Towards a minerals policy for the Southern African development community (SADC)

[摘要] The minerals sector in the Southern African Development Community(SADC) is considered to be the basis of economic reconstruction anddevelopment. After several decades of mineral extraction, SADC memberStates are still grappling with how the sector can contribute to the broadereconomy and achieve sustainable development. The sector has thepotential to fulfill these national aspirations if appropriate policies aredeveloped.In the context of the SADC, the thesis argues that since most of thepopulation is rural-based, strategies for meaningful mineral developmentmust take into account the concerns of these people. Policy defines avision and aspiration, and articulates what a nation wishes to do with itsmineral resources. The process of policy development is therefore crucialto ensure that the concerns of several stakeholders are considered andconsensus is reached on actions to be taken for beneficial mineralextraction.The thesis shows a process of mineral policy development that result inthe identification of key areas of emphasis to address concerns of themajority of the population in a country. The process has been applied inthe development of mineral policies in Namibia and Malawi during thisstudy. The outcomes address broad and specific social, economic and environmental issues that are consistent with sustainable development.Since the SADC countries have similar problems and opportunities, onceall States have articulated minerals policies using this process, a regionalapproach or policy can be derived. This study illustrates such a policyframework.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand