Abstract
This thesis explores the impact of Extractive Industries (EI) activities on Local Communities (LC), covering Land Acquisition (LA), exploration, and exploitation. This study examines how these industries impact LC in South Sudan, concentrating on LA, exploration, and exploitation pillars. A literature review examined the effects of extractive industrial activities on LC during LA and the exploration and exploitation phases. Extractive activities, including mining and oil and gas extraction, can have significant social, economic, and environmental effects on LC.While EI can contribute to economic growth and generate revenue, they are also linked to adverse outcomes such as displacement, loss of livelihoods, environmental degradation, and human rights violations. Literature indicates that the effects of EI activities on LC are intricate and context-dependent, producing both positive and negative outcomes. Weak institutions, cultural relevance to environmental norms, inadequate policies, and limited community engagement can intensify these adverse effects.
The literature review also underscores the importance of responsible resource management, effective governance, and equitable distribution of benefits and costs to mitigate the negative repercussions of EI activities on LC. Furthermore, the literature highlights the need for comprehensive impact assessment frameworks, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and context-specific approaches to address EI activities' diverse effects on LC and promote sustainable development.
This study adopts an explorative socio-legal research methodology and case study approach, utilising questionnaire surveys, interviews, and literature reviews to gather and analyse data on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of EIs on LCs. This research is grounded in Procedural Justice Theory (PJT), the Rule of Law, and a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). The findings confirmed that extractive industrial activities lead to disputes and conflicts, physical displacement, depletion of natural resources, disruption of agriculture, deforestation, habitat loss, water contamination, social disturbances, and health risks to LC (Figures 93, 97, 102, 104, 108, 125, and 130).
These results underscore the critical significance of land tenure for LC due to its cultural, social, political, and economic implications (Figures 142, 143, 144, and 145).
This thesis establishes and contributes both theoretically and methodologically to exploratory socio-legal research. Chapter 5 outlines the foundation of LA for the Procedural Justice Theory Conceptual Framework (PJTCF) for achieving sustainable development through community development agreements, social licenses, and policies to mitigate the adverse effects of extractive industrial activities on LC during LA, exploration, and exploitation.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Peter Cameron (Supervisor) & Stephen Dow (Supervisor) |