Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report 

About: Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Sustainable development & Natural resource. It has an ISSN identifier of 0349-6287. Over the lifetime, 257 publication(s) have been published receiving 1731 citation(s).

The Peak and Decline of World Oil and Gas Production

Abstract: Extrapolating the discovery trend of the past to determine future discovery and production should be straightforward, and the size distribution of the fields should be evident. But the atrociously unreliable nature of public data has given much latitude when it comes to interpreting the status of depletion and the impact of economic and political factors on production. This has allowed two conflicting views of the subject to develop. The first is what may be called the Natural Science Approach, which observes the factors controlling oil accumulation in Nature and applies immutable physical laws to the process of depletion. The second is what may be called the Flat-Earth Approach, in which the resource is deemed to be virtually limitless, with extraction being treated as if it were controlled only by economic, political and technological factors. This paper will endeavor to present the evidence for the Natural Science Approach, addressing the geological constraints; the technical basis of reserve estimatio...

Factoring in governance is not enough. Mining codes in Africa, policy reform and corporate responsibility

Abstract: One of the main hypotheses underlying much of the discussion and certain of the recommendations made by the World Bank Group's Extractive Industries Review suggests that the quality of governance of a country is a key determinant for the development outcomes of extractive industries activities. While undoubtedly of central importance, a recent comparative study of mining codes in Africa suggests that while the quality of national governance is undoubtedly a key ingredient, no amount of local governance is sufficient if not accompanied by legal and fiscal frameworks designed to meet development objectives and which are implemented in the context of good international policies and rules. Based on this study, the article suggests that the reform measures introduced largely at the recommendation of multilateral financial institutions over the last twenty years have entailed a redefinition of the role of the state that is so profound that it has no historical precedent and that this situation has not received ...

Mainstreaming Mineral Wealth in Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategies

Abstract: Many studies claim that mineral resources impact negatively on economic growth particularly in developing countries. This paper briefly reviews this argument (the natural resources curse hypothesis) and subjects it to examination. The paper argues that poor performance is not an inherent characteristic of minerals‐driven economies. It considers mineral endowments a capital that can spur growth and reduce poverty in developing countries if deployed under appropriate conditions. The paper identifies the benefit streams of mining and the challenges for their equitable creation, investment, distribution and management. It articulates the conditions, success factors and strategies to maximizing the contribution of the minerals sector to growth and development in Africa. The entry points include creating a conducive and competitive policy, legal and regulatory environment and frameworks for business development; improving governance and management systems anchored on strong and capable institutions; opening up ...

Assessing the Threat of Mineral Depletion

Abstract: The debate over the long-run availability of mineral commodities remains today as polarized as it was 30 years ago. This partly reflects the two very different paradigms often used to assess this threat, which can lead to sharply contrasting conclusions. In addition, the uncertainties regarding future developments in mineral supply and demand, which will govern the course of real mineral prices, are great. The geological unknowns are particularly a problem in this regard. Finally, mineral commodity prices reflect only those social costs that producers pay. Just how much greater prices would be - and how their trends over time would be altered - if prices reflected the full social costs of production and use is unknown. The available estimates vary greatly, and often reflect the values of individuals and groups rather than those of society as a whole. In light of the last two uncertainties, we simply do not know whether mineral commodities will become more or less available in the long run. The optimists c...

The environmental and socioeconomic performance of multinational mining companies in the developing world economy

Abstract: This paper critically reviews how the large‐scale mining industry has performed in the developing world economy. The strategies adopted by a number of developing world governments in recent years to promote foreign investment in mineral exploration and extraction activities raises the question of how multinational mining companies have approached environmental and associated challenges. Although codes of practice and regulatory agencies are generally in an impoverished and piecemeal state throughout the developing world, representatives from regional governments nevertheless expect multinational mining corporations to engage in environmental best practice and contribute to local community development in exchange for their licenses to export minerals. After reviewing the impacts of mining in the developing world economy, the performance of the industry is examined more precisely through case study analysis of sub‐Saharan Africa, Asia/Eastern Europe and Latin America.