Objective: Mining is a critical environmental resource, with its primary and most significant impacts being economic. Subsequent effects arise later and are dependent on proper consideration and evaluation. When managed effectively, mining can contribute to the formation of value-added chains in other economic sectors and lay the foundation for achieving sustainable development goals. This research aims to examine the effects of mining exploitation on the economic indicators and population stability of rural areas in Boghdakandi district.
Methods: The research is applied in nature, employing a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data collection utilized library and field methods, including: Observation (general and individual), Interviews (structured) and Questionnaires (closed and Likert scale). The questionnaire's face validity was assessed by experts, and its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.802. The study’s statistical population comprised the households of Boghdakandi district, which, according to the 2015 census, included 2,227 households. Using Cochran's formula, the required sample size was calculated as 314 households. Data analysis involved both descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution, and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (One-sample T-test, Pearson Correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis test).
Results: The research findings reveal a significant relationship between mining exploitation and the economic indicators of the studied villages. Key results include:
- Economic Indicators: Employment Index: Mean = 3.229; Income Index: Mean = 3.132; Natural Resources: Mean = 3.393; and Welfare: Mean = 3.431.
These values indicate a moderate impact of mining on economic indicators.
- Population Stability: Population Stability Index: Mean = -2.763 and Capital Index: Mean = -2.742.
These indices are below average, suggesting that mining has had adverse effects on population stability.
Statistical yearbooks (2006–2016) highlight a declining population trend in all studied villages, except Saeed Kandi, which experienced a growth rate of 0.9%.
Conclusion: The study concludes that while mining exploitation in Boghdakandi district has moderately improved certain economic indicators (employment, income, natural resources, and welfare), it has had negative impacts on population stability and capital levels. The population decline observed across most villages underscores the inability of mining activities to positively influence long-term population stability. This suggests that while mining can contribute to economic growth in the short term, its sustainability requires more strategic management to balance economic benefits with social and demographic stability.
