Ecologisation, territorialisation and participation: A mining narrative in times of ecological crisis

• Published in: The extractive industries and society 2022-12, Vol.12, p.101143, Article 101143
• Main Authors: Le Berre, Sylvain, Reys, Aurélien, Gunzburger, Yann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communication; Ecologisation; French mining; Humanities and Social Sciences; Participation; Political science; Territorialisation
• ISSN: 2214-790X; 2214-7918
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exis.2022.101143

•The ecological transition's agenda appears as a political constraint for new mining projects in France.•Three mining narratives arise from this agenda: a narrative of ecologisation; a narrative of territorialisation; a narrative of participation.•This discursive and strategic renewal can be identified in the strategic framing and narrative of a new junior company operating on the French territory.•This narrative and strategic renewal is at the crossroads between a new consideration of the territory and a mere communication strategy. Companies wishing to invest in the French underground market today must consider several orders of change compared to the 1990–2000 period, ranging from the ecological transition agenda, to the failure of the national “mining renewal” policy, the rise of the local scale in natural resources governance, to the growing critique of mining practices. What influence does this new configuration have on the territorial strategy and narrative of mining companies in mainland France? This research is based on a case study: an exploration project of gaseous resources (helium, carbon dioxide and related gases) conducted in France by a junior mining company. In order to promote local acceptance of its future activities, the company puts forward a “green” communication raising the question of a more integrated relationship between industry, territory and environment. Does it translate a new consideration to “the territory” or is it a mere communication strategy, or both?