Copper Perspectives (COPPER): Mineral Regimes, Geodiversity, and Ethical Extractivism in the Arctic Anthropocene

Copper, an enduring symbol of innovation and progress, has played a pivotal role in shaping the Anthropocene for over 6000 years. As the global shift towards green energy intensifies in response to climate change, the demand for copper, a crucial component in renewable energy technologies, is expected to soar significantly. This transition has prompted increased copper production in Arctic countries such as Norway, Canada, and Russia, leading to concerns and protests from Indigenous communities affected by industrial extractive practices.
The COPPER project aims to investigate the socio-environmental and cultural impacts of green copper mining on Indigenous communities in the US, Canada, Russia, and Norway. Through a comparative study, the project further explores the complex histories and biographies of human-copper relations within Arctic Indigenous societies, where native copper has historically been intertwined with trade networks, leadership structures, health practices, and spirituality. By documenting and exploring the cultural significance of copper networking in five Indigenous societies, including the Sámi, Haida, Copper Inuit, Tutchone and Ahtna, the project sheds light on the multidimensional relationship between humans and minerals in the Arctic from Indigenous perspectives.
The project employs a community-based longitudinal approach to monitor socio-environmental changes in copper mining regions across the Arctic. By utilising a specialised app developed by the Indigenous Sentinels Network (ISN) and managed by the Tribal Government of St. Paul Island, Alaska, it evaluates the impact of contemporary green copper industrial production on Indigenous communities and environments. This approach integrates both Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western scientific methods. Long-term monitoring will provide evidence-based data on the effects of the green energy transition on Indigenous livelihoods and their mineral values, empowering communities to...