How marginalization shapes mineral mining impacts on local populations: A review of evidence and mechanisms

Mining activities often have profound social and environmental consequences, particularly for marginalized populations living near mining operations. This review used a systematic evidence-mapping approach and in-depth qualitative synthesis to assess outcomes and explore the mechanisms through which mining activities affect marginalized groups and their well-being. We screened >6600 relevant articles from Web of Science and Scopus and included 145 relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023. Most mapped evidence focused on the operational stage of mining, with both informal artisanal mines and formal industrial mines highly represented. The studies covered 26 minerals, with gold mining in Africa and Latin America dominating the evidence base. A key contribution of this review is the identification and cataloging of marginalized populations affected by mining and associated outcomes, revealing critical knowledge gaps and evidence clusters that warrant further analysis. A knowledge cluster of health and environmental impacts on children and women was selected for qualitative analysis and synthesis. Despite variation in mineral type, geography, and activity, our qualitative synthesis shows that a small set of underlying mechanisms – biological susceptibility, restricted resource access, and unequal power – consistently drive disproportionate impacts to health and well-being of women and children. Children were generally negatively affected (96%), while women experienced both negative (70%) and positive (30%) effects. These mechanisms align with environmental justice theory, highlighting structural vulnerability patterns Recognizing these pathways offers a unifying framework for future policy and highlights the importance of mechanism-focused interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of mining on the most vulnerable.