Sustainable Development in Mineral Economies

The mineral economies comprise approximately one-fifth of developing countries. They face special problems in achieving sustainable development, and have as a group been less successful than resource-deficient neighbours. This book examines the apparent paradox, detailing the current problems facing the mineral economies and the future policies necessary to overcome these problems. Nine countries are studied: Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. The authors argue that the key factor is not the sustainability of the mineral production that initially generates growth, but the maintenance of the economic and social conditions for sustaining that growth. They draw upon recent progress in environmental and natural resource accounting to show how this can be achieved, and also assess the socio-politicalfactors that often constrain sustainable development.

Recommended as being of interest to both practitioners and researchers as well as students of the subject for whom it offers succinct theory and case-study material supported by a useful bibliography for further reading., Sustainable Development in Mineral Economies is a useful and wide-ranging analysis of the economic, environmental and social implications of mineral resource wealth and extraction based upon the varied experiences of eight developing countries., Important book ... a good read ... clear and logical ... carefully crafted.

Richard M. Auty is Reader in Geography at Lancaster University. A former consultant to the World Bank, UNCTAD, HIID, and KIET, he has also been Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, the Harvard Institute for International Development, and the Research Program in Development Studies at the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton.Raymond F. Mikesell is Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Oregon.