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Showing papers in "Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report in 1998"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that there is a high prevalence of uncompensated occupational lung disease in ex-mine-workers and that much of the cost of this disease is being externalised from the industry.
Abstract: This paper analyses the costs of gold mining related occupational lung disease to the mining industry, the state health services and the mine labour sending communities. The extent of the liability of unpaid occupational lung disease compensation is estimated. It is shown that there is a high prevalence of uncompensated occupational lung disease in ex-mine-workers and that much of the cost of this disease is being externalised from the industry. The total cost, both internalised and externalised, of gold mining related lung disease represents 6 per cent of the 1996 wage bill and 2.6 per cent of the gold mining industry's contribution to South Africa's GDP in 1996. Better information on costs is critical for planning profitable and safe gold mining and also for the planning and budgeting of health care services.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this narrow sense, of the ultimate exhaustion of individual mines, no mining activity is sustainable as discussed by the authors, however, a very restrictive definition of sustainability should be considered more broadly, since all mineral deposits are finite.
Abstract: All mineral deposits are finite. Their exhaustion may happen within a relatively short period of time, or over an extended period, even of centuries. In this narrow sense, of the ultimate exhaustion of individual mines, no mining activity is sustainable. That is, however, a very restrictive definition of sustainability. Mining as an economic activity should be considered more broadly. This article is taken from a much longer paper prepared for the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME). Its purpose was to provoke discussion within ICME about the measurement of sustainable development in the minerals industry, and to suggest possible indicators.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors explores an apparent paradox of globalisation and liberalisation, with reference to Africa and to Canadian mining interests, and argues that there is a real danger that the countries of Africa are being integrated into the world economy in the absence of policy instruments necessary to ensure national norms.
Abstract: This article explores an apparent paradox of globalisation and liberalisation, with reference to Africa and to Canadian mining interests. On the one hand there is a real danger that the countries of Africa are being integrated into the world economy in the absence of policy instruments necessary to ensure national norms. This may well contribute to the increasing marginali-sation of this part of the world. On the other hand this is very much because of public institutional support and governmental assistance that Canadian mining companies are at the forefront of financing and exploration activities in Africa.

7 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The economic underperformance of many mineral economies compared with some other developing countries poses problems for multinational mining companies (MNCs). MNCs will be attacked by "green ayatollahs" who will use natural capital and environmental damage to press for "social sustainability" as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The economic under-performance of many mineral economies compared with some other developing countries poses problems for multinational mining companies (MNCs). MNCs will be attacked by “green ayatollahs”, who will use natural capital and environmental damage to press for “social sustainability”. But economic under-performance is not inevitable: mismanaged mineral economies are associated with specific types of political economy. Mining MNCs can mitigate the potential problems by encouraging institutions which enhance the quality of government, by improving the transparency of mineral rent flows and by accommodating reasonable requests from host communities.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bon Bonnie Campbell examines the implications of alternative conceptualisations of the role of the state in the environmental policy process as revealed through the analysis of different planning documents as mentioned in this paper, based on the example of Guinean environmental policies in the mining sector.
Abstract: In this article Bonnie Campbell examines the implications of alternative conceptualisations of the role of the state in the environmental policy process as revealed through the analysis of different planning documents. The study is based on the example of Guinean environmental policies in the mining sector.

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The concept of economic surplus or rent is, however, crucial to any understanding of the mineral industry's contribution to development, and of the extent to which that contribution is genuinely sustainable as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The economist's concept of rent is purely technical and descriptive, yet it gives rise to many misconceptions and much emotional argument within the minerals industry. Many people in the industry, lacking the necessary theoretical background, even deny its very existence. Their objections are nearly always based on concerns about how any rent or surplus is to be divided between the various stakeholders, or, more narrowly, on resistance to the use of a theoretical concept as a basis for taxation policy. The concept of economic surplus or rent is, however, crucial to any understanding of the mineral industry's contribution to development, and of the extent to which that contribution is genuinely sustainable. This article tries to behind the emotions to the basic concepts involved.

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors identified some of the key issues which could be addressed by Brazil and by other emerging nations which seek to overhaul their protectionist investment regimes to face the challenges of an increasingly competitive world economy.
Abstract: A nation's fiscal system is not just a critical factor in a mining company's assessment of a potential investment, it is also one factor which the host government can change in a relatively short time. For several years Brazil's fiscal regime for mining has been unfavourable and the level of investment has fallen. Recent modest changes to the legal and fiscal regime have resulted in a renewed level of interest from foreign mining companies. Despite this improvement, Brazil's fiscal system has scope for improvement. This paper identifies some of the key issues which could be addressed by Brazil and by other emerging nations which seek to overhaul their protectionist investment regimes to face the challenges of an increasingly competitive world economy.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the main findings of a research study conducted to establish the influence of technology in poverty alleviation in artisanal mining areas in Tanzania are summarized and analyzed. But, it is recognized that technological aspects cannot be assessed without also taking into consideration socioeconomic, institutional, and organizational aspects that in one way or another affect the choice and application of technology.
Abstract: This paper summarizes the main findings of a research study conducted to establish the influence of technology in poverty alleviation in artisanal mining areas in Tanzania. It is recognized that technological aspects cannot be assessed without also taking into consideration socio-economic, institutional, and organizational aspects that in one way or another affect the choice and application of technology. These factors are therefore also examined.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The revision of the Brazilian Mining Code has introduced some important changes in the mining legal framework, becoming effective after January 1997 as discussed by the authors, and from an international viewpoint, the most acclaimed change is that there is no longer any distinction between Brazilian company and a Brazilian company of national capital which, in fact, after 1988 had precluded foreign investors from controlling mining operations.
Abstract: The revision of the Brazilian Mining Code has introduced some important changes in the mining legal framework, becoming effective after January 1997.1 From an international viewpoint, the most acclaimed change is that there is no longer any distinction between a Brazilian company and a Brazilian company of national capital which, in fact, after 1988 had precluded foreign investors from controlling mining operations. However, other “relatively minor” adjustments may have, in the medium term, a significant impact on the sector's attractiveness matrix, especially when focused from the Brazilian private sector interests.

1 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Raw Materials Data, the database on the international mining industry, is now available in a Windows version including several new features such as maps, geological information and greatly enhanced sorting, search and printing facilities.
Abstract: The tables on the following pages are excerpts from Raw Materials Data, the database on the international mining industry. Raw Materials Data, which is developed and updated by the Raw Materials Group, is now available in a Windows version including several new features such as maps, geological information and greatly enhanced sorting, search and printing facilities.

1 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Namaqualand coast is situated in the north-western part of South Africa as discussed by the authors and it sustains a fishery as well as a diamond mining industry, both of which are of great importance for the South African economy.
Abstract: The Namaqualand coast is situated in the north-western part of South Africa. It sustains a fishery as well as a diamond mining industry, both of great importance for the South African economy. On the Namaqualand coast, diamonds have been mined from raised marine gravel-deposits since early this century. But coastal areas as this sustain some of the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, and due to their riches, these areas are often threatened by human activities. The need for wise management is now urgent.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Ernst Von Weizsacker, Amory B. Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins as mentioned in this paper, Factor four: Doubling wealth, halving resource use, Earthscan Publications Ltd, London 1998, 322 pages, paperback
Abstract: Ernst Von Weizsacker, Amory B. Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins, Factor four: Doubling wealth, halving resource use, Earthscan Publications Ltd, London 1998, 322 pages, paperback

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an econometric analysis is applied to mainly state mine-related data over the period 1984-94, relative to four geologically associated metals produced in developing and transition economies.
Abstract: The analysis of the supply behaviour of mining companies has relevant theoretical and policy implications Supply determinants can be identified in, among other elements, the ownership and control pattern and geological characteristics of mineral deposits These factors can influence the production objectives of the mines, and their ability to achieve these objectives Following a review of current literature hypotheses and a formulation of an interpretative framework, an econometric analysis is applied to mainly state mine-related data over the period 1984-94, relative to four geologically associated metals produced in developing and transition economies

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The UNCTAD report "Management of Commodity Resources in the Context of Sustainable Development: Governance Issues for the Mineral Sector" as discussed by the authors focuses on environmental management and sustainable development issues, and their implications for policy.
Abstract: This document is a reprint of one part of the UNCTAD report “Management of Commodity Resources in the Context of Sustainable Development: Governance Issues for the Mineral Sector”, 1997. The entire report summarizes some of the main findings of an UNCTAD project which examined the role of the mineral sector in the development process of developing countries. The overall aim was to identify policies which are likely to enhance the contribution of the mineral sector to economic development. The part presented here focuses on environmental management and sustainable development issues, and their implications for policy.