Sustainable Minerals Institute

Dr Fitsum S. Weldegiorgis

Senior Research Fellow
Development Minerals
View researcher profile
Dr Fitsum S. Weldegiorgis

Fitsum is an economist and social scientist focused on sustainable human development effects of economic activities including those related to extractive resources, infrastructure, and industrial development. He is internationally recognised for his work on the potential for resource-rich countries to utilise the inter-sectoral linkages with the extractive sector for economic transformation, and the role of policy makers and industry actors in achieving it. He is particularly passionate about harmonizing the interplay between state intervention and market dynamics, and optimizing the opportunities related to the interface between extractive minerals and the transition to clean energy for harnessing sustainable energy solutions.

 

Researcher biography

Having started his career in economics and finance in government and banking sector, Fitsum applied his development economics and political science training in his role as researcher with the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at SMI between 2011 and 2016. In this role, he conducted applied research on fiscal and non-fiscal contribution of large-scale mining, impact of extractives on political settlements and conflict, mining and sub-regional development, engaging the private sector for inclusive extractive industries, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and formalisation efforts, extractive industries transparency and governance, social license in technology design, resettlement and livelihoods, and social aspects of mine closure. He has also delivered capacity building programs to practitioners, policy makers and key stakeholder groups from several countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Topics included connecting mining to human development outcomes, managing the social and environmental impacts of mining, community research methods, and resource governance.

Fitsum then took the role of Senior Researcher with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) in London from 2016 to 2019. In this role, he led ASM action dialogue programmes, overseeing research to support the national dialogues in Tanzania, Ghana and Madagascar. He also led and conducted a series of research activities to inform decisions by more than 60 member countries of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (IGF).

More recently, Fitsum worked as an independent senior research consultant; and Senior Social Specialist for GHD in Australia. In addition to applied and academic research and capacity building experience, he has delivered presentations and guest speaking in numerous global conferences and workshops.

Publications

Book Chapters (4)
Journal Articles (8)
Conference Papers (2)
Thesis (1)
Generic Document (1)
Department Technical Report (1)
Research Reports (12)
Newspaper Articles (5)
Working Papers (2)

Book Chapters

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. and Dietsche, Evelyn (2024). Local content in the context of social impact assessment and management. Handbook of Social Impact Assessment and Management. (pp. 444-458) Edward Elgar Publishing. doi: 10.4337/9781802208870.00038
Sturman, Kathryn and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2019). Evaluating conflict risks in Africa’s resource governance. Africa’s mineral fortune: the science and politics of mining and sustainable development. (pp. 28-44) edited by Saleem H. Ali, Kathryn Sturman and Nina Collins. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429467424-3
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2019). Women in artisanal and small-scale mining: Interventions for greater participation. Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Handbook for Malawi with a regional perspective. (pp. 129-139) edited by Tychsen, J., Dombola, K. H. A., Salima, J. W., Mbale-Luka, T., Banda, N. S., Nyirenda, G. B., Maneya, G. J., Msika, B., Kamwanje, I., Kaphwiyo, C., Etter-Phoya, R., Phiri, R. and Mandere, H.. Copenhagen, Denmark: Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum and Parra, Cristian (2019). Measuring transformative development from mining: a case study of Madagascar. Africa's mineral fortune: the science and politics of mining and sustainable development. (pp. 119-145) edited by Saleem H. Ali, Kathryn Sturman and Nina Collins. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780429467424-9

Journal Articles

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2023). The interplay of mineral and energy security: A nexus approach to Africa's economic diversification. Energy Research and Social Science, 106 103336, 103336. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2023.103336
Weldegiorgis, Scholar Fitsum S., Dietsche, Evelyn, Ahmad, Shabbir, Franks, Daniel M. and Cust, James (2023). Inter‐sectoral economic linkages in the Australian mining industry: analysis using partial hypothetical extraction method. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 68 (1), 206-226. doi: 10.1111/1467-8489.12544
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum Semere, Dietsche, Evelyn and Ahmad, Shabbir (2023). Inter-sectoral economic linkages in the mining industries of Botswana and Tanzania: analysis using partial hypothetical extraction method. Resources, 12 (7) 78, 78. doi: 10.3390/resources12070078
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S., Dietsche, Evelyn, Franks, Daniel M., Cust, James and Ahmad, Shabbir (2022). Mining and linkages for economic transformation: revealing multi-stakeholder perspectives through Q-methodology. The Extractive Industries and Society, 12 101174, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2022.101174
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S., Dietsche, Evelyn and Franks, Daniel M. (2021). Building mining's economic linkages: a critical review of local content policy theory. Resources Policy, 74 102312, 102312. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102312
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S., Mesfin, Berouk and Sturman, Kathryn (2016). Looking for oil, gas and mineral development in Ethiopia: prospects and risks for the political settlement. Extractive Industries and Society, 4 (1), 151-162. doi: 10.1016/j.exis.2016.12.003
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. and Ali, Saleem H. (2016). Mineral resources and localised development: Q-methodology for rapid assessment of socioeconomic impacts in Rwanda. Resources Policy, 49, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2016.03.006
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. and Franks, Daniel M. (2013). Social dimensions of energy supply alternatives in steelmaking: comparison of biomass and coal production scenarios in Australia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 84 (1), 281-288. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.09.056

Conference Papers

Parra, Cristian and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2013). Mining development and opportunities for poverty reduction and human development in Latin America. SRMINING 2013: 2nd International Conference on Social Responsibility in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 5-8 November, 2013. Gecamin Digital Publications.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2007). Central bank independence in East African countries: the case of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. World Association for Sustainable Development 5th International Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 29-31 October 2007.

Thesis

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2024). Utilising inter-sectoral linkages with the extractive sector for economic transformation in Africa and Australia. PhD Thesis, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/2efeee9

Generic Document

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. and Sturman, Kathryn (2019). Rwanda’s political settlement: a good foundation for inclusive development from mining?.

Department Technical Report

Owen, John, R. and Weldegiorgis, F (2011). Social and Resettlement Action Plan - 1st Independent Monitoring Report. 1. Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, International Finance Corporation.

Research Reports

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2022). Women and the mine of the future: a gendered analysis of employment and skills in the large-scale mining sector of Ghana. Winnipeg, Canada: IISD.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2022). Women and the mine of the future: a gendered analysis of employment and skills in the large-scale mining sector of Australia. Winnipeg, Canada: IISD.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S., Lawson, Lynda and Verbrugge, Hannelore (2018). Women in artisanal and small-scale mining: Challenges and opportunities for greater participation. Report prepared by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (IGF). Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Morgane, Fritz, McQuilken, James, Collins, Nina and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2018). Global trends in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM): a review of key numbers and issues. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S., Ali, Saleem and Sturman, Kathryn (2017). Navigator to support economic diversification: instruments for resource-rich developing countries. Eschborn, Germany: The Sector Project Sustainable Economic Policy and Private Sector Development of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Everingham, Jo-Anne, Brereton, David, Arbelaez-Ruiz, Diana, Barnes, Rodger, Collins, Nina, Weldegiorgis, Fitsum, Rogers, Paul and Oñate Santibáñez, Barbara (2013). Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine: combined report. Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Franks, D. M., McNab, K., McNab, K., Weldegiorgis, F., Horberry, T., Garcia-Vasquez, M., Oñate Santibáñez, B., Barnes, R. and McLellan, B. C. (2013). Designing mining technology for social outcomes: final report of the Technology Futures Project. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining & the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
Arbeláez-Ruiz, Diana and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2013). Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine: survey of employees in GCA roles at Century Mine. Supplement B. Social aspects of the closure of Century Mine St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum and Franks, Daniel M. (2012). The social dimensions of charcoal use in steelmaking: Analysing technology alternatives. Cluster research report 2.7 Brisbane Australia: The University of Queensland.
Owen, John and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2011). Gold Ridge mining project: social and resettlement action plan. 3rd independent monitoring report. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland.
Owen, John and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2011). Gold Ridge mining project: social and and resettlement action plan. 2nd independent monitoring report. St. Lucia, QLD, Australia: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, The University of Queensland.
Pacheco, Vladimir, Picquenot, Aude, Su, June and Weldegiorgis, Fitsum (2010). Global masters in microfinance: an international survey report. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC).

Newspaper Articles

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2018, 02 26). Using dialogue to extract sustainable solutions for artisanal and small-scale mining International institute for environment and development (IIED) blog 1-1.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2017, 03 01). Six steps forward for African mining International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) blog 1-1.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2016, 10 25). Talking sustainable development in the troubled world of ASM International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) blog 1-1.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2015, 06 25). Socio-ecological impacts and conflict: Rio-Tinto’s QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) Adelphi research at the Environment, Conflict and Cooperation (ECC) Platform 1-1.
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. (2014, 12 01). Logging, mining and climate vulnerability in the Solomon Islands Environment, conflict and cooperation (ECC) platform

Working Papers

Weldegiorgis, Fitsum and Reynolds, Francis (2018). Action dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in Tanzania. International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. and Buxton, Abbi (2017). Informing dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining in Tanzania. A thematic review of challenges and solutions. Institute, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).