The country and the city: Mobility dynamics in mining regions

Mining projects contribute to – and are impacted by – changing patterns of spatial mobility amongst local populations. This paper explores these processes through a case study of the La Granja copper mining project in the Cajamarca region of Peru. Historically, when job opportunities declined many members of extended families moved to coastal cities or more productive lowland farming areas, with some, mainly older, members remaining to secure family land and properties. Conversely, there was an influx back to La Granja when opportunities improved. These two-way migratory patterns have created a fluid and dense network connecting individuals and families across a broader region, helping them to leverage economic benefits and retain control over strategic decisions. The paper relates these findings to wider debates about the nature of migratory processes in Peru and argues for greater attention to be paid to mobility dynamics when analyzing the social impacts of mining projects.