Anthropology has been discussed as the study of relationships through relationships. In this paper, I discuss how the ethnographer examines relationships that are not often expressed in words. By looking at negotiations between an affected community, a mining company and local government actors, I discuss how indignation over pollution and mining compensation is manifested or “swollen”. When relationships with neighbours, the state and local businesses are not publicly expressed, how to make sense of them or when to unveil what has been not made public? The effects of personal relationships for local economy and of business on personal relationships is documented here.
