Research Team

​Prof. Dr. Sara Geenen (Promoter)

Sara is an associate professor in Globalization at the Institute of Development Policy (IOB), University of Antwerp, Belgium. She is the promoter of this project. 

Dr. Boris Verbrugge (Post-Doctoral Researcher)

Boris completed his PhD-research (Ghent University) on informal gold mining in the Philippines in 2015. In this project, he is primarily responsible for the analysis of structural trends in global gold production.

Maria Eugenia Robles Mengoa (PhD-Researcher)

Maria Eugenia Robles Mengoa will complete her PhD as part of the InforMining Project. Eugenia holds a master degree in Anthropology and Sociology from the Graduate Institute of Geneva. For her MA-thesis, she conducted field research on gender-based violence in the mining area of La Rinconada, Peru. She will conduct the bulk of the field research in Colombia and the Philippines, where she will investigate different types of 'gold mining crystallizations', and the indistinct relations that tie them to the global gold market.

In DRCongo we collaborate with Centre d'Expertise en Gestion Minière (CEGEMI) at the Catholic University of Bukavu. 

​

The local research team consists of Philippe Dunia Kabunga (coordinator); Lutula Kaminkya Chance, Balonga Bruno, Muyololo Mulamba, Kalaluko Edouard, Divin-Luc Bikubanya, Mwenyemali Tnutu Christian and Simon Marijsse (for Shabunda); and Madamu Alyo, Jean Claude Baraka, Augustin Bedidjo, Divin Luc Bikubanya, Simon Marijsse, Alain Mboza, Bernard Mutupile (for Watsa). We thank the governmental and traditional authorities of Watsa territory and Shabunda territory for facilitating our research and protecting the research team. We extend special thanks to all mine workers and mining communities who welcomes the team and shared their experiences. 

In Peru we collaborate with the Instituto de Pequeña Mineria (ISPEMI) at the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano in Puno. The research team consisted of Yesica Belisario (research assistant), Yoel Benji Vilca Condori (logistics assistant), Elmer Henry, Apaza Condori, Yasmina Wendy, Apaza Hilasaca, Thalia Katherine, Roman Curo, Jessica Fiorella, Cruz Ramos, Luis Royer, Inca Quecaño, Gloria Elena, Chipana Quispe, Victor Vicente, Cruz Nuñez, Adelaida, Callacondo Acero, Mijael Baldor, Pelinco Coari, Hector, Rivera Huanca (enumerators). 

Special thanks to the Universidad del Altiplano for their coninuoud support, especially to professors Dr. Walter Tudela, Vice Rector Ing. Mario Cuentas, and the ISPEMI team: Dr. Samuel Gallegos, Dra. Myrian Pacheco, Dr. Enrique Rivera, Dra. Maria Zuñiga. 

We are grateful for the support of Corporación Minera Ananea S.A. from the town of La Riconada. And last but not least, to all the miners and women miners for their testimonies and time given during our surveys and interviews. 

In The Philippines we collaborate with Bantay Kita. 

The research team for the survey carried out in 2019 consisted of the coordinator Ms. Beverly Besmanos. Sub-national Mindanao Coordinator of Bantay Kita, and enumerators Ms. Bergeda Donios - Espinosa, Ms. Catherine M. Goc-ong, Ms. Ailyn G. Barrios, Ms. Rena Davis and Ms. Gemma Tingcoy. The team for the 2022 workshops consisted of Ms. Beverly Besmanos, Ms. Alma A. Andoy and Ms. Von Peale Grace Aleman (Barangay LGU of Mt. Diwata, for Davao de Oro), Mr. Panfilo Dobluis and Ptr. Maurice A. Bigaran (BSCSSMARADS) and Datu Emiliano P. Pugosa (Manobo Tribal Chieftain of Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Rosario, for Agusan del Sur), Mr. Jereboam C. Atam (DISSMAI) and Hon. Brgy. Councilor Marnelli A. Bengil (Brgy. Poblacion, Tboli, for SOuth Cotabato). The online conference collaborators were Ms. Joan Cristie Altobar (Bantay Kita), Mr. Jeffrey Carin (Fr. Saturnino Urios University, FSUU), Suzette Vinias (FSUU), Antoinette D. Danao (FSUU), Morris Nortega (FSUU) and Freddie Conde (FSUU). We thank the always helpful and kind driver Mr. Noel Flores. And we are especially grateful to the strong female miners of Sitio Loring, Sta. Cruz, Rosario, Brgy. Mt. Diwata (Monkayo, Davao de Oro) and Brgys. Kematu & Desawo (Tboli, South Cotabato).