Unearthing narratives

An Ethnographic Lens on the Organizational Tapestry of Massive Iron Ore Mining Operations

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2247124
AutoresSonali Khatua (0009-0008-2302-2479, autor correspondente), Manoranjan Dash (0000-0003-3510-3299), Padma Charan Mishra (0000-0003-1298-0176)
Ano2024
Volume13
Fascículo1
Páginas116-134
Data de publicação2024-06-28
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Organizational Ethnography (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2046-6749 • E-ISSN: 2046-6757
EditoraEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/joe-12-2023-0070
OpenAlexW4394818830
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas50

PurposeOres and minerals are extracted from the earth's crust depending on the type of deposit. Iron ore mines come under massive deposit patterns and have their own mine development and life cycles. This study aims to depict the development and life cycle of large open-pit iron ore mines and the intertwined organizational design of the departments/sections operated within the industry.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected on the site by participant observation, in-depth interviews of the field staff and executives, and field notes. Secondary data were collected from the literature review to compare and cite similar or previous studies on each mining activity. Finally, interactions were conducted with academic experts and top field executives to validate the findings. An organizational ethnography methodology was employed to study and analyse four large-scale iron ore mines of India's largest iron-producing state, Odisha, from January to April 2023.FindingsSix stages were observed for development and life cycle, and the operations have been depicted in a schematic diagram for ease of understanding. The intertwined functioning of organizational set-up is also discovered.Originality/valueThe paper will benefit entrepreneurs, mining and geology students, new recruits, and professionals in allied services linked to large iron ore mines. It offers valuable insights for knowledge enhancement, operational manual preparation and further research endeavours

Archaeology · Ethnography · Geography · Iron ore · Narrative · Originality · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Engineering · Mining and Resource Management · Mining Techniques and Economics · Tailings Management and Properties