Mines and Independence

📖 The Scoop

Published as the third volume in the CIIR series A Future for Namibia, this study of the mining sector makes a valuable contribution to the discussion on the economic and political prospects for an independent Namibia. The first part of the book provides a factual, up-to-date and lucid analysis of the past and present operations of the mining companies and their impact on the political economy of Namibia. This part offers important insights into mineral production, company ownerships, profits, and working conditions, as well as the mining sector's links with the international markets and to the South African regime. It also reveals how the mining boom in the 1970s turned into a slump in the 1980s, leading to increasing unemployment and falling state revenues. The second half is concerned with mineral policy issues after independence, and provides a detailed and realistic examination of the options facing a Namibian government committed to social justice and national control of a vital sector of the economy. Among the issues considered are a national mining service, the building up of strong trade unions, training of Namibians, the abolition of the contract labour system, a revision of contracts and agreements with foreign companies and the use of mineral revenues for general development purposes, thus benefitting the people as a whole. The study will undoubtedly serve as a handy reference work with its numerous tables in the text and appendix and with an extensive bibliography. (Eriksen/Moorsom 1989).

Genre: Business & Economics / Industries / General (fancy, right?)