Tidiane Kassé - 2008-10-12

Tidiane Kassé looks at the current state of affairs with regard to the extractive industries in West Africa. He points to the complicity of governments and major corporations in exploiting these resources without any real benefits accruing to the populations. The lack of transparency and information available to the populations of the regions obfuscates all manner of corruption and malfeasance. Panos Institute of West Africa organized a workshop for journalists in early October aimed at equipping them to provide accurate information to affected populations and spur action by civil society to confront the ills associated with the sector.

Keith Slack - 2008-10-12

Mineral exploitation is both one of the oldest global industries and an economic sector of great importance for contemporary developing countries. In light of the new record price for minerals such as gold and copper, the sector’s influence has increased enormously over the last few years. Exploring the environmental concerns and escalation of local conflicts associated with mineral exploitation, Keith Slack reviews the continuing difficulties arising from governments’ collaboration with multinational corporations and the consequences of countries’ dependence on commodities.