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The economic and social impact of mining-resources exploitation in Zambia

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  • Aguirre Unceta, Rafael

Abstract

Mining resources (mainly copper), whose extraction and export were initiated during colonial times, have played an important role in the economy of Zambia, a landlocked country in central-southern Africa. This country faces serious development challenges, especially regarding economic structural transformation, deficient public goods, and high poverty. The question arises as to what extent the mining natural resource has contributed or not to tackle these challenges. More specifically, how public action has intervened for addressing them. The analysis is based on the A.O. Hirschman's linkages theory and on some of the resource curse assumptions. The general conclusion is that returns from mining resources has been modest in Zambia, even adverse in some respects, and that a hypothetical resource-based development has not taken place in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Aguirre Unceta, Rafael, 2021. "The economic and social impact of mining-resources exploitation in Zambia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420721002531
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102242
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Natural resources; General economic development; Taxation; Public finances; Development policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K34 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Tax Law
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • Q32 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Exhaustible Resources and Economic Development

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