Data Collection in Laos: The Epilogue of this Trip

We finally reach the end of our fieldwork in Laos. Our last day of the interview started with three personal interviews with three women from different villages and used to work in the mining industry. It was very interesting for me to interviewed a woman who just resigned from the company and support her partner to work overseas. The gender impacts are quite prominent from her story, due to issues on gender roles, expectations and equity issues. One interesting point raised by her is the future of her town after the end of mining MNC in Laos. It sounds like a common fear among community members. We heard the same issue from our focus group interview with six people from the village. Apart from generic comments on socio-economic and environmental impacts, the future of this town remains unclear among the members of this community.

                                                Our Conversation on Mining and Gender

One important point that we learn from today's interviews with Laos women in this community is the meaning of mining industry to the community. Apart from economic gains (as publicly known in many cases), mining industry can also promote equity by means of education, training and social status. Most women who work in the industry agreed that they feel comfortable about themselves. They are proud to be able to generate income and being able to associate with mining MNC. When they work in this industry, it also promotes they status in the family and community.

                                          Miners are the key clients of SMEs in Vilabouly

Before we left Vilabouly, our research visited the office of the Vilabouly's Chief to farewell and thank him for his support throughout the time we spent at Vilabouly. We shared with him our reflections from the field and our connections with the community. He also thanked us for our interests in his town and he really hopes that findings from this project will influence actions from stakeholders in international mining industry.

                                                          Office of Vilabouly District

We left Vilabouly with a number of different feelings. To me, as a researcher, I have learnt new experiences on community issues and how mega-million international business influence various issues in the community. I also learnt practices and protocal of research in Laos. It truly is one of the most exciting learning experiences for me. I worked and traveled with great team members from the National University of Laos, Nossal Institute for Global Health, Burnet Institute and had a great opportunity to connect with many interesting people from the community.

                                                               Vilabouly from the Top

I strongly suggest researchers in my area to think about the impacts of mining industry on development. We have learnt a number of interesting lessons from countries such as South Africa, Australia, Chile, Laos, Vietnam etc. We seem to struggle to find the best ways to promote long-term development for the community in the host countries. We really hope that the next step of this project will also be meaningful for stakeholders, particularly the local community, in this study.

                                                                    Local Market

                                                               
                                 

                                                             Vilabouly Cultural Hall