Conference Agenda

The implementation of the green shift relies heavily on supply of minerals and metals, and with the current geopolitical instability the geographic distribution of mineral deposits, and the social, economic and environmental conditions under which mining operations are performed becomes a concern. The USA and Australia are significant producers of metals and minerals important for the green shift, yet China dominates the market with production significantly exceeding that of the US and Australia combined. Amidst this global scenario, Norway emerges as a notable player, ranking third in geopolitical safety among countries with identified metals and minerals important for the green shift. However, the widespread use of submarine tailings disposal (STD) has the recent years provoked public reactions, including demonstrations and civil disobedience, and so far this has stopped plans for the reopening of a mine producing copper. This paper investigates potential drivers for the resistance towards mining activities using STD. We show that while beliefs about negative environmental impacts is not an important driver, use of area, assessment of mining operations using STD per se, and policy orientation are crucial to explain preference heterogeneity. In contrast to our expectations, use of the mining area made people more positive to increased mining activities. This is mainly due to the fact that local inhabitants are both less sceptical to mining operations using STD and believe that environmental impacts are not very negative. In addition, they are also better informed about the mining plans. However, there is willingness to pay to reduce negative environmental mining impacts, also among locals. These results can be used by regulating authorities and politicians when considering new mining operations.