When Will the Waiting End? a case study on experienced effects of the possibility of a mining project in South Greenland M.J.A. van den Berg When Will the Waiting End? - a case study on experienced effects of the possibility of a mining project in South Greenland Master thesis for Sociology of Development and Change, submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in International Development Studies at Wageningen University, the Netherlands October 2017 Author Supervisor Maaike J.A. van den Berg Dr. E. Rasch 930313054060 Second reader Course code Dr. ir. G. van der Haar SDC-80733 ii Abstract All around the world, extractive projects come paired with problems originating from power imbalances: limited participation of local communities in the decision-making process, unequal access to information, and the consequences of extractive projects are often experienced locally and not by the multinational companies inflicting these. The aim of this research is to gain insight into the experiences of a community in Greenland, around the possible advent of a large-scale extractive project, and how this project already affects people’s lives today although it is not yet operationalized. Ethnographic research was conducted in Narsaq, a town of 1200 people, which faces outmigration and unemployment and has little other opportunities to turn the current demise of the town around. Taking into account Greenland’s transitional phase in between Danish colony and (possible) independent country, emphasis is placed by many on the extractive sector, which is expected to bring relief to the current situation of social problems, economic deficit, and dependence on Danish subsidies. A theoretical exploration is made of the concepts of place-belongingness and politics of belonging, and the experiences associated with waiting in liminality- without a clear end date-, to analyse the effect the extractive project has today. Waiting is often researched in other contexts, but not much around extractive projects and in Narsaq it turned out the 10 year waiting period around the project put a hold to development, investment and resulted in a feeling of being stuck. Both those opposing and supporting the project experience the waiting period around the mine as frustrating, and would prefer someone to make an end to the town’s state of limbo, independently from the fact whether the mine will become operational or not. These findings imply that effects experienced in the local context are already significant before extractive projects take off, and stress the need for continuous dialogue between mining companies, governments and communities to mitigate these negative effects. Key words Greenland, extractive industries, mine, belonging, waiting, liminality Cover photo There is still a lot of snow in the Greenlandic ‘spring’. A view of Narsaq’s main road, also showing half of the total number of cars in the town (27 April 2017, by author) iii Acknowledgements This thesis ends an important chapter in my life: finalizing my studies where after I go out to work in ‘the real world’. I enjoyed studying in Wageningen very much, and ethnographic research is a fitting concluding project to my master International Development Studies. Going to Greenland brought up many reactions with people around me: ‘is it always dark there?’ ‘why would you go there?’ ‘is it freezing and snowing all year round?’ And lastly, ‘where is it exactly?’ It is surprising how often Greenland is confused with Iceland… Doing research by myself, although relatively close to home in kilometers as the crow flies compared to other places where I have lived abroad, was challenging due to the remoteness of the town I lived in and the complete change of scenery compared to Utrecht. While on the one hand at times a challenge, on the other hand, this experience of living in Greenland has taught me much about my own strengths, about making friends everywhere around the world, and about the incredible landscapes and nature we have and should cherish on our planet earth. This thesis could not have been completed without the help and support of many different people all around the world. First of all, I would like to acknowledge all the people in Greenland who shared their time and stories with me and included me in their world for 2,5 months. Their stories shared shed a little light on what life looks like on the world’s largest island which is at the same time one of the most sparsely inhabited places in the world. Especially, I would like to mention Ivalu Rosing for her kind hospitality in Nuuk, and Monika Brune and Paul Cohen for (almost) adopting me in Narsaq. Their kindness, hospitality, knowledge, and support made this stay a very pleasant one. I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor Elisabet Rasch, for her encouraging support, constructive feedback, and the many interesting discussions (and laughs) we had over cappuccinos in Utrecht. A special thanks goes out to Nelline Boers and Milou de Bruijne, who went through the thesis ‘write-up’ phase at the same time, for their reassurances, the shared struggles and for making sure I was at the library on time in the morning. Last but definitely not least I would like to thank Matthijs, my friends, parents and the rest of my family for sticking with me after being abroad for 9 months this past year, and for always supporting me, whether in the Netherlands or somewhere else. Thank you all!! Qujanaq!! iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................................................... iii List of Photos & Figures ................................................................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Extractive projects and community involvement ..................................................................................................2 1.2 The Kvanefjeld extractive project ..........................................................................................................................2 1.3 Research aim ...............................................................................................................................................................4 1.4 Relevance ....................................................................................................................................................................5 1.5 Outline of the thesis ...................................................................................................................................................6 Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................................................................8 2.1 Belonging .....................................................................................................................................................................8 2.1.1 Dimensions of belonging .............................................................................................................................8 2.1.2 Politics of belonging.................................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Waiting ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 3. Methodology .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.1 Research Approach ................................................................................................................................................ 14 3.2 Data Gathering ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.1 Negotiating Access and Sampling ......................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2 Interviews .................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.3 Informal Conversations, Observation and Participation ................................................................... 18 3.2.4 Document analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3 Language .................................................................................................................................................................. 21 3.4 Reflections................................................................................................................................................................