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Paper short abstract:

The paper describes the texture of a local controversy in Latin-America where meanings of responsible mining (RM) as an alternative of sustainable development (SD) are questioned. The analysis enable to understand problems, advantages and opportunities of the Responsible Mining.

Paper long abstract:

As a result of a two-year empirical research, this paper describes the texture of a local controversy in Latin-America where meanings of responsible mining (RM) as an alternative of sustainable development (SD) are questioned. This description is operationalized by an explanatory matrix which permits to understand the dispute around values of science, technology and innovation (STI), the predominant epistemologies of social relevant groups, notions of sustainability and responsibility, deliberation practices among other things; and how those elements serve to de/stabilize the meanings of RM. The analysis is based on the conceptualization of two senses for RM -a functional and a non-functional one. The functional sense of the RM as an alternative of SD is given by the promise of sustainable economic growth, the appearance that STI is neutrally applied, and the appropriation of technical narratives about mining technologies. On the other hand, the non-functional sense of RM as an alternative of SD, is given by the valuation of STI as a complementary knowledge, broad deliberative practices in the public arenas, the circulation of technical and political communication materials, and the promotion of mechanisms for citizen participation. In conclusion, it is possible to understand that the di/stabilization of dynamics of RM represents a social polarization ('pro-mining' and 'anti-mining' people), but it also enables some inclusive practices, low-environmental-impact technological developments which could be widely used in geological exploration activities; and new social, environmental and political engagements assumed by technologists and scientist.