Using a qualitative approach, researchers consider how Malartic residents have experienced changes in their community resulting from the development of an open pit mine and the effects of these changes on quality of life and social dynamics. They also collected residents’ opinions about risk management, their perceptions about health risks and their hopes and outlook for the future.
The main findings of the study are as follows:
The arrival of the Canadian Malartic mine improved the quality of life for certain residents and revitalized the economy.
The announcement and subsequent development of the mine had psychological impacts leading to feelings of distress, anger, demotivation, resignation and loss of trust in authority.
The mine also had social impacts, including increased inequality between residents, conflict and community polarization.
Among the social impacts, the two most often mentioned by respondents were the relocation of over 200 buildings to…