| Mongolia's transition towards a free-market economy brought numerous environmental, economic, political, social and cultural changes. When a series of harsh winter storms occurred between 1999-2003, the livelihoods of herders were devastated. At the same time, major mineral exploration was taking place, and significant reserves of valuable minerals were discovered. With herds decimated, many of Mongolia's vulnerable and poor turned towards informal mining as a source of livelihood. Using a critical theory lens, this study explores the community level human security concerns resulting from the emerging mineral industry. The study found that if the informal miners, Mongolian government, formal companies, and civil society fail to address emerging problems early, as is the present reality, problems ranging from increased alcohol abuse, to rising economic and social inequality, will destabilize not only mining communities, but, a wide range of actors reaching from the community to the international level. |
