China's Minerals Future: 1985–2005

China has embarked on major economic and social changes to revitalize the Chinese economy, increase labor productivity, and improve the material standard of living of the Chinese people. This paper assumes that China will achieve its goal of a per capita income of US$800 in 2000, open-door policies will be maintained, and nonfuel mineral commodity consumption will increase as GDP per capita increases. Projections are made of production, trade and consumption of 14 nonfuel minerals for the period 1985–2005. China is projected to increase its net imports to these 14 minerals from about US$5000 million in 1985 to about US$12000 million in constant dollars in 2005. China's investment climate will become more favorable for those multinational companies that bring with them clear comparative advantages in minerals exploration, mining and processing technologies and marketing, and are prepared to develop in-depth Chinese expertise.     

Strategies for sustainable development of the small-scale gold and diamond mining industry of Ghana

The small-scale gold and diamonds mining industry is of great importance to Ghana. Since its regularization in 1989 the sector has produced and sold over 1.5 million troy ounces of gold and 8.0 million carats of diamonds. During the same period the sector also provided direct employment to over 100,000 people and improved the socioeconomic life of many individuals and communities. However, these were largely achieved at a cost to the environment in areas where mining is carried out and there is the need to develop the industry in a sustainable manner. This paper looks at the developments in the small-scale gold and diamonds mining industry in Ghana and proposes some strategies on how the concepts of sustainable development could be applied to the industry.     

UNITED NATIONS MINERAL EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES: 1960–1976

The United Nations Development Programme plays an important role in strengthening the economies of developing countries through mineral exploration projects, training in geosciences and institution building. This review demonstrates the effectiveness of such activities, both in terms of the economic value of mineral discoveries, and the less tangible, long-term contribution through development of infrastructure and skills, introduction of modern technology, and building up a body of reliable information as a base for future planning of mineral resources development.     

Managing mineral dependence: Papua New Guinea 1972–89

Papua New Guinea (PNG) managed the mineral booms of 1973–74, 1979–82 and 1987-89 well compared with other mineral exporting economies. Orthodox macroeconomic policies were one reason for this while the cushion afforded by the slow withdrawal of Australian aid was another. PNG also renegotiated MNC mining contracts in its favour without curbing foreign investment, but it managed its fragile political unity less well. Secession closed a large mine in 1989 while successful rent-seeking left wage indexation unreformed. Relatively high wages, exchange rate overvaluation and foreign investment controls in non-mining sectors retarded structural diversification: mineral dependence remains uncomfortably high a generation after the start-up of the first copper mine.     

International oil market – new directions

This article focuses on changes in the international petroleum industry during the past 20 years and examines some major trends, especially since the oil price collapse of 1986. The resumption of rapid increases in oil demand since 1986 in the developed market economies and the developing world has already led to a pronounced production shift to OPEC member countries where output increased by 6.6 million barrels per day or, 37% since 1985. Cutbacks in petroleum investments in non-OPEC countries are likely to result in even more dependence on the vast proved oil reserves of OPEC. However, the gap between peak output and sustainable production capacities in OPEC has narrowed and there is an urgent need for sizeable investments to expand capacities. Such investment programmes are already being implemented by transnational oil corporations in countries such as Indonesia and Nigeria where the companies had retained equity participation. In other countries such as Iraq and Venezuela where oil operations had been nationalized, transnational oil corporations are being invited to participate in new arrangements for oil production. New arrangements are also being considered in Eastern Europe and the USSR. New understandings, dialogue and cooperation between oil-consuming and producing countries will be necessary for the security of investments, supplies and markets in this process. The unanswered question is whether such cooperation can be achieved in time in order to avoid yet another energy crisis.     

ANNOYANCE AND COMMUNITY NOISE: PSYCHOPHYSICAL MODEL OF DOSE – RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS

There is a paucity of theory pertaining to social surveys of annoyance and community noise. A new psychophysical model addresses data concerning resident annoyance in sites exposed to various maximum noise levels and different numbers of noise events. The best fits of this model point to the relevance of response variance for understanding the results obtained with category response scales. The argument identifies a number of psychological and physical variables that may influence annoyance reactions to community noise. Most importantly, the model suggests that the truncation inherent in category scales biases the responses, and that response variability may be critical in determining the detailed shape of the dose–response function. Regulatory decisions concerning annoyance and community noise should be more valid when based on a deeper understanding of the theoretical basis of the empirical data.     

Norway's offshore petroleum industry

During the past decade, Norway has become an important oil and gas producer. Annual production is six times national consumption. Development policies of the national government have been cautious, and future policies will probably follow a similar pattern. The government recently opened offshore areas poleward of 62°N latitude, a decision likely to have a significant impact on Norway's future as an oil producer. Norway maintains a tight reign on foreign oil company participation, domestic downstream processing of crude, oil company taxation and oil revenue investment within the national economy. Norway's large inflow of oil-related capital investments and production revenues have contributed to significant inflation and to changes in local labour supplies. Norway has always used its petroleum industry to further the country's overall development goals, a policy that will continue in the years ahead.     

Copper and copper alloys in the UK : Consumption and losses, 1920–1970

The authors consider consumption of copper in the UK using data from 1920 to 1970. They draw up an overall balance sheet which, it is hoped, provides a firm foundation on which to base the total availability of copper and against which could be balanced the scrap which was recycled.     

Copper Investment Policy in Chile 1973–1984

The present Government of Chile has retained under state ownership the large-scale copper mines nationalized by the Allende Government in 1971. At the same time it has pledged itself to open fully the Chilean economy to the free play of national and international market forces and to this end has elected to expand Chilean copper production by using foreign capital. The financial regimes created by the Government to attract such investment are described. Although the investment terms have been generous, the Government has not been as successful in attracting as much foreign investment as it had hoped. It is suggested that the Government could expand copper production more efficiently and at less cost to the nation by investing in the state-owned copper industry.     

The sense of snow – Individuals’ perception of fatal avalanche events

This empirical paper aims at examining individuals’ risk perception in the context of an environmental disaster. Risk is defined as probability of dying in a snow avalanche. Risk perception is analyzed from two different perspectives: (i) individuals’ estimate of the average avalanche risk and (ii) the perceived personal avalanche risk. The perception of personal risk is summarized in an ordered categorical variable, average risk perception is captured by a measurement previously used in risk communication that results in a continuous variable. The variation in risk perception observed is examined by using individual leisure activities (skiing) and the timing of the survey (fall vs. winter) as proxies for frequency, familiarity, controllability, voluntariness, and beneficiary of risk exposure and by including several individual specific characteristics such as age, gender, education, income. The results show that risk as well as individual specific characteristics are significant determinants of participants’ perception of risk but their relevance differs depending on whether the focus is on perception of average risk or of personal risk.     

The environment of the mining industry: An industry view

Finance and investment, technological development, government legislation and fiscal policies, public attitudes and aboriginal lands, are among the major issues confronting the Australian minerals industry. Within this context the author discusses the significance of the industry to the Australian economy and assesses its potential.