A new wave of investment in mining is taking place in the entire Arctic region. Whether a grab for energy resources promised by the blue depths of the Arctic Ocean, or mineral riches deep in the ground and ice, resource exploration and extraction of oil, gas, gold, diamonds, copper, uranium, and iron are in full force in the High North. This intensified development creates novel and unprecedented opportunities for many local communities, but it also poses new governance, environmental, social, and business management challenges, not least when it comes to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. It is of great relevance then that we ask questions about how these changes brought about by the spur to mine and extract natural resources can be better managed in order to ensure sustainable futures. Everyone can agree that effective resource extraction policies can greatly reduce adverse consequences to the global environment, to the sustainability of communities, and to potential harm to Arctic populations, indigenous and non-indigenous alike. But how do we agree on how these policies should be created and how they are to be implemented when big business, and national and international interests clash with local populations?

The Barents Institute’s 2014 Stoltenberg Conference takes place from 7-8 October and will attempt to address some of these pressing questions facing local communities and polities in the Arctic region.

We accept paper abstracts within the following themes:
  1. sustainable mining communities;
  2. mining and indigenous peoples;
  3. mining and regional development and/or urban development;
  4. resource extraction and work migrations;
  5. gender and extractive industries;
  6. mining and the environment;
  7. mining and governance regimes.
Proposed paper presentations should be empirical, methodological, and theoretical. Abstract proposals should include:
  • Author’s/Presenter’s name, affiliation, and contact information;
  • Title of the paper to be presented;
  • A proposed theme chosen from one of the above;
  • A maximum 200-word abstract accompanied by key words.
The deadline for abstract submissions is 19 June 2014. Presenters will be notified by 4 July 2014. Contact aileen.a.espiritu@uit.no