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72. Unpacking Decentralization: Improving How States and Regions in Myanmar Issue Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Permits
- Author:
- Sebastian Sahla and Hosana Chay
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Abstract:
- Recent reforms in Myanmar’s mining sector have given greater powers to states and regions. Following regulatory changes in 2018, the responsibility for issuing permits for artisanal and small-scale mines has shifted from the capital Nay Pyi Taw to state- and region-level boards. Decentralization could be an opportunity to improve governance of Myanmar’s mining sector. Most artisanal and small-scale miners currently operate without permits. By reducing the physical distance that they need to travel to get a permit, decentralization could make it easier to operate legally. Legal title could strengthen livelihoods while helping the government to monitor mining activities. Decentralization in mining is also part of a broader shift to empower subnational stakeholders. It is an important element of Myanmar’s political transition and attempts to end decades of civil conflict. However, there are major challenges around how the government is implementing decentralization. States and regions have new responsibilities but not necessarily the experience and skills to fulfil them effectively. As a result, decentralization could drive mismanagement and corruption, exacerbate environmental and social impacts, and generate conflicts with large-scale mining. The authors of this report find that at present the potential benefits of decentralization could go unrealized.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources, Mining, and Decentralization
- Political Geography:
- Southeast Asia and Myanmar
73. Mongolia's Missing Oil, Gas and Mining Contracts
- Author:
- Robert Pitman
- Publication Date:
- 02-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Abstract:
- Many of the most important contracts for publicly owned oil, gas and minerals in Mongolia remain secret, despite government promises to make contracts public. A review of publicly available contracts in Mongolia suggests that contracts are unlikely to contain the kinds of information about a project that are commercially sensitive. Likewise, evidence suggests that there is no reason to think that confidentiality clauses prevent disclosure of contracts. Contracting regimes in Mongolia are complex and therefore in many instances, it will be necessary to publish several contracts and associated documents for each project. There are five steps that the government can take to make contracts public: 1) explain the contracting landscape, 2) define the scope of disclosure, 3) establish a contract disclosure rule, 4) make contracts accessible, and 5) support contract use.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Government, Oil, Gas, Journalism, Tax Systems, Mining, Private Sector, and Contracts
- Political Geography:
- Mongolia and Asia
74. The Case for Publishing Indonesian Mining Agreements
- Author:
- Robert Pitman and Rani Febrianti
- Publication Date:
- 09-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Abstract:
- The disclosure of contracts and licenses in the extractive industries is a rapidly growing global norm. There are now over 44 countries that have disclosed at least some extractive industry contracts or licenses, and the new EITI Standard makes it a requirement for all implementing countries to publish contracts and licenses that are granted, entered into or amended after 1 January 2021. This reflects a growing recognition among governments, the private sector and civil society organizations that disclosure of these documents helps to improve governance of natural resources and contributes to a more stable investment climate. In Indonesia, long-standing advocacy by civil society has resulted in notable advances. In 2011, a decision by the Central Information Commission declared that mining contracts are open documents and a 2016 decision by the Supreme Court declared that IUP licenses are also open documents. Together with a new EITI requirement for the publication of contracts and licenses, these decisions provide the groundwork for the government of Indonesia to develop disclosure practices that will position the country at the forefront of a global trend. This brief explains why Indonesia should proactively publish these important documents, gives an overview of the documents that it should make public, and suggests a path for making publication a reality.
- Topic:
- Treaties and Agreements, Mining, and Transparency
- Political Geography:
- Indonesia and Southeast Asia
75. Considerations for Taxing Myanmar’s Large-scale Mining Companies
- Author:
- David Manley, Sebastian Sahla, Ko Ko Lwin, and Khin Saw Htay
- Publication Date:
- 09-2019
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Natural Resource Governance Institute
- Abstract:
- Despite geological potential, Myanmar's mining sector has attracted few large-scale companies to date and the sector generates little government revenue. The authors of this briefing present the challenges the Myanmar government has faced in designing an effective mining tax regime. They suggest three ways in which the government could attract greater investment and allow the people of Myanmar to maximize benefits from the potentially significant mineral wealth of their country. The briefing is informed by the Natural Resource Governance Institute’s engagement with Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), helping the ministry implement strategic reforms.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources, Tax Systems, Mining, Private Sector, and Revenue Management
- Political Geography:
- Southeast Asia and Myanmar
76. Brown Coal Mining in the Czech Republic – Lessons on the Coal Phase-out
- Author:
- Lukas Lehotsky and Mikulas Cernik
- Publication Date:
- 01-2019
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- International Issues: Slovak Foreign Policy Affairs
- Institution:
- Slovak Foreign Policy Association
- Abstract:
- The article offers an overview of coal production policies in the Czech Republic – the third-largest coal consumer in the EU and a post-communist country struggling to take decisions over the future of the coal phase-out. It developed its phase- out policy in the early 1990s to address the destruction of the local environment. However, since then no steps have been taken in relation to phase-out. Instead, coal production stakeholders have attempted to maintain the coal lock-in and to reverse phase-out. The article begins by discussing the factors that have led to the ambiguity. It then places the discussion over the future of phase-out within the wider context of a just transition, and offers insights into the Czech case which may prove useful to other countries considering transitioning away from coal.
- Topic:
- Energy Policy, Natural Resources, Mining, Renewable Energy, and Coal
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Czech Republic
77. The National Liberation Army in Colombia and Venezuela: Illicit finance challenges stemming from illegal mining
- Author:
- Andres Martinez-Fernandez
- Publication Date:
- 07-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
- Abstract:
- National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas remain a potent challenge for regional security and development. The ELN is growing in Colombia and Venezuela, thanks to its involvement in illegal mining, now the most important revenue source for the guerrilla group. The ELN’s illegal mining remains virtually unrestricted in Venezuela, thanks to the Nicolás Maduro regime’s complicity. At the same time, despite the Colombian government’s recent efforts, illegal mining continues to take place throughout Colombia, benefiting armed groups like the ELN. To cut off the ELN from this vital revenue source, the United States and Colombia must work to expand the presence of the state in areas affected by illegal mining, formalize artisanal miners, strengthen the state’s enforcement and investigatory capacities, and isolate Venezuela from global gold markets.
- Topic:
- Crime, Mining, and Organized Crime
- Political Geography:
- Colombia, Latin America, Venezuela, and United States of America
78. Linkages to the Mining Sector in Colombia
- Author:
- Columbia Centre on Sustainable Investment
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
- Abstract:
- At the request of the Colombian Government and with the support of GIZ, CCSI prepared a policy brief focused on linkages from the mining sector in Colombia. The brief gives an overview of existing regulatory requirements, government policies and company programs to foster economic and infrastructure linkages. Based on the findings, the brief provides suggestions for next steps if the government is to develop a more comprehensive linkage creation program.
- Topic:
- Natural Resources, Infrastructure, Governance, Regulation, and Mining
- Political Geography:
- Colombia and South America
79. Monitoring Uranium Mining and Milling in China and North Korea through Remote Sensing Imagery
- Author:
- Melissa Hanham
- Publication Date:
- 10-2018
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
- Abstract:
- Although uranium mining and milling constitute the first step in any nuclear-weapons program, nuclear nonproliferation analysts have devoted surprisingly little attention to monitoring these processes. Understanding and monitoring uranium mines and mills can provide deeper insight into fissile-material production. This report focuses on the insights gleaned from remotely sensed images of known Chinese uranium mines and mills to understand the current status of uranium mining and milling in North Korea.
- Topic:
- Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Power, Surveillance, Mining, and Uranium
- Political Geography:
- China, Asia, and North Korea
80. Monitoring Uranium Mining and Milling in India and Pakistan through Remote Sensing Imagery
- Author:
- Melissa Hanham, Grace Liu, Joseph Rodgers, and Ben McIntosh
- Publication Date:
- 11-2018
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
- Abstract:
- CNS Occasional Paper #41 details existing and potential uranium mines and mills in India and Pakistan as part of an ongoing project to track uranium production in Asian states that possess nuclear weapons. As non-signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, India and Pakistan face challenges procuring fissile material from foreign sources. Both countries have ongoing nuclear-weapon programs, clear and increasing demands to supply their nuclear-energy programs, and domestic production deficits. The continuing and increasing demand for uranium in India and Pakistan indicates that domestic uranium production is likely to grow significantly in the near future. This paper explores remote-sensing techniques that can allow open-source analysts to monitor and track front-end uranium production activity in these countries. India and Pakistan both have plans to expand their nuclear-energy industries, increasing both countries’ demands for uranium. However, without membership in the NPT, both countries face a multitude of challenges to importing uranium. They are not entitled to receive nuclear-related technologies from nuclear-weapon states, nor are they allowed to trade nuclear materials with any NPT states parties. This leaves only non-signatory countries as possible trading partners: Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan. Pakistan has a history of trade with North Korea through the now-defunct A.Q. Khan network. Both India and Pakistan are expanding existing uranium mines and mills and funding exploratory research into new sites for uranium-resource exploitation. Both countries still rely heavily on domestic production of uranium resources, which allows analysts to gain significant insight into their nuclear capabilities by monitoring domestic uranium-production sites. The operational output of a mine or processing plant can be gauged by weighing numerous factors, including the amounts of vehicle traffic, construction on the site, tailings and waste piles, and changes in the surrounding environment.
- Topic:
- Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Power, Surveillance, Mining, and Uranium
- Political Geography:
- Pakistan, India, and Asia