Affective Approaches: Rethinking Emotions in Resource Extraction

By using an affective analytical approach in understanding extractivism we have
demonstrated how emotions are always present, even when the opposite is
claimed. Affects and emotions emerge as essential social drivers within planning,advocating, modifying, or banning extractive projects. The analysis has shown how affects are used productively to evoke legitimacy and trust. We have shown how the orchestration of atmosphere and the disciplining of voices hindered a meaningful conversation with and integration of local citizens. Hence, such an analytical attention opens up the black boxes of the mining apparatus, in this case the part belonging to the consultation process.
This chapter focuses on the consultation processes in Narsaq, South West
Greenland in connection with Greenland Minerals’ mining project in Kuannersuit,
located approximately seven kilometers away from the town. According to the
Mineral Resources Act (Naalakkersuisut, 2009), the consultation meetings are
mandatory when the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the social
sustainability assessment (SSA) are made available for public consultation.