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The impact of mining on spatial inequality: Recent evidence from Africa

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  • Tony Addison
  • Amadou Boly
  • Anthony Mveyange

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between mining and spatial inequality in Africa during 2001-12. The identification strategy is based on a unilateral causation between mining and district inequality. The findings show that when minerals are aggregated, mining increases district inequality. But an analysis of individual minerals shows that mining affects district inequality both positively and negatively, suggesting that mineral wealth can be both a curse and a blessing.

Suggested Citation

  • Tony Addison & Amadou Boly & Anthony Mveyange, 2017. "The impact of mining on spatial inequality: Recent evidence from Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-13, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2017-13
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2017-13.pdf
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bezzola, Selina & Günther, Isabel & Brugger, Fritz & Lefoll, Erwin, 2022. "CSR and local conflicts in African mining communities," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay & David Garcés Urzainqui, 2018. "The dynamics of spatial and local inequalities in India," WIDER Working Paper Series 182, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay & David Garcés Urzainqui, 2018. "The dynamics of spatial and local inequalities in India," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-182, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    5. Provenzano, Sandro, 2020. "Isolated and Poor: the cost of remoteness from the capital city," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 105688, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Tony Addison & Amadou Boly & Anthony Mveyange, 2016. "Mining and economic development: Did China's WTO accession affect African local economic development?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-141, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Provenzano, Sandro, 2024. "Accountability failure in isolated areas: the cost of remoteness from the capital city," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120909, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    8. Nhi Nguyen & Bryan Boruff & Matthew Tonts, 2018. "Fool’s Gold: Understanding Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts from Gold Mining in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-22, April.

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