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Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to discuss the dynamics of resource politics in Africa and how transnational governance initiatives aimed at formalizing the artisanal mining sector play out on the local level. It will look at efforts to formalize and certify artisanal production in South Kivu, DR Congo.

Paper long abstract:

The "struggle for Africa's resources", conflicts about "scarce resources" and the "paradox of plenty" - a lot has been written about the impact of resource exploitation in Africa and elsewhere. The academic discussion on resource-related conflicts has invested comparatively little effort into determining what a resource is and what makes it valuable for society. On the other hand, geographical research has a long tradition of reflecting upon the relationship between humanity and nature. This paper will therefore bring in geographical contributions contending that such an effort helps to elucidate how transnational governance initiatives aimed at the resource sector play out on the local level.

First, the paper will critically examine major strands of research on resource-related conflicts (Collier and Hoeffler, Snyder, Le Billon) with regard to their concept of natural resources. Subsequently, it will build on research perspectives highlighting the socio-material nature of resources and "social practices" (Andreas Reckwitz, 2003) to come to an understanding of resources, which is able to account for the different values that different societal actors - local, national and international - attribute to them. From a conflict research perspective, one can then highlight the contentious processes of enacting resources and negotiating access to these.

The case of artisanal gold mining in DRC's South Kivu, and efforts to formalize and certify artisanal production will serve to highlight the different strategies of local, national and international societal actors relating to this mineral resource. The authors will draw on a desk study and field research undertaken in 2011 and 2012.