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This Mine is Mine! How Minerals Fuel Conflicts in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Nicolas Berman

    (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Mathieu Couttenier
  • Dominic Rohner
  • Mathias Thoenig
Abstract
We combine georeferenced data on mining extraction of 14 minerals with information on conflict events at spatial resolution of 0.5 o x 0.5 o for all of Africa between 1997 and 2010. Exploiting exogenous variations in world prices, we find a positive impact of mining on conflict at the local level. Quantitatively, our estimates suggest that the historical rise in mineral prices (commodity super-cycle) might explain up to one-fourth of the average level of violence across African countries over the period. We then document how a fighting group's control of a mining area contributes to escalation from local to global violence. Finally, we analyze the impact of corporate practices and transparency initiatives in the mining industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Berman & Mathieu Couttenier & Dominic Rohner & Mathias Thoenig, 2017. "This Mine is Mine! How Minerals Fuel Conflicts in Africa," Post-Print hal-01633984, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01633984
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20150774
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Armed Civil Conflict; Natural-Resources; War; Curse; Colombia; Greed; Oil; Institutions; Corruption; Grievance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • Q34 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Natural Resources and Domestic and International Conflicts

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