To what extent can two 'Modes' be found amongst non-state armed groups (NSAGs)? The Modes theory hypotheses that NSAGs are organized into two distinct Modes, either the 'Imagistic' or the 'Doctrinal' Mode, with each Mode characterised by a particular organisational structure and type of resource extraction. Previous preliminary research on this had three limitations: 1) it used a sample of only five groups; 2) "Galton's problem", i.e. non-independence of groups was not taken into account, and 3) the theory of resource extraction was underdeveloped. The present research overcomes each of these limitations. First, can the patterns found in the 5-group case study be replicated with a larger sample? A dataset with 50 NSAGs was constructed, with variables that were derived from the theory and resembling those used for the 5-group case study. Analysis results showed that a few 'Doctrinal' variables were significantly correlated and 'Doctrinal' rituals had a frequency distribution as predicted. Yet, most correlations between all Modes variables were not significant, and analyses did not convincingly show that there were two distinct Modes. Second, to what extent does "Galton's problem" (autocorrelation) play a role amongst NSAGs regarding their Modes properties? Data on relations between armed groups and their geographical locations were added to the sample. Using Moran's I, it appeared that two to four Modes properties were significantly autocorrelated. With geographical region as covariate, analyses were redone. Results remained basically the same as without regional covariate. Third, what is the relationship between Modes and the type of Resource extraction? Resource types were operationalized and Resource type data were added to the sample of NSAGs. A theory on Risk, and a ROI (Return on Investment) and Risk index were developed. Regressions showed no change in ROI or Risk over time. Low ROI did not typically predict Doctrinal-related Modes properties, and high-ROI did not typically predict Imagistic-related Modes properties. The significance of relations between Modes properties and Resource types strongly depended on whether the analysis was a correlation or a regression. Overall, only a few relationships were significant and no consistent pattern emerged. Limitations of the present research, and suggestions for further research are discussed, as well as an overall assessment of the Modes theory.

Over the last decades the struggle for indigenous rights has accomplished great achievements within international law. In relation to development projects and resource extraction on indigenous lands, the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) has gained increased recognition and is today expressed as an important instrument to realize indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination. Nevertheless, empirical evidence have identified power asymmetries as one of the major obstacles for effective and meaningful FPIC implementation. This study investigates how power asymmetries emerge and affect the right to self-determination through the four FPIC requirements. Based on field research and by applying a relational approach, the study investigates a case of mining activities in northwestern Argentina where indigenous communities currently experience an increased interest in lithium deposits on their lands from transnational corporations. The study shows how relations characterized by dependency and clientelism create a situation where actors hold unequal power positions which permeate all FPIC requirements severely undermining the principle’s potential to fulfill its purpose. Lastly, based on the findings the study argues substantial underpinnings in terms of necessary preconditions are needed if FPIC are to be able to ensure self-determination.

Moderne Sensorik, Modellierungs- und Optimierungsmethoden im Rohstoffgewinnungsprozess liefern Daten in “Echtzeit” und bieten Entscheidungsassistenz in der Betriebssteuerung und Kurzfristplanung. In den vergangenen Jahren wurden sogenannte „Closed- Loop-Ansätze“ entwickelt, um diese Informationen in Kombination mit moderner Datenverarbeitungstechnologie für eine verbesserte Produktionssteuerung in der Rohstoffgewinnung nutzbar zu machen. Der Beitrag stellt ein Projekt vor, das sich genau dieser Entwicklung widmet, das im Europäischen Rahmenprogramm Horizon 2020 geförderte Projekt Real-Time Mining. Der Fokus des Projektes liegt auf der Gewinnung bergbaugeologisch komplexer Lagerstätten unter Anwendung hoch-selektiver Gewinnungsszenarien. Der Aufbau des Projektes, das Projektziel, die einzelnen Arbeitspakete und Schlüsseltechnologien werden kurz dargestellt. An zwei ausgewählten Beispielen wird auf zwei Hauptkomponenten von Real-Time Mining, die Aktualisierung der Lagerstättenmodelle unter Einbeziehung von Online-Sensorik und die Optimierung der Entscheidungsfindung im Produktionsprozess näher eingegangen.

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Corporations in the resource extraction industry are frequently criticized and their operations opposed by local communities demanding more benefits, compensation for negative consecuences or oppose resource extraction altogether. Research has focused extensively on nonviolent and violent resistance campaigns that target state and quasi-state actors attempting regime change or self-determination. However, campaigns targeting corporations have received little attention so far. This thesis addresses this gap. I argue that nonviolent campaigns have a strategic advantage over violent campaigns in building leverage and forcing corporations to fulfill their demands because they are able to mobilize more numerous and diverse support and have a higher tactical diversity. I test the hypothesis that nonviolent campaigns are more likely to succeed in achieving their objectives and the expected causal mechanism in a qualitative comparative case study using the structured focused comparison method and aspects of process tracing. Applying a most- similar case selection, I select nonviolent and violent resistance campaigns targeting (multinational) corporations in Nigeria and Colombia. I find partial support for the hypothesis. However, limited data availability does not allow for a conclusive evaluation of the theorized causal mechanism. Findings indicate the value of studying resistance campaigns targeting corporations. In particular, future research should use a more fine-grained analysis of causal mechanisms linking the type and outcome of campaigns in this context. Additionally, applying large-n research designs allowing for greater generalizability of findings would be a valuable contribution in the future.

People's narratives, interpretations and understandings of the Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline and pipeline actors emphasise the uneven exercise of power through which structural violence is effected and experienced. The complexity of the processes of structural violence along with local socio-political context and peoples' dynamic understandings thereof play major roles in shaping resistance practices, in complex ways in Kribi and Nanga-Eboko. Working from these narratives, I offer a theoretical re-articulation of structural violence as (i) tangible through the body, (ii) historically compounded, (iii) spatially compressed and (iv) enacted in a globalised geopolitical nexus by actors who are spatially nested within a racialised and gendered hierarchy of scale. Drawing from critical interdisciplinary work on violence, my theory of a triad of divergent, often interrelated and co-existing, distinguishable indexes of structural violence includes: infra/structural violence, industrial structural violence and institutionalized structural violence. The particular processes and mechanisms of uneven power within structural violence, local socio-political contexts and the epistemologies through which power is conceived (in this case I consider epistemologies of la sorcellerie, or witchcraft) inform resistance practices; I illuminate key operations (within geographies characterised by high levels of infra/structural violence) within the spatial practices of power that influence the tendency for resistance struggles to be quiet, spontaneous and/or labour-based. I conclude with a discussion of the political and intellectual value of academic work on life and being amid structural violence, emphasising the need to move beyond the invisible/visible dichotomy that has often informed intellectual work on structural violence.

Moderne Sensorik, Modellierungs- und Optimierungsmethoden im Rohstoffgewinnungsprozess liefern Daten in “Echtzeit” und bieten Entscheidungsassistenz in der Betriebssteuerung und Kurzfristplanung. In den vergangenen Jahren wurden sogenannte „Closed- Loop-Ansätze“ entwickelt, um diese Informationen in Kombination mit moderner Datenverarbeitungstechnologie für eine verbesserte Produktionssteuerung in der Rohstoffgewinnung nutzbar zu machen. Der Beitrag stellt ein Projekt vor, das sich genau dieser Entwicklung widmet, das im Europäischen Rahmenprogramm Horizon 2020 geförderte Projekt Real-Time Mining. Der Fokus des Projektes liegt auf der Gewinnung bergbaugeologisch komplexer Lagerstätten unter Anwendung hoch-selektiver Gewinnungsszenarien. Der Aufbau des Projektes, das Projektziel, die einzelnen Arbeitspakete und Schlüsseltechnologien werden kurz dargestellt. An zwei ausgewählten Beispielen wird auf zwei Hauptkomponenten von Real-Time Mining, die Aktualisierung der Lagerstättenmodelle unter Einbeziehung von Online-Sensorik und die Optimierung der Entscheidungsfindung im Produktionsprozess näher eingegangen.

Det tolfte målet i FN:s Agenda 2030 handlar om hållbar konsumtion och produktion, som bland annat innefattar mål om en hållbar användning av naturresurser. En strategi som blivit allt mer populär för att effektivisera användandet av naturresurser är återvinning. Den främsta miljöfördelen med återvinning vilar på ett antagande om att det faktiskt ersätter behovet av att ta ut nya resurser från naturen. Syftet med detta kandidatexamensarbete är att ge en ökad kunskap om hur olika aktörer inom koppar- och pappersbranschen ser på återvinning och dess möjligheter att ersätta naturresursutvinning. För att undersöka detta har intervjuer hållits med både företag och myndigheter som verkar i eller har kunskap om respektive branscher. Resultatet visar på, enligt de tillfrågade, att en ersättning i dagsläget inte är möjlig. Vad detta beror på verkar dock skilja sig åt mellan de två olika fallen. Resultatet visar att aktörerna inom kopparbranschen menar att efterfrågan på koppar ökar mer än den koppar som finns tillgänglig för återvinning till följd av elektrifieringen. För papper är det dock en annan faktor som styr möjligheten för ersättning enligt de tillfrågade. Enligt de tillfrågade aktörerna krävs en viss inblandning av färskfiber kontinuerligt eftersom styrkan hos pappersfibrerna försämras vid varje återvinningsprocess. Aktörerna nämner att det finns förbättringsåtgärder, dessa syftar dock mer åt att förbättra återvinningen generellt och kanske inte nödvändigtvis bidrar till att öka ersättningen. / Responsible consumption and production is one of the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the UN in 2015. One of the targets concerns sustainable management and use of natural resources. One strategy that has gained more popularity throughout the years to handle this question is recycling. The prime environmental benefit is based on the assumption that recycling displaces the need to extract natural resources. The purpose of this study is to provide increased knowledge of the actors' perspective on the potential of recycling to displace natural resource extraction in the copper and paper industry. Interviews have been done with both companies and authorities. The results show that a complete displacement is not possible. However, the causes of this seem to differ between the two cases. The respondents of the copper industry mention that the increased demand of the metal which will occur as a consequence of the electrification process makes it difficult for a displacement. For paper, on the other hand, the quality loss the fibers suffer from at every recycling process requires continuous supply of raw fiber. However, the results also show a range of improvements that can be implemented to improve recycling in general, if those as well increase the displacement is not necessarily certain.

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No description available.