Social Representations of the Mining Disaster in the Sonora River, Mexico

Abstract

The mining spill of August 6, 2014, in the Sonora River, Mexico, left an indelible mark on the region, revealing the profound environmental and social impacts of mining activity. To understand these consequences, this study aimed to identify the social representations and local narratives constructed around the disaster, examining the evolution of the perceptions of its inhabitants over time. The methodology analyzed the perceptions of 373 household heads, using descriptive and textual statistics. Subsequently, a simple correspondence analysis (SCA) enabled the identification of social representations at the regional and municipal levels, in relation to the initial impression of the spill, perceptions of mining, risk situations, and the current state of the community. The findings revealed that the social representation was characterized by a strong emotional charge and a deep concern about pollution and its repercussions on water, agriculture, and public health. Differences were also found among the affected municipalities, centered on the consequences of the spill or on negative emotions (such as fear, worry, anger, sadness). Considering the analysis, it is pertinent to reflect on the recovery after the disaster, which is far from being an objective or neutral process.