荔枝视频

In an era of critical mineral demand and a global energy transition, the term 'responsible mining' is more important than ever.  

But what does it actually mean on the ground, and what conditions allow it to flourish? A team of 荔枝视频 researchers are tackling this complex question.  

The (CAMASA) project unites researchers from across campus and internationally to investigate the complex web of factors that determine whether a mine helps or harms a host community. 

The project is being supported by a Consolidating , which awards up to $20,000, from U荔枝视频鈥檚 Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship and involves researchers from the , and (SSE). 

Taking a global approach to mining

Dr. Evaristus Oshionebo, Faculty of law professor is PI on the project. Dr. Pouya Zangeneh, Endowed Chair in Engineering Project Management, a professor with the Schulich School of Engineering and LLD, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Law, serve as CO-PI鈥檚. Christopher Roberts, MSS鈥�10, a professor with the Faculty of Arts and Dr. Zangeneh serve as coordinator鈥檚 for the project with Dr. Zangeneh for Latin America and Roberts as coordinator for Africa. Together they examine the global footprint of Canadian-listed mining companies in Africa and South America 鈥� and what responsible mining really looks like in practice鈥� 

CAMASA uses mining projects as case studies to explore how legal, financial, environmental and social dynamics interact to determine whether a mine is built; and who benefits. Steyn is working in collaboration with , PhD, full professor in the Faculty of Law, whose expertise further strengthens the project鈥檚 legal and international dimensions.鈥� 

鈥淐anadian companies have long played a major role in global mineral exploration,鈥� says Steyn. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e asking: under what conditions does a mine actually support local development? What makes responsible mining possible?鈥濃�� 

The CAMASA team is developing a framework called 'project ecology' to understand the enabling environments around mines, from regulatory regimes to environmental, social and governance factors and stakeholder engagement. This approach draws expertise from law, engineering, public policy, finance and gender studies.鈥� 

鈥淣atural resources are a test of institutions,鈥� Steyn says. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 understand what鈥檚 happening underground without looking at the legal and institutional systems above ground.鈥濃�� 

鈥�Team members 

• , PhD, Law鈥�
• Dr. Pouya Zangeneh, Endowed Chair in Engineering Project Management, Schulich School of Engineering
• , LLD, Law鈥�
• , MSS鈥�10, Arts鈥�
• Maddie Fleming, Arts
• Darissa Cama Hinojosa, Universidad Del Pacifico, Lima, Peru鈥�
• Dr. Abel Kinyondo, PhD, Dar es Salam University College of Education, Tanzania
• Gonzalo Delgado, Universidad Del Pacifico鈥�
• Justina Namukambo Masiye, University of Zambia鈥�
• Dr. Julio Esteban Colmenares Montanez, PhD, National University of Colombia鈥� 

Grant helps build capacity at home and abroad鈥� 

Since being awarded its Connector Grant last February, the CAMASA team has been able to deepen partnerships and prepare for multi-year research.鈥� 

This means expanding ties with stakeholders in six countries and strengthening cross-continental collaboration involving graduate students, including U荔枝视频 master鈥檚 student Laura Rivalta, who will serve as a key Spanish-speaking liaison.鈥� 

鈥淭his phase is about building capacity 鈥� on campus and internationally,鈥� says Steyn.鈥� 

Grant supports U荔枝视频鈥檚 transdisciplinary future鈥� 

Launched in 2023 by the and awarded by the , U荔枝视频鈥檚 Transdisciplinary Connector Grants are part of the university鈥檚 institutional commitment to research that transcends traditional academic boundaries.  

Designed to catalyze collaboration across faculties and disciplines, the program enables researchers to explore bold ideas that have the potential to grow into large-scale projects with national or international impact. 

about upcoming funding opportunities, and see a list of funded teams .鈥�