Engagement strategies in the context of the Itabira mine closure: impacts and stakeholder participation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465985153

Keywords:

Mining, Sustainable development, Stakeholder engagement, Mine closure

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to propose and apply a set of analytical categories for evaluating engagement in mine closure processes. Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research adopts a case study strategy considering the singularity of the phenomenon studied. The mine project analyzed is the country's first large-scale closure, scheduled for 2041, with the potential to influence future processes. Data collection involved observation, documentary analysis, and interviews. Sixteen interviews were conducted with representatives from the public power, community, organizations, and the company. The research strategy chosen was content analysis using the analytical categories raised in the literature review and triangulation of data collection sources. Findings: The results highlight the importance of the mining company's active role in constructing the city's post-mining future, collaborating to reconvert socio-economic dynamics, and fostering a trusting relationship with the community. However, the company remains distant from the debate. Interviews revealed a paternalistic relationship between the mining company that guides engagement in a predominantly unilateral flow, with communication directed to meet its interests. Originality/value: This research fills a gap in the existing literature by focusing on engagement in a vulnerable context. It contributes to the theoretical advancement of the main characteristics of engagement in mine closure processes and for dialogue practices with communities to favor sustainable territory development in the post-mining period.

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Author Biographies

Rodrigo Silva Barreto, Centro Universitário da FEI

Currently a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration at FEI University Center, focusing on Sustainability. I hold a master's degree in Business Economics and Finance from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (EGPE / FGV / RJ), a bachelor's degree in Economics from the Federal University of Viçosa, and another in Accounting from Uni. Cruzeiro do Sul. I have specializations in Teaching, Understanding-Based Education, Cities, and Territories. ACADEMIC INVOLVEMENT: Professor at the FEI University Center for Administration. Former professor at UNINOVE for Managerial Sciences at the University Center and at FAM for Management and Business. Member of the NDE (Core Teaching Staff) at FAM University Center and served as the coordinator of the Economics course throughout the course authorization process and the institution's accreditation with MEC (Americas International College - FAMG), under decree 278/2022. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Specialized in societal analysis and institutional behavior with professional experience in the Third Sector, working in Multinational companies and the Federal Government. Experience as a sustainability manager and in the strategic use of business relationships (Stakeholder Engagement). Skilled in identifying and managing socio-economic risks to strengthen ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance in large-scale enterprises, maximizing their positive impacts. Areas of expertise: Welfare Economics (social programs, inequality, income), Economic Growth and Development (total factor productivity, education), Regional Economics (migration effects, territorial planning), Business Economics (strategic and institutional planning), Tourism Economics, Third Sector, and Sustainability.

Jacques Demajorovic, Centro Universitário da FEI

Graduated in Economics from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (1986), holds a master's degree in Public Administration and Government from Fundação Getúlio Vargas - SP (1994), and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of São Paulo (2000). He was the coordinator and a senior professor at the Senac University Center. He also coordinated the Technology in Environmental Management courses (2001-2003) and the Bachelor's degree in Administration with a Specific Training Line in Environmental Management, as well as serving as a professor in the Master's in Integrated Management Systems at the Senac University Center (2003-2009). He is currently a professor in the Postgraduate Program in Administration at the FEI University Center, focusing on the Research Line in Sustainability. He has been working in the environmental field since 1990, developing projects in areas such as solid waste, eco-efficiency, planning, and environmental management. His research lines include projects on reverse logistics, education and innovation for sustainability, tourism and sustainability, and social license to operate and social impacts of mining. He is the author of the following books: "Society of Risk and Socio-Environmental Responsibility: Perspectives for Corporate Education," "Models and Tools for Environmental Management: Challenges and Perspectives for Organizations," "Selective Collection with Social Inclusion," and "Recycling Chain: A Look at the Collectors." In 2012, he won the Santander Award for Practices in Education for Sustainability for integrating sustainability into undergraduate courses in Administration. In 2014, he received the Santander Universities Research Grant for a postdoctoral position at the University of Alicante. He is a collaborating professor in the Environmental Sciences Program/IEE/USP, a collaborating professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Alicante, Spain, and was the scientific editor of the Journal of Social and Environmental Management - RGSA (2013-2019), which is ranked as A3 in the Qualis system. He currently coordinates two research groups at CNPQ, one dedicated to Reverse Logistics and the other to Social License to Operate in the mining sector. In 2016, his research project was approved in the Vale Call for Proposals to develop the research "Determining Factors of the License to Operate and Metric for Assessing the Level of Social Acceptance by Local Communities." In 2022, his project "Social License to Operate and Vulnerability: A Proposal for Integrating the Social Dimension in Mine Closure Processes for Post-Mining Transition" was approved in the Universal Call for Emerging Groups by CNPQ. In 2023, he was included in the World Top 100 Business Management/Business Administration Scientists in Brazil ranking.

Adriano Augusto França Pimenta, Centro Universitário da FEI

Ph.D. candidate in Sustainability in the field of Administration at FEI/SP since August 2020. PROSUC/CAPES scholarship holder since December 2020. Master's degree in Sustainability in the field of Administration at FEI/SP (completed in June 2020). Researcher in the CNPQ Research Group on Social License to Operate in mining since 2017. Scholarship holder for the FEI/Vale Project: Critical Factors of the Social License to Operate (August 2018 to June 2020). Technical Consultant for ITCP-FGV Incubator for Popular Cooperatives of Fundação Getúlio Vargas (May 2012 to December 2013). Bachelor's degree in Production Engineering from UFMG (December 2008). University Extension Scholarship for the Solidarity Economy Center of Production Engineering (January 2008 to June 2008). Speaker and Consultant in Sustainability. Over 13 years of professional experience in planning and implementing Sustainability, ESG, and Corporate Social Responsibility projects in collaboration with companies, private institutes, third-sector organizations, and government. Specialist in Environment, Social Impacts, and Selective Collection/Recycling. Social Projects Manager and Director of Social Impact at ISES - Institute of Solidarity Socio-Economics (January 2014 to October 2018). Sustainability Trainee in the Environmental area at Unilever Brazil (January 2009 to May 2012).

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Published

2024-10-07

How to Cite

Barreto, R. S., Demajorovic, J., & Pimenta, A. A. F. (2024). Engagement strategies in the context of the Itabira mine closure: impacts and stakeholder participation. Revista De Administração Da UFSM, 17(3), e8. https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465985153

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Vol. 17 No. 3 (2024): Jul-Sep

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