Research team rethinks mining through a global lens

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 University of Calgary researchers are tackling this complex question.  

The Canadian Mining in Africa and South America (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 Transdisciplinary Connector Grant, which awards up to $20,000, from UCalgary’s Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship and involves researchers from the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Arts and Schulich School of Engineering (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 Dr. Elizabeth Steyn, LLD, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Law, serve as CO-PI’s. Christopher Roberts, MSS’10, a professor with the Faculty of Arts and Dr. Zangeneh serve as coordinator’s 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 — and what responsible mining really looks like in practice  

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 Dr. Evaristus Oshionebo, PhD, full professor in the Faculty of Law, whose expertise further strengthens the project’s legal and international dimensions.  

“Canadian companies have long played a major role in global mineral exploration,” says Steyn. “But we’re asking: under what conditions does a mine actually support local development? What makes responsible mining possible?”  

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.  

“Natural resources are a test of institutions,” Steyn says. “You can’t understand what’s happening underground without looking at the legal and institutional systems above ground.”  

 Team members 

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

Grant helps build capacity at home and abroad  

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

This means expanding ties with stakeholders in six countries and strengthening cross-continental collaboration involving graduate students, including UCalgary master’s student Laura Rivalta, who will serve as a key Spanish-speaking liaison.  

“This phase is about building capacity — on campus and internationally,” says Steyn.  

Grant supports UCalgary’s transdisciplinary future  

Launched in 2023 by the Office of the Vice-President (Research) and awarded by the Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship, UCalgary’s Transdisciplinary Connector Grants are part of the university’s 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. 

Learn more about upcoming funding opportunities, and see a list of funded teams here.