CHANGING FROM MINING ENCLAVE TO MINING DISTRICT. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CUENCA CARBONÍFERA RÍO TURBIO. SOUTHERN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

Abstract

Considering the historical development of mining, it can be generalized telling that gives its enclaves to a cultural identity with unique and distinctive characteristics: geographical, economic and social isolation; the heroism in the imaginary collective; the natural landscape modelled by the activity; population with lacking roots; submission to mining companies (modus operandiand modus vivendi) and the group of their workers.

The Turbio River Basin, has had all these characteristics from its beginnings origin that defined it as a typical mining enclave, but other aspects that make up its identity can also be taken into account, means, that the enclave horizon can be extended to a much wider territory that also integrates other actors and activities as well.

When considering this territory as a district, we are for one side treating it as a space socially constructed and shared in the time with qualities such as community belonging (dominus propietatisand dominus usufructus), occupation (common and differential activities) and generational transcendence. But the concept of proximity should be complemented with planning and shared planning, with similar objectives, because it would allow to strengthen efforts in search for the common good.

The objective of this study is to propose the importance of the mining district can have for a local and territorial development approach, with a view that incorporates some aspects that can be left aside and that are transversal to all its inhabitants: the agro ecological characteristics, the Patagonian environment, and customs and local ideas.