Sociology 2: Report on Identity, Cultural Anthropology, and Mining

This report delves into the complexities of cultural anthropology and identity construction, examining various theories and their practical applications through case studies. It begins by defining identity from different perspectives, including those of Clifford Geertz and John Nagle, and then applies these theories to real-world scenarios. The primary focus is on the impact of the mining industry on indigenous communities in Australia, Chile, and Papua New Guinea. The report analyzes how mining projects, such as Adani Enterprises' Carmichael mine, threaten indigenous identities, land ownership, and cultural connections. It highlights the conflicts between mining interests and indigenous rights, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural differences and the role of colonial history. The report also references research on the environmental damage caused by mining and the resistance movements that have emerged to protect indigenous cultures and lands. The analysis underscores the need for a critical assessment of the political, epistemological, and social impacts of scholarly and cultural difference assessments. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of indigenous experiences and perspectives in addressing these complex issues.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Cultural Anthropology
Identity is defined as a person’s name, the characteristics he has acquired from birth, his
race, the way the person thinks about himself and what the person identifies own self with along
with the an outsider’s or the world’s perception about the said person. The traditional
characteristics of a person are also a person’s identity. A person’s gender and his own
identification of the gender is also his identity. Ethnicities are also identifies of a person as well
as if the person is immigrant, then it also adds to the list of identities. His abilities are identities
that are acquired as the person goes on with life and learns skills from experiences or trainings.
According to theories of constructing identity, anthropologist Clifford Gleertz suggests
that identity is something a person is born with, such as her family name, race or tribe. Using this
theory in the case study of Australia with indigenous tribes and mining, the people who are born
in the tribe are given the identity of the tribe and the title of indigeneity (Steffen et al., 2017).
The cultural difference of the tribe is perceived as adequate instead of disruptive to the mining
industry. There has been a movement against the authoritative claims over the indigenous and
their actions in the industry. On the other hand, John Nagle states that a person may be born with
whichever family name or born whichever family background, they form their own identity. This
theory is applicable to the case study as well. The people are being extracted by the mining
industry and they might be pressured into accepting the usual disciplines to gap the cultural
difference. Situations occur when indigenous people are disappointed in their embrace of
environmentally damaging sectors such as mining.
Researchers should be worried about highlighting the role of the colonial past and call for
just a critical analysis of the political, epistemological and social impact of scholarly and cultural
differences assessments (Chong, 2017). MNC firm Adani Enterprises have recently been granted

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approval for Carmichael mining projects in Australia. In addition, last week's Australia High
Court issued' the largest native title decision influencing Aboriginal ownership of land in
decades.' The decision recognizes two legally compensated land losses— the financial loss and
the' loss of a spiritual connection to soil' — the latter being a key principle of indigenous culture
and a major element of indigenous anti-colonial opposition (Price, 2017). The tribal people are
the traditional owners of these lands and the water and as per their claims; the industry is
destroying their cultures. Using the theories of identity construction, their identities, ownership
and connection to the soil is by birth. By this means, their identities are being threatened. The
Adani group cannot move ahead without their consent. For instance, it stands in sharp
comparison with Chile and Brazil, where both the lack of recognition and the scheduled
withdrawal of recognition will continue to restrict legal alternatives for indigenous populations,
with flow-on impacts on the environment. For instance, Chile's indigenous Diaguita groups in
the Huasco Valley resulted in demonstrations against the Pascua-Lama mine of Canadian mining
business Barrick Gold, which threatened property loss and sustained as a consequence of the
destruction of the environment (Trends & Artisanal, 2018). Glacier protection became a priority
after the company put forth a proposal in 2006 to shift ice from nearby glaciers in order to
facilitate the mining of gold and silver.
These are far from simple problems, but for those whose driving interest is the common
world that we life forms are jointly creating, they are also not deadly. Experiences and methods
of importance are exciting because they come from indigenous peoples and can be learned from
them. Rather, such ontologies and their respective perceptions and practices are essential because
they' may have impacts, appropriate to being natural in the Anthropocene.

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References
Chong, J.Z.P., 2017. The Effect of the Introduction of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund in
Western Australia-An Empirical Analysis (Doctoral dissertation, Murdoch University).
Price, S., 2017. Openings for the left in Australia today. Green Left Weekly, (1146), p.5.
Steffen, W., Bambrick, H., Alexander, D. and Rice, M., 2017. Risky Business: Health,
Climate and Economic Risks of the Carmichael Coalmine.
Trends, G. and Artisanal, I., 2018. Local Content Policies in the Mining Sector.