company and its partner in the mining development, along with a lack of awareness about issues of sustainable development, adds to the difficulty of implementing the provisions of the Environment Act.  The thesis concludes by developing an analytical framework for negotiating sustainable development in mining agreements through incorporating indigenous and western perspectives and practices of economic, social and environmental sustainability in development projects.

The significance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on sustainable development with specific reference to mining in PNG. It offers insights into the negotiation process of mining agreements and offers a framework for negotiating sustainable development in practice in the future.

text: An Analysis of the Concept of 'Sustainability' in Mining Agreements in Papua New Guinea: The case of Hidden Valley/Hamata Mine This thesis examined the way in which notions of economic, social and environmental sustainability were addressed in mining agreements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), through a case study of the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. The thesis offered a discussion of indigenous and western perspectives on economic, social and environmental perspectives and practices. It then developed a model of sustainable development drawn from the scholarly literature and applied it to the case study.

The thesis explored the extent to which principles of sustainable development were incorporated into the mining agreement, as well as in negotiations amongst key actors. The study analysed key documents relating to sustainable development in PNG, including relevant national legislation and the memorandum of agreement negotiated amongst the principal actors in the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. In addition, interviews and focus groups with the main participants in the Hidden Valley/Hamata case were also analysed. The analysis revealed significant deficiencies in the understandings of issues around sustainable development among all actors, which affected the negotiations of the mining agreement. The dominant concern for all actors, reflected in the analysis of documents and interviews, was economic. Furthermore, indigenous perspectives on sustainability were not given a hearing in the negotiations.

The study demonstrated that the major power differences between government and the mining company, on the one hand, and the landowners, on the other hand, prevented meaningful participation of the affected villagers in the negotiation process. The contradictory role of the state as both the regulator of the mining company and its partner in the mining development, along with a lack of awareness about issues of sustainable development, adds to the difficulty of implementing the provisions of the Environment Act.  The thesis concludes by developing an analytical framework for negotiating sustainable development in mining agreements through incorporating indigenous and western perspectives and practices of economic, social and environmental sustainability in development projects.

The significance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on sustainable development with specific reference to mining in PNG. It offers insights into the negotiation process of mining agreements and offers a framework for negotiating sustainable development in practice in the future.

year: 2009

title: Beyond agropiracy: the case of Italian pasta in the United States retail market

authors: Cembalo, Luigi

subjects: traditional European food style

abstract: Together with the benefit due to the worldwide increase in consumer interest in traditional European food style, a growing phenomenon of agropiracy has taken place. Firms' marketing strategies tend to concentrate on product purity while we believe there exists a well-defined path worth: 1. introduction of a traditional (original) product on international markets; 2. local firms' imitation of the successful good; 3. local firms redesigning original products according to local consumption models and preferences. A representative sample of American consumers were interviewed in 12 US cities. Econometric analysis results suggest that a strategy aimed at emphasizing the authenticity of the origin of any product may not lead to any improvement in its market share, but it might very likely affect that market as a whole. Products should be offered as part of a sort of traditional product package to promote food habits rather than just commodities.

text: Beyond agropiracy: the case of Italian pasta in the United States retail market Together with the benefit due to the worldwide increase in consumer interest in traditional European food style, a growing phenomenon of agropiracy has taken place. Firms' marketing strategies tend to concentrate on product purity while we believe there exists a well-defined path worth: 1. introduction of a traditional (original) product on international markets; 2. local firms' imitation of the successful good; 3. local firms redesigning original products according to local consumption models and preferences. A representative sample of American consumers were interviewed in 12 US cities. Econometric analysis results suggest that a strategy aimed at emphasizing the authenticity of the origin of any product may not lead to any improvement in its market share, but it might very likely affect that market as a whole. Products should be offered as part of a sort of traditional product package to promote food habits rather than just commodities.

year: 2008

title: An indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub : Enabling our resources, strengths and histories

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

abstract: This paper was presented as part of an informal indigenous psychologies dialogue session at the Australian Psychological Society's annual conference. In this paper, we present the concept of an indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub that reduces distance, helps students remain in community, uses resources efficiency, and has the capacity to bring indigenous psychologist and academics into closer communication.

text: An indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub : Enabling our resources, strengths and histories This paper was presented as part of an informal indigenous psychologies dialogue session at the Australian Psychological Society's annual conference. In this paper, we present the concept of an indigenous psychologies teaching and research hub that reduces distance, helps students remain in community, uses resources efficiency, and has the capacity to bring indigenous psychologist and academics into closer communication.

year: 2014