| Author | Sirisouk Inthavong |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.RD-15-03 |
| Subject(s) | Mineral industries--Laos--Social aspects
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| Note | A research submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Regional and Rural Development Planning |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | |
| Abstract | The research assessed the impact of the Sepon Gold and Copper Mining Factory (SGCMF) on rural households in Lao PDR. The objective of the research were to assess economic impacts of SGCMF to rural household s; to evaluate social and environmental impacts caused by the factory on rural households; to assess the perceived impacts of rural households from the factory and identify local problem and needs; and to give recommendations to increase benefits of local people from the factory in affected areas. The research was conducted on mining and non - mining households in two affected villages namely Boungkham and Nonsomboun in Vilabouly district, Savannakhet province of Lao PDR. Primary data was collected from 80 sampled households using a questionnaire survey, interview, key informants including and focus group discussion. The research study was focused on a quantitative approach with the support of qualitative statement for data analysis. Main findings of this re search showed that the SGCMF generated viable economic, social, and environmental impacts on both mining and non - mining households. Among those, the economic impacts were the most remarkable one due to the employment of local people by the factory led to occupational change and the increase of household income of mining household which is more significant as compared with non - mining households. Both of the study villages were supported by the factory on infrastructure improvement including road construction, electricity and water supply. The communication system was welled established in the area consisting of community radio, telephone line and internet network to have access to local and government news and contact with friends and relatives as well as social media. Mining households were employed by the factory in various positions leading them to have better income status and assets greater than non - mining households. Both mining and non - mining households obtained significant social aspects including accessibility to education and health services supported by the factory as well as various occupational training programs both in agriculture and non - agriculture. Local households obtained various types of benefits from social services supported by the company. Due to a good system in pollution control of the factory on noise, air, waste water and solid waste, local households from both categories were affected in small number only from air and waste water. Main problems and needs between two types of households were not much different. Main concerns of them were related to economic aspects including occupational training and development which was needed more from non - mining households to secure their livelihood as they did not have stable income as found from mining households. A set of recommendations were given to strengthen occupational development for local people, increase employment of local people to work in the factory, improve social services covering education and health, improving infrastructure and communication system and increase pollution control in affected villages |
| Year | 2015 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, Jayant Kumar;Ahmad,Mokbul Morshed |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015
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