Living with the mine : A qualitative case study on legitimacy, participation and identity in Kaunisvaara, Sweden

This study explores how local residents in Kaunisvaara, northern Sweden, experience and respond to the development of a mining project in their community. Through a qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews, the research investigates four key areas: perceptions of legitimacy, experiences of inclusion or exclusion from decision-making, expressions of support or resistance, and the role of cultural identity and recognition. The findings show that while the mine is seen by some as an economic opportunity, some respondents also feel excluded from the process and unsure about the long-term impacts. Cultural identity and emotional connections to land play an important role in shaping how people view the project. The study uses theories of legitimacy, power, recognition justice, and social license to operate to better understand the complex and often ambivalent ways in which communities engage with resource extraction. It concludes that meaningful participation and cultural recognition are essential for socially sustainable mining development.