Assessing the effects of mining activities on youth livelihoods in mining communities in Lesotho
| dc.contributor.author | Monyane, Neo | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Macheka, MT | |
| dc.date | ||
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-04T10:52:24Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-04T10:52:24Z | |
| dc.date.issued | ||
| dc.description | ||
| dc.description.abstract | The extraction of natural resources by global mining, has significantly impacts on livelihoods of people in the mining communities in Lesotho. Against the background, this study assesses the impact of mining companies on the livelihoods of youths in mining communities, drawing on experiences from Storm Mountain Diamond mine and the youth in the Kao community. The study adopted mixed method where structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. A total of 58 participants were engaged in the study. The study findings revealed that the youth around the Storm Mountain Diamond (SMD) mine engaged in farming, animal rearing, illegal mining and housework, which helped to improve their livelihoods before the establishment of the mine. The findings also revealed that after the establishment of the SMD mine, it contributed to skill development for youth, created employment opportunities for youth in the Kao community and promoted animal husbandry to improve the livelihoods of youths in the mining communities. However, the study revealed that the expansion of the SMD mine negatively affected youth farming and the operation of the SMD mine had harmful effects on youth farmers who reared animals. Additionally, the large-scale mining at SMD impacted previous illegal mining activities, which further harmed the livelihood of local youth. This study concludes that the presence of the Storm Mountain Diamond mine in the Kao community has had a positive impact on the livelihoods of youths, despite the challenges they still face due to the mine’s presence. The study therefore recommends that the comprehensive community development program be established to actively involve youth in decision-making processes related to mining activities | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | National Manpower Development Secretariat | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14155/2278 | |
| dc.publisher | National University of Lesotho | |
| dc.title | Assessing the effects of mining activities on youth livelihoods in mining communities in Lesotho | |
| dc.title.alternative | Experiences from Storm Mountain Diamond Mine and Butha-Buthe communities | |
| dc.type |