The doctoral dissertation in the field of Environmental Policy will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies at Joensuu Campus and online.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
My dissertation offers a novel conceptualisation of 'small-scale mining' in European context, with particular emphasis on its societal dimensions and its relationship to emerging technologies. Situated within the social scientific mining research, the study investigates the social impacts of this evolving form of extractive activity, focusing on the prospects for public acceptance of small-scale mining initiatives across Europe. Central to the research is a critical rethinking of what constitutes "small-scale" mining, challenging conventional binaries between large-scale and small-scale artisanal operations. This study is especially timely, as the European Union seeks ways to strengthen its domestic mining to enhance resource security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
My research develops understanding of 'small-scale mining' as a distinct concept, offering its formal definition, key technological characteristics and potential social implications within the European context. Recognition of these distinctions is essential for more nuanced discussions about future of European mining, and “small-scale” in particular. The prevailing industry logic has long prioritised the exploitation of large-scale mineral reserves capable of sustaining operations over decades. However, such projects frequently entail significant environmental impacts and are commonly met with public resistance, particularly in densely populated regions. This research highlights that small-scale mining, with its more localised footprint and selective extraction methods, presents a distinct mode of mining operations and can be applicable to, for example, mining of rare earth minerals, which extraction volumes are inherently lower.
Drawing on four case studies from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the findings provided a picture of perceived social impacts that are associated with small-scale mining projects. They are discussed in the dissertation in relation to people’s expectations to employment, socio-economic benefits as well as their concerns about potential environmental risks. The dissertation also reveals that prevailing assumptions regarding project duration, mining contribution to local development tend to mirror general perceptions of mining rooted in large-scale mining models.
How can the results of your doctoral research be utilised in practice?
Today when European Union sets the goal to provide 10% of its annual demand for critical raw materials from domestic mining, the need to understand public attitudes towards mining becomes increasingly urgent. In 2025 alone, 47 strategic mining projects have been approved across the EU, yet public discourse about mining often relies on generalized perceptions, with only partial recognition of the diversity of European mining sites, mining regions and their socio-economic contexts. This dissertation particularly confirmed that perceptions of mining sometimes reflect outdated narratives embedded in memories of past industrial periods that date back more than 40 years. The study also offers novel information of how the notion of “scale” (small, medium or large) of mining is interpreted by local actors, offering perspectives that may inform both industry and policymakers.
Finally, research raises urgent questions about the role of technology, increasingly viewed as a solution to environmental challenges, and how it may, in turn, generate unforeseen social impacts for local communities. The findings highlight a pressing need for policy measures that address the information deficit surrounding mining innovations and promote greater transparency in how new mining projects are communicated to the public.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The study is based on four peer-reviewed articles that bring together three methodological solutions to tackle the research aim of the dissertation. First, I applied concept development approach to describe the existing state of knowledge about small-scale mining and operationalize it for the European context. Second study follows the exploratory research logic to build the research-oriented framework for studying social impacts of mining and provides detailed research steps for such studies. The third and fourth articles are empirical studies based on 56 interviews with local respondents in Bosnia and in Serbia. They were conducted during five fieldtrips to the Balkan region and offer empirically grounded perspectives on the impacts of four small-scale mining projects and the factors shaping these attitudes.
The doctoral dissertation of Olga Sydd, M.Soc.Sc., entitled Understanding the emerging concept of modern small-scale mining at the level of the relationship between society and technology: Case of small-scale mining development in Western Balkans will be examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. The opponent will be Professor Kamila Svobodova (Czech University of Life Sciences), and the custos will be Professor Rauno Sairinen, University of Eastern Finland. The language of the public defence is English.