Of Earth, For Earth.
Kathryn Moore
Modern society is riddled with disconnection and paradox. Disconnection embodied in the desire of consumers to acquire finished, packaged goods for a comfortable standard of living, distanced from the realities of raw materials production. Paradox in the perception of living working landscapes as rural idylls that embody nature, even where they are sculpted by human hands. Disconnection and paradox can be dangerous where they breed misunderstanding and mistrust, create barriers to communication, or create feelings of helplessness in the face of (climate) change. I don’t believe this is going too far. In my professional life, I strive to find ways to ensure supplies of the raw materials used to build the infrastructure for the transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy futures. I meet individuals committed to limiting global warming, who perceive that mining must be stopped. Yet we cannot achieve the green energy transition without mining. A new dialogue is needed. A dialogue that enables all voices and all concerns to be heard equally. This is a narrative of individuals, whose opinions are formed through their morals and life experience. Upbringing, education, community, livelihood, life-style and personal experience all shape our relationship with the Earth. We use raw materials of the Earth and create infrastructure for the technologies that can limit our impact on the Earth. We are ‘of Earth’ and ‘for Earth’.
I was asked at a public forum ‘How do we solve the problem of mining?’ I replied with another question ‘Is mining a problem?’ Confused faces looked at me blankly, not knowing how to respond. Of course some mining is a problem. When mining goes wrong, it can go spectacularly wrong. It can result in significant loss of life, create suffering on a scale akin to that of a natural disaster, and impact landscapes beyond natural recovery. Environmental scars exemplify the perceptions of some that extractivism inflicts bodily harm upon the Earth. I simply ask the question whether this devastating image is a true reflection of all mining operations. It is important to remember that miners inhabit their working landscapes. They are connected to one another in community and to their environment. I do not romanticise the relationship between miners and environment. In many respects, custodianship of the landscape is limited by economic and political paradigms. The protection of environment, miners and local communities comes at a cost that is in tension with the desire of end-use consumers to obtain the best value for money. Capitalism demands that industry must operate at a profit at every stage of the value chain from the extraction of raw materials to distribution of manufactured goods. If we recognise that the consumption patterns of society are the ultimate control on extraction of Earth materials, there is no ‘them’ responsible for mining. There is only ‘us’. We are ‘of Earth and ‘for Earth’.
We are all affected by mining, directly or indirectly. We are all stakeholders and we have a voice. We use that voice in different ways, in deciding on our consumption patterns, in deciding on our belief systems, in our voting and campaigning. We voice our concerns. But are our voices in conflict or conversation? Do we acknowledge that society is underpinned by materiality? Do we reminisce or regret past industrial endeavour? Do we rail against or applaud the capitalist, consumption-based present? Do we look forward to a future of technological solutions or one of limited access to resources? And how will our dialogues shape our material future? ‘Of Earth – For Earth’ is a collection of thought pieces from those close to the mining industry and those further from the mining industry; from academics in multiple disciplines, mining and social practitioners, artists and writers. We do not aim to disseminate information, but to listen to different perspectives and experiences, to find a way forwards through dialogue to a sustainable future based on the materials ‘Of Earth, For Earth’.
Of Earth For Earth (2020)
KATHRYN MOORE
Kathryn Moore gained degree qualifications in geology (BSc), experimental petrology (PhD) and archaeology (Dip) from the University of Edinburgh, University of Bristol and National University of Ireland, Galway. She led the Magmatic Studies Group at the National University of Ireland, Galway from 1999 and moved to the Camborne School of Mines in 2012, as lecturer in Critical and Green Technology Metals. She participates in and supervises research relating to alkaline rocks, carbonatites, ore deposits (particularly critical metals), and small-scale mining. Kate is the Project Lead for IMP@CT (Integrated Modular Plant and Containerised Tools for selective, low-impact mining of small, high-grade deposits).
k.moore@exeter.ac.uk