On 28-30 September, a writing workshop on “green extractivism” and global commodity chains was held in Trondheim (Norway), organized by the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, with funding from the ERC project “Synthetic Lives: The Future of Mining” (grant 950672) and the European Association for Social Anthropologists (EASA).
The twenty-two participants from nine countries discussed the limits to "green extractivism" in the context of global supply dynamics. Although labeled as 'green' and as a necessity for a future low-carbon economy, this form of extractivism reproduces existing socio-environmental impacts and cases of "land grabbing." Young scholars working on related topics had the opportunity to present their work and to receive and provide feedback in an informal setting.
The workshop closed with an excursion to the former copper mining town of Røros, where participants visited the historical mining site, and had a meeting with representatives of Capella Minerals, an exploration company that is currently exploring opportunities for new copper and cobalt mines in the Røros area.
The organizers are grateful to Capella Minerals, as well as to Alexander Dunlap, John McNeill and David Painter for their valuable contributions to the workshop programme.
Organized by: Filipe Calvão, Espen Storli, Nikkie Wiegink, Simon Lobach, Lasse Zetterlund, Rivana Cerullo, Sylvia Nissim.
Group photo with all workshop participants during an excursion in Røros, Norway, September 2023.
More information on the "Synthetic Lives: The Futures of Mining" research project here.