The Social Impact of Mining on Children: A Case Study in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia

Abstract

Abstract Mongolia is considered the most mining-dependent country in Asia. Sandwiched between China and Russia, mining plays a central role in Mongolia’s economy and development strategies. While the country enforces environmental impact assessment law, the absence of a law for social impact assessment in large-scale projects leaves critical gaps in understanding the effects of mining on vulnerable populations, particularly children. The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is rich in minerals such as coal, gold, and copper, yet highly vulnerable to desertification and climate change, and hosts most of the country’s major mining operations. This case study, situated in the Gobi Desert, examines the social impacts of mining on children in two distinct populations: mining employees working under fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) arrangements, and nomadic herders residing in mining host communities. Employing a mixed methods approach consisting of survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, this research aims to unpack the lived experiences of these communities and address regulatory and policy gaps. The study is guided by two objectives: (1) to understand the social context and identify the social impacts of mining on the target populations, and (2) to explain these impacts by analyzing the underlying factors that shape them. The findings indicate that the types of social impacts experienced by children of mining employees and those of nomadic herders are distinct, shaped by differing contextual factors. For children of mining employees, impacts are primarily influenced by income and parental absenteeism: the former enables higher wages and access to better education, while the latter leads to challenges such as disrupted parental involvement and communication breakdowns. In contrast, for children of nomadic herders, key shaping factors include: (1) Corporate Social Responsibility - through local consultations, infrastructure development, and support for social services; (2) environmental conditions - manifested in air pollution and groundwater depletion; (3) migration - characterized by population influx, economic stimulation, and increased child safety concerns; and (4) lifestyle - particularly the threats of displacement and restrictions on the traditional mobility of nomadic herders. These findings contribute to the academic literature on mining and social sustainability while offering practical recommendations for policymakers, highlighting the often overlooked voices of vulnerable communities, such as affected children and families.