In the past decades, a series of large-scale resource exploitations and engineering constructions have delivered a rapid economic growth in China. However, a number of researchers (Price 2016; Tang, Wong & Lau 2008) points out that these projects also have led to increasing public protests and social conflicts in China. As a possible way to tackle these issues, environmental and social impact assessment has attracted much attention from Chinese scholars and authority, and it also has become a formal requirement for certain kinds of projects in China. Based on the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for Huainan Mining Area Rehabilitation Project, this paper intends to conduct a critical analysis on how well the SIA has been done. In order to address
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Vanclay et al. (2015) suggest that a good SIA should collect baseline data that includes all social issues in the pre-impacted area, which could be used as a reference for the project. This SIA conducts a comprehensive survey and literature review to analyze environmental baseline conditions within the pre-impacted area, and identifies a number of environmental aspects which requires special attention. These concerns include geo-hazard risk, surface water and ground water quality, soil quality, sediment quality, and waste piles (World Bank 2014). Each environmental concern was deep analyzed and the data was used to measure environmental impacts. In terms of socioeconomic conditions, the SIA provides a detailed description about the demographic situation and the socioeconomic development level in Huainan mining areas. A number of social issues are identified, for example, illiteracy and the gap between the rich and the poor (World Bank 2014). The local history also mentioned to provide an understanding on current social concerns.
Vulnerable groups are identified and discussed in the SIA. Vanclay and Esteves (2011) argue that the SIA should emphasize social equality and pay a special attention to vulnerable groups. The disabled, the unemployed and people living under poverty line are regarded as vulnerable groups of the project (World Bank 2014). The SIA describes their characteristics, their living conditions and what problems they suffer. Relevant social policies are also mentioned as a reference for further mitigation
Vanclay et al. (2015) suggest that a good SIA should collect baseline data that includes all social issues in the pre-impacted area, which could be used as a reference for the project. This SIA conducts a comprehensive survey and literature review to analyze environmental baseline conditions within the pre-impacted area, and identifies a number of environmental aspects which requires special attention. These concerns include geo-hazard risk, surface water and ground water quality, soil quality, sediment quality, and waste piles (World Bank 2014). Each environmental concern was deep analyzed and the data was used to measure environmental impacts. In terms of socioeconomic conditions, the SIA provides a detailed description about the demographic situation and the socioeconomic development level in Huainan mining areas. A number of social issues are identified, for example, illiteracy and the gap between the rich and the poor (World Bank 2014). The local history also mentioned to provide an understanding on current social concerns.
Vulnerable groups are identified and discussed in the SIA. Vanclay and Esteves (2011) argue that the SIA should emphasize social equality and pay a special attention to vulnerable groups. The disabled, the unemployed and people living under poverty line are regarded as vulnerable groups of the project (World Bank 2014). The SIA describes their characteristics, their living conditions and what problems they suffer. Relevant social policies are also mentioned as a reference for further mitigation