Fritz Brugger
Biographic Data
| ID | 5042817 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Fritz Brugger |
| GIVEN NAMES | Fritz |
| FAMILY NAME | Brugger |
| SIGNATURE | BRUGGER F |
| AFFILIATIONS | ETH Zurich |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1992-4492 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 25 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 19 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2002 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
From the desk to the field
‘Knowing how the machine works’
It is well established that social determinants influence people’s health and well-being. Yet, limited attention is given to the fact that social determinants are, in turn, the result of political determinants. The political struggle between different ideas, interests and power over public policies, that is, how societies shall function, results in formal and informal structures that work as a ‘sorting machine’: they determine how societies (re)d…
Global syndrome at the local level
Protective behaviour on artisanal gold mines
Knowledge about mercury and protection techniques against exposure are low;. • Higher knowledge of mercury is not correlated with higher personal risk perception;. • Higher risk perception is not correlated with higher protective behaviour. • Receiving personal protective equipment for free increases protective behaviour;. • Access to personal protective equipment was more important than risk perception or knowledge. Many artisanal miners use mer…
An exploratory methodological approach to enhancing public health policy in Ghana's mining operations
Industrial mining significantly contributes to the economies and public revenues of numerous low- and lower-middle-income nations, with its importance set to grow due to the increasing demand for critical minerals in the energy transition. Concurrently, the negative externalities associated with large-scale mining are set to escalate if not rigorously managed. Among these adverse impacts, the negative effects on public health have long been disre…
The state and the legalisation of illicit financial flows
Most research on illicit financial ows (IFFs) has focused on illicit out ows from low-income countries and the role of non-state actors in generating IFFs. Less attention has been paid to processes through which IFFs enter formal value chains -in e ect being legalised before leaving the countryor the crucial role of state institutions as gatekeepers. We develop a novel explanatory approach to account for the enabling role of state institutions in…
Using Q‐methodology for policy research and stakeholder engagement to strengthen public health in large‐scale mining in Mozambique
Mining projects can have adverse effects on public health, potentially impacting the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. While environmental impacts are typically addressed through mandatory environmental impact assessments, public health consequences often receive inadequate attention, despite being a major concern for affected communities. Policy instruments for mitigating these public health issues, including health impact assessment (HIA), r…
Unravelling the nexus of illicit gold trade, protection rackets, and political settlement dynamics
A significant share of gold from artisanal and small-scale mining is produced informally or illegally. Most of this gold is traded outside official channels, resulting in illicit financial flows that deprive governments of much-needed revenue, and some of these flows are also used to finance armed conflict and launder money from other illicit activities. We apply a political economy lens to the analysis of illicit gold markets to study their inte…
Exploring the Impact of Mining on Community Health and Health Service Delivery
Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in natural resources but also faces widespread poverty. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals brought increased attention to resource extraction projects, emphasizing their development potential in extraction regions. While mining companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments, their effect on the project-affected communities' health mostly lacks systematic management, and their considera…
Salafist violence and artisanal mining
Armed groups have expanded their presence in the Sahel over the last decade, including in areas with intensive artisanal gold mining. Our understanding of how their presence changes the governance of artisanal mining sites, how it differs from agriculture and pastoralism, and what miners' response is, however, is still limited. In this paper, we examine how Salafist expansion interacts with local socio-political dynamics and impacts agriculture a…
Do Social Investments by Mining Companies Harm Citizen-State Relations? Experimental Evidence from Burkina Faso
Do mining companies investing in public infrastructure in their host communities harm citizen-state relations? This study presents results from a survey-based field experiment conducted in two mining areas in Burkina Faso. We test whether informing respondents about investments undertaken by mining companies in domains considered classic government responsibilities affects citizens’ legitimating beliefs in their government and their likelihood of…
Doing ASGM without mercury is like trying to make omelets without eggs”. Understanding the persistence of mercury use among artisanal gold miners in Burkina Faso
Researchers and policymakers are concerned with the uncontrolled use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Despite the availability of alternative technologies, mercury is still the first choice to separate gold from ore on most ASGM sites. Taking the case of Burkina Faso, this mixed methods study contributes to understanding the continued use of mercury by analyzing the non-technical functions that mercury accomplishes. App…
CSR and local conflicts in African mining communities
Recent research finds that the opening of mines in Africa increases the risk of local protests and conflict. However, few empirical studies have analysed the effect of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) of mining companies on conflicts in extraction areas. This study investigates the relationship between CSR payments and conflicts in African mining communities using econometric techniques. We create and explore a large dataset on CSR payment…
I will sample until things get better – or until I die.” Potential and limits of citizen science to promote social accountability for environmental pollution
ISSN:0305-750X
Health impact assessment for promoting sustainable development
Health is central to sustainable development, and thus a cross-cutting issue of the SustainableDevelopment Goal (SDG) 2030 agenda. Natural resource extraction projects in Africa haveconsiderable potential to impact on health-related targets of the SDGs. This paper introducesthe rationale and organization of the HIA4SD Project; a 6-year research for development (r4d)project that aims to inform and facilitate a policy dialogue at the national and i…
In my village, everyone uses the tractor”
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has become part of the livelihood strategy for a large section of the rural population in Burkina Faso. In some areas of the country, two out of three households have at least one family member working at an artisanal or small-scale mine. Whether this leads to a de-agrarianization of the rural area or rather to a diversification of livelihood strategies is debated. Using a mixed research methods approa…
Defenders of the status quo
Over a third of international trade happens within, rather than between, corporations. This makes establishing transfer prices – the price of transactions within and between related corporations – pivotal, as it defines corporations’ tax bills. Tax authorities worldwide follow the OECD transfer pricing guidelines and its accompanying methods for taxing corporations. This despite the guidelines’ well-documented weaknesses and even though alternati…
Global and Local Policy Responses to the Resource Trap
This article examines the most significant international policy responses that seek to address the resource trap and spur development in resource-rich, but fragile states. It applies a regime theoretical framework to assess recent multistakeholder initiatives within the extractive sector by focusing on the processes through which they seek to alter the behavior of public and private organizations. Based on a review of the Nigerian and Azeri cases…
Toward Catchment Hydro-Solidarity
CSR and local conflicts in African mining communities
Recent research finds that the opening of mines in Africa increases the risk of local protests and conflict. However, few empirical studies have analysed the effect of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) of mining companies on conflicts in extraction areas. This study investigates the relationship between CSR payments and conflicts in African mining communities using econometric techniques. We create and explore a large dataset on CSR payment…
Salafist violence and artisanal mining
Armed groups have expanded their presence in the Sahel over the last decade, including in areas with intensive artisanal gold mining. Our understanding of how their presence changes the governance of artisanal mining sites, how it differs from agriculture and pastoralism, and what miners' response is, however, is still limited. In this paper, we examine how Salafist expansion interacts with local socio-political dynamics and impacts agriculture a…
Doing ASGM without mercury is like trying to make omelets without eggs”. Understanding the persistence of mercury use among artisanal gold miners in Burkina Faso
Researchers and policymakers are concerned with the uncontrolled use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Despite the availability of alternative technologies, mercury is still the first choice to separate gold from ore on most ASGM sites. Taking the case of Burkina Faso, this mixed methods study contributes to understanding the continued use of mercury by analyzing the non-technical functions that mercury accomplishes. App…
Defenders of the status quo
Over a third of international trade happens within, rather than between, corporations. This makes establishing transfer prices – the price of transactions within and between related corporations – pivotal, as it defines corporations’ tax bills. Tax authorities worldwide follow the OECD transfer pricing guidelines and its accompanying methods for taxing corporations. This despite the guidelines’ well-documented weaknesses and even though alternati…
In my village, everyone uses the tractor”
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has become part of the livelihood strategy for a large section of the rural population in Burkina Faso. In some areas of the country, two out of three households have at least one family member working at an artisanal or small-scale mine. Whether this leads to a de-agrarianization of the rural area or rather to a diversification of livelihood strategies is debated. Using a mixed research methods approa…
Global and Local Policy Responses to the Resource Trap
This article examines the most significant international policy responses that seek to address the resource trap and spur development in resource-rich, but fragile states. It applies a regime theoretical framework to assess recent multistakeholder initiatives within the extractive sector by focusing on the processes through which they seek to alter the behavior of public and private organizations. Based on a review of the Nigerian and Azeri cases…
The state and the legalisation of illicit financial flows
Most research on illicit financial ows (IFFs) has focused on illicit out ows from low-income countries and the role of non-state actors in generating IFFs. Less attention has been paid to processes through which IFFs enter formal value chains -in e ect being legalised before leaving the countryor the crucial role of state institutions as gatekeepers. We develop a novel explanatory approach to account for the enabling role of state institutions in…
Using Q‐methodology for policy research and stakeholder engagement to strengthen public health in large‐scale mining in Mozambique
Mining projects can have adverse effects on public health, potentially impacting the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. While environmental impacts are typically addressed through mandatory environmental impact assessments, public health consequences often receive inadequate attention, despite being a major concern for affected communities. Policy instruments for mitigating these public health issues, including health impact assessment (HIA), r…
Unravelling the nexus of illicit gold trade, protection rackets, and political settlement dynamics
A significant share of gold from artisanal and small-scale mining is produced informally or illegally. Most of this gold is traded outside official channels, resulting in illicit financial flows that deprive governments of much-needed revenue, and some of these flows are also used to finance armed conflict and launder money from other illicit activities. We apply a political economy lens to the analysis of illicit gold markets to study their inte…
Toward Catchment Hydro-Solidarity
Global and Local Policy Responses to the Resource Trap
This article examines the most significant international policy responses that seek to address the resource trap and spur development in resource-rich, but fragile states. It applies a regime theoretical framework to assess recent multistakeholder initiatives within the extractive sector by focusing on the processes through which they seek to alter the behavior of public and private organizations. Based on a review of the Nigerian and Azeri cases…
Health impact assessment for promoting sustainable development
Health is central to sustainable development, and thus a cross-cutting issue of the SustainableDevelopment Goal (SDG) 2030 agenda. Natural resource extraction projects in Africa haveconsiderable potential to impact on health-related targets of the SDGs. This paper introducesthe rationale and organization of the HIA4SD Project; a 6-year research for development (r4d)project that aims to inform and facilitate a policy dialogue at the national and i…
In my village, everyone uses the tractor”
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has become part of the livelihood strategy for a large section of the rural population in Burkina Faso. In some areas of the country, two out of three households have at least one family member working at an artisanal or small-scale mine. Whether this leads to a de-agrarianization of the rural area or rather to a diversification of livelihood strategies is debated. Using a mixed research methods approa…
Defenders of the status quo
Over a third of international trade happens within, rather than between, corporations. This makes establishing transfer prices – the price of transactions within and between related corporations – pivotal, as it defines corporations’ tax bills. Tax authorities worldwide follow the OECD transfer pricing guidelines and its accompanying methods for taxing corporations. This despite the guidelines’ well-documented weaknesses and even though alternati…
Do Social Investments by Mining Companies Harm Citizen-State Relations? Experimental Evidence from Burkina Faso
Do mining companies investing in public infrastructure in their host communities harm citizen-state relations? This study presents results from a survey-based field experiment conducted in two mining areas in Burkina Faso. We test whether informing respondents about investments undertaken by mining companies in domains considered classic government responsibilities affects citizens’ legitimating beliefs in their government and their likelihood of…
Doing ASGM without mercury is like trying to make omelets without eggs”. Understanding the persistence of mercury use among artisanal gold miners in Burkina Faso
Researchers and policymakers are concerned with the uncontrolled use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Despite the availability of alternative technologies, mercury is still the first choice to separate gold from ore on most ASGM sites. Taking the case of Burkina Faso, this mixed methods study contributes to understanding the continued use of mercury by analyzing the non-technical functions that mercury accomplishes. App…
CSR and local conflicts in African mining communities
Recent research finds that the opening of mines in Africa increases the risk of local protests and conflict. However, few empirical studies have analysed the effect of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR) of mining companies on conflicts in extraction areas. This study investigates the relationship between CSR payments and conflicts in African mining communities using econometric techniques. We create and explore a large dataset on CSR payment…
I will sample until things get better – or until I die.” Potential and limits of citizen science to promote social accountability for environmental pollution
ISSN:0305-750X
Exploring the Impact of Mining on Community Health and Health Service Delivery
Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in natural resources but also faces widespread poverty. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals brought increased attention to resource extraction projects, emphasizing their development potential in extraction regions. While mining companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments, their effect on the project-affected communities' health mostly lacks systematic management, and their considera…
Salafist violence and artisanal mining
Armed groups have expanded their presence in the Sahel over the last decade, including in areas with intensive artisanal gold mining. Our understanding of how their presence changes the governance of artisanal mining sites, how it differs from agriculture and pastoralism, and what miners' response is, however, is still limited. In this paper, we examine how Salafist expansion interacts with local socio-political dynamics and impacts agriculture a…
The state and the legalisation of illicit financial flows
Most research on illicit financial ows (IFFs) has focused on illicit out ows from low-income countries and the role of non-state actors in generating IFFs. Less attention has been paid to processes through which IFFs enter formal value chains -in e ect being legalised before leaving the countryor the crucial role of state institutions as gatekeepers. We develop a novel explanatory approach to account for the enabling role of state institutions in…
Using Q‐methodology for policy research and stakeholder engagement to strengthen public health in large‐scale mining in Mozambique
Mining projects can have adverse effects on public health, potentially impacting the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. While environmental impacts are typically addressed through mandatory environmental impact assessments, public health consequences often receive inadequate attention, despite being a major concern for affected communities. Policy instruments for mitigating these public health issues, including health impact assessment (HIA), r…
Unravelling the nexus of illicit gold trade, protection rackets, and political settlement dynamics
A significant share of gold from artisanal and small-scale mining is produced informally or illegally. Most of this gold is traded outside official channels, resulting in illicit financial flows that deprive governments of much-needed revenue, and some of these flows are also used to finance armed conflict and launder money from other illicit activities. We apply a political economy lens to the analysis of illicit gold markets to study their inte…
‘Knowing how the machine works’
It is well established that social determinants influence people’s health and well-being. Yet, limited attention is given to the fact that social determinants are, in turn, the result of political determinants. The political struggle between different ideas, interests and power over public policies, that is, how societies shall function, results in formal and informal structures that work as a ‘sorting machine’: they determine how societies (re)d…
Global syndrome at the local level
Protective behaviour on artisanal gold mines
Knowledge about mercury and protection techniques against exposure are low;. • Higher knowledge of mercury is not correlated with higher personal risk perception;. • Higher risk perception is not correlated with higher protective behaviour. • Receiving personal protective equipment for free increases protective behaviour;. • Access to personal protective equipment was more important than risk perception or knowledge. Many artisanal miners use mer…
An exploratory methodological approach to enhancing public health policy in Ghana's mining operations
Industrial mining significantly contributes to the economies and public revenues of numerous low- and lower-middle-income nations, with its importance set to grow due to the increasing demand for critical minerals in the energy transition. Concurrently, the negative externalities associated with large-scale mining are set to escalate if not rigorously managed. Among these adverse impacts, the negative effects on public health have long been disre…
From the desk to the field
Political science (15 works) · Business (14 works) · Mining and Resource Management (14 works) · Law (10 works) · Economics (9 works) · Politics (9 works) · Law (8 works) · Natural Resources and Economic Development (7 works) · Geography (6 works) · Public relations (6 works)