پدیدارشناسی معدن و معدن کاری؛ مطالعه ای در میان کارگران معادن زغال سنگ طبس (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
درجه علمی: نشریه علمی (وزارت علوم)
آرشیو
چکیده
معدن و کار در معدن به عنوان امری پیچیده چندان محل بحث مطالعات اجتماعی در ایران نبوده است. ایران به عنوان کشوری با منابع معدنی و معادن درحال تولید گسترده است. تحقیق در ماهیت کار معدن کاری با خلأ دانش مواجه هست. هدف تحقیق حاضر کشف و واکاوی معنای معدن کاری در میان معدن کاران زغال سنگ طبس است. تحقیق حاضر مطالعه ای پدیدارشناختی است که در سال 1404 در معادن زغال سنگ طبس انجام شد. مشارکت کنندگان 22 معدنکار بودند که به صورت هدفمند و گلوله برفی وارد مطالعه شدند. برای جمع آوری داده ها مصاحبه عمیق با مشارکت کنندگان انجام شد و به روش هفت مرحله ای کلیزی تحلیل شد. تحلیل داده ها نشان داد که تجربه کارگران معدن، آمیخته ای از رنج، ترس و خشم در دل ساختارهای نابرابر است. پنج مضمون برساخت شده تحقیق عبارت اند از: اضطراب وجودی، تقدیرگرایی و بی عدالتی، اضمحلال جسمی-روانی، معنازدایی اجتماعی، تاب آوری، امیدسازی و معنا. تحقیق نشان می دهد که کارگران معدن در دل شرایط پرمخاطره و ساختارهای نابرابر با طیفی از اضطراب، فرسایش و انزوا مواجه اند. درعین حال، تاب آوری و معنادادن به کار نقش کلیدی در ادامه زیستِ امیدآفرین آنان دارد. اصلاح سیاست های ایمنی، حقوقی و اجتماعی در میان این معادن به منظور ارتقای توان وجودی و زیستی و ایجاد امیدآفرینی در میان کارگران معدن زغال سنگ طبس پیشنهاد می شود.Phenomenology of Mining and Miners: A Study of Coal Mine Workers in Tabas
Introduction
Mining, one of humanity's oldest industries, has continuously evolved alongside technological advancements and plays a vital role in national economies. This sector not only supplies raw materials for various industries, but also creates both direct and indirect employment opportunities, serving as a source of wealth for diverse stakeholders, including corporations and governments. However, working in mines is often regarded as one of the most hazardous and demanding professions due to challenging occupational conditions. Factors like remoteness from residential areas, long shifts, and high-risk environments jeopardize the physical and mental health of workers, leading to accidents and occupational diseases. Additionally, issues like inadequate wages and a lack of welfare facilities exacerbate the psychological and social pressures faced by miners. Given these considerations, understanding the "meaning of work" is crucial for miners. This concept refers to how individuals interpret and perceive their occupational experiences, which can significantly influence their motivation, job satisfaction, and overall performance. Workers, who find meaning in their jobs, tend to be more motivated to adhere to safety protocols and engage in industrial development. In contrast, viewing work merely as a temporary source of income can diminish their commitment and focus. The objective of this research was to explore and analyze the meaning of mining from the perspective of coal miners in Tabas. This focus is particularly significant given the essential role of mining in the economy and culture of specific regions in Iran like Tabas. Gaining a deeper understanding of workers' viewpoints provides a solid foundation for improving human resource policies, enhancing safety measures, and ameliorating welfare conditions. Ultimately, these efforts aim to achieve sustainable development in the mining industry, contributing not only to an improved quality of life for workers, but also to more responsible and efficient practices across the entire sector.
Materials & Methods
This qualitative research conducted in 2025 in Tabas City employed a descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the "meaning of mining" from the perspective of coal mine workers. Given its historical and strategic significance in mining, Tabas is regarded not merely as a geographical location, but as a "mining community", providing a rich context for this study. Sampling was executed using both snowball and purposive methods. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 22 workers. While data saturation was reached by the 20th interview, two additional interviews were conducted to enhance the reliability of the findings. Throughout all interview stages, strict adherence to ethical considerations was maintained, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring the confidentiality of participants' information. For data analysis, we utilized Colaizzi’s (1978) 7-step method, which involved an initial reading of the data, extracting significant statements, formulating meanings, clustering themes, developing an exhaustive description, identifying the fundamental structure of the phenomenon, and final validation. The credibility of the study was bolstered through rich descriptions, peer debriefing, and member checking. This research aimed to address a gap in understanding the meaning of work in this specific region of Iran.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
This research employed a phenomenological approach to investigate the lived experiences of coal miners in Tabas, Iran, with a particular focus on the meaning they attributed to their work. The findings revealed that the miners’ lifeworld was characterized by routine, pervasive anxiety, and suffering, leading to a profound sense of injustice often met with fatalism due to a perceived lack of agency for change. Drawing on Heideggerian philosophy, the study suggested that mining transcended mere physical labor; it represented a deeply meaningful, distressing, and painful experience. This embodied experience began with the act of entering the mine, encompassing sensory perceptions of darkness, tactile sensations of stone, and auditory cues from tools, all intertwined with emotional responses, such as fear and anger, alongside a confrontation with inequitable socio-economic structures. Furthermore, the research highlighted a dimension of social meaninglessness as described by Schutz and Weber. This phenomenon arose from the convergence of harsh physical conditions, environmental hazards, and geographical and social marginalization. As a result, miners experienced isolation, a lack of social recognition, and social exclusion with their identities often reduced to that of manual laborers. Despite these considerable challenges, the study observed that miners demonstrated resilience by creating meaning—not necessarily derived from their work itself, but from a desire to transcend their current circumstances and aspire to a better future. Based on these findings, the research proposes several recommendations aimed at improving the miners’ conditions. These include:
Conducting critical analyses of power dynamics and exploitation within the mining industry.
Mandating the use of standard safety equipment and implementing robust inspection protocols.
Ensuring fair wages and employment security through legal compliance and support funds.
Establishing accessible mental health services and training for management to recognize psychological distress.
Developing comprehensive training programs focused on professional skills, communication, problem-solving, stress management, and resilience-building.
These interventions aim to address the multifaceted deprivations faced by miners and enhance their overall well-being.
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