The state of cobalt mining Laws: Implications for the future of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia cobalt mining prospects

IF 10.2 2区 经济学 0 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Jeleel Abiola Balyaminu
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Abstract

Globally, there is a significant increase in the demand for cobalt, which is marked by a notable sophistication in market dynamics. Cobalt, a critical natural resource, is predominantly sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia. However, in these countries, vulnerabilities and tensions occasionally arise among various stakeholders involved in cobalt mining, including employees, government authorities, law enforcement, local communities, and civil society. These tensions often stem from differing interpretations of mining legislation and how these laws influence mining operations and safeguard the interests of each stakeholder. This situation raises pertinent questions regarding the nature of the relationship between existing mining laws and cobalt mining regulations in the DRC and Zambia, as well as the extent of stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process pertaining to cobalt mining legislation. Employing a cross-sectional probing method, this paper examines the current state of mining legislation and its implications for the future economic prospects of this natural resource, alongside the protection of stakeholder interests. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community representatives, mine employees, and artisanal mine operators. Additionally, focus group discussions were held to gather expert opinions at both national and international levels, with the aim of obtaining insight into potential policy solutions. The findings reveal divergent perspectives among stakeholders on the legal frameworks that govern the cobalt mining sector. The thematic analysis conducted indicates a tendency towards favouritism in the implementation of legal instruments and highlights the exclusion of various stakeholders from the policy formulation process ab initio for mining laws in the DRC and Zambia. This study advocates for an inclusive overhaul of policies and a comprehensive review of guidelines to enhance governance in the cobalt mining sector.
钴矿业法律现状:对刚果民主共和国(DRC)和赞比亚钴矿业前景的影响
在全球范围内,对钴的需求显著增加,其标志是市场动态的显著复杂性。钴是一种重要的自然资源,主要来自刚果民主共和国(DRC)和赞比亚。然而,在这些国家,涉及钴开采的各种利益相关者(包括雇员、政府当局、执法部门、当地社区和民间社会)之间偶尔会出现脆弱性和紧张局势。这些紧张关系往往源于对采矿立法的不同解释,以及这些法律如何影响采矿作业和保护每个利益相关者的利益。这种情况提出了有关刚果民主共和国和赞比亚现行采矿法与钴开采法规之间关系性质的相关问题,以及利益相关者在有关钴开采立法的决策过程中的参与程度。本文采用横断面探测方法,考察了采矿立法的现状及其对这种自然资源未来经济前景的影响,以及对利益相关者利益的保护。对社区代表、矿山员工和手工矿山经营者进行了半结构化访谈。此外,还举行了焦点小组讨论,以便在国家和国际两级收集专家意见,以期深入了解可能的政策解决办法。调查结果揭示了利益相关者对管理钴采矿业的法律框架的不同看法。所进行的专题分析表明,在执行法律文书方面存在偏袒的趋势,并强调在刚果民主共和国和赞比亚,各种利益攸关方被排除在从头开始的矿业法政策制定过程之外。本研究主张对政策进行包容性改革,并对指导方针进行全面审查,以加强钴矿业的治理。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Resources Policy
Resources Policy ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-
CiteScore
13.40
自引率
23.50%
发文量
602
审稿时长
69 days
期刊介绍: Resources Policy is an international journal focused on the economics and policy aspects of mineral and fossil fuel extraction, production, and utilization. It targets individuals in academia, government, and industry. The journal seeks original research submissions analyzing public policy, economics, social science, geography, and finance in the fields of mining, non-fuel minerals, energy minerals, fossil fuels, and metals. Mineral economics topics covered include mineral market analysis, price analysis, project evaluation, mining and sustainable development, mineral resource rents, resource curse, mineral wealth and corruption, mineral taxation and regulation, strategic minerals and their supply, and the impact of mineral development on local communities and indigenous populations. The journal specifically excludes papers with agriculture, forestry, or fisheries as their primary focus.
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