Social impact assessment of mine closure: A study in Gümüşhane province

The mining sector plays a critical role in providing the raw materials necessary for the sustainability of modern life. However, this process not only contributes economically but also has multifaceted environmental and social impacts. In particular, the opening and closing phases of mine sites can have lasting effects on local communities. In this context, this study aims to analyze the social impacts of mine closures on the local population in Gümüşhane, a province where mining has been ongoing for many years and is likely to continue, using the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) approach. The recent closure of two out of three mine sites in the region has made these impacts more visible. As part of the research, stakeholders in the mining sector in Gümüşhane were first identified and grouped. Data obtained from face-to-face interviews with these stakeholders were then evaluated using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that mine closures lead to various social effects, such as unemployment, migration, and social unrest. Furthermore, it was determined that mine closure processes are not limited to economic losses but are also combined with environmental degradation, further deepening the social impacts. Insufficient involvement of local stakeholders in the decision-making mechanisms related to the process has resulted in the public not having enough information about the closure process; this situation has led to indifference and insensitivity towards the process at the community level. The results of the study reveal that processes for terminating mining activities should be planned in a way that takes social impacts into account in advance, and that the participation of the local population should be supported by institutional structures.