bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration's Role in Iron and Aluminum Supply Since the Second World War
Authors: EGGERT RODERICK G.
Published: October 2009

This paper analyses the role of exploration in the worldwide supply of iron and aluminum by (1) reviewing changes in the level and geographic distribution of exploration since 1945, (2) studying important discoveries, and (3) comparing exploration's role in iron and aluminum supply with its role in the supply of other metals. It finds that even though exploration and discovery of new deposits account for part of the tremendous postwar expansion in the level and geographic distribution of iron ore and bauxite production, most of the areas that became major producers were known to contain significant mineralization long before detailed evaluation, development, and mining occurred. These areas needed increased consumer demand, lower ocean freight costs, or improved processing techniques to become economically attractive. Iron and aluminum are easier‐to‐find yet harder‐to‐process, and compared with other metals, discovering a better deposit will not reduce overall costs to the same degree as other cost‐reducing forms of investment.
SADCC: Energy and Development to the Year 2000
Authors: YANO YUKO
Published: October 2009

Book revewed in this article:

SADCC: Energy and Development to the Year 2000 Editors: Jorge Tavares de Carvalho Simoaes
Petroleum Company Operations and Agreements in the Developing Countries
Authors: ZAKARIYA HASAN S.
Published: October 2009

Book revewed in this article:

Petroleum Company Operations & Agreements in Developing Countries Author: Raymond F. Mikesell
Microcomputers in the Third World: Recommendations for Use in Water Resources
Authors: RIJSBERMAN FRANK R.
Published: October 2009

The paper provides an introduction for professionals in the water resources field who are considering the use of a microcomputer in their work. The types of hardware and software available are discussed, as well as the factors which should be considered in choosing an appropriate system. Two microcomputer systems are suggested, an ‘ideal’ and a ‘minimum’, along with some indicative prices.
Economic Analysis of Selected Offshore Petroleum Arrangements
Authors: VAN MEURS A. P. H.
Published: October 2009

As a result of the current decline of oil prices, exploration decisions are more carefully analysed than ever before. At the same time various governments have introduced incentives to reinvest in exploration and development in order to maintain or increase activity. As a result, most exploration decisions are now being analysed as “incremental investments”. This has the effect of “trapping” investments in areas where profits are currently being made. This in turn creates serious problems for those developing countries which would like to attract exploration. The paper analyses issues related to sliding scale formulae based on the ROR, and the economic impact of the size of the area to which fiscal terms apply.
Hedging a Commodity Power Rate
Authors: KAUFFMAN THOMAS D. , DOPPLER STEPHEN B.
Published: October 2009

Many of the aluminium smelters in the Pacific Northwest served by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) have become non‐competitive and operate in the role of swing producer in the US and world markets. To avoid these cyclical swings in power demand, BPA is presently studying methods designed to link the price of power charged to smelters with the market price of aluminium. A linked‐rate system tends to stabilize incomes to smelters, but increases fluctuations to the utility. These, in turn, could be stabilized by a hedging operation on the London Metals Exchange.
Offshore Oil Prospects for the Year 2000
Authors: GADON JEAN‐LUC
Published: October 2009

The purpose of this paper is to arrive at an estimate by geographical area of the future trends in offshore oil production. Using such data as current production, depletion rates, oil legislation, exploration activity, government policy, etc., possible oil‐production capacities to the year 2000 are deduced on a country‐by‐country basis.
Indigenous Resource Rights and Mining Companies in North America and Australia
Authors: McGILL STUART , CROUGH GREG
Published: October 2009

A Contrast is made between indigenous resource rights in North America and Australia. The extent to which the indigenous people of these two continents may prevent mining and exploration on their land is examined. It is demonstrated that whereas some Australian Aboriginals have recently acquired limited veto rights to prevent development, the veto rights of the indigenous people in North America are long‐standing and unqualified. In addition, the terms and conditions of mining and petroleum agreements which have been entered into by indigenous people in North America are discussed. These agreements are shown to be better than agreements signed with Australian Aboriginals.
Cogeneration in Developing Countries: Prospects and Problems
Authors: SHARAFI PIROOZ M.
Published: October 2009

The analysis reveals that although cogeneration alone will not resolve power‐shortage problems, it could produce more scheme in developing countries. The paper estimates the cogeneration potential in selected countries and identifies the technical, economic/financial and institutional issues of importance to cogeneration development in developing countries. The analysis reveals that although cogeneration alone will not resolve power‐shortage problems, it could produce more than a 10% increase in the electricity‐generation capacity in developing countries. Most of this potential is in the industrial sector and can be economically developed.
Institutional Aspects of Water Supply and Sanitation in Asia
Authors: KHAN AKBAR ALI
Published: October 2009

The world has enough water to meet the basic human needs for potable water, so the problem of lack of access to safe drinking water is not technical but institutional. The various institutional shortcomings that limit the ability of the developing countries of Asia to supplying potable water and adequate sanitation are reviewed, and some recommendations for alleviating the institutional difficulties are explored.
Photovoltaics for Rural Electrification in the Dominican Republic
Authors: HANSEN RICHARD D. , MARTIN JOSÉ G.
Published: October 2009

Enersol's SOBASEC (SOlar‐BASed Rural Electrification Concept) programme demonstrates that stand‐alone photovoltaic (PV) systems can be an economical option to grid expansion. Developing a local institutional system to support the dissemination of PV technology at the community level has been a major thrust of the programme. Both a service and parts enterprise and a local credit institution have been established, and technicians have been trained and employed. A modest revolving fund was also established to finance the installations. Field analysis of 100 installed systems suggests that small PV systems are viable for widespread application in the Dominican Republic.
Bolivia's strategy for restructuring the state's mining sector and promoting private investment in mining
Authors: Villalobos Jaime
Published: October 2009

Bolivia is a country of great mineral wealth with known reserves estimated to be worth over US$7 billion. Despite this great potential wealth, in the early 1980s the mining industry of Bolivia found itself in a crisis characterized by excessive state intervention in the industry, a financially troubled state mining company, large areas of the country off‐limits to mineral development, an irrational tax system which discouraged mining and labour unrest. To deal with these problems, the government decided to restructure the mining industry so as to encourage private participation. This paper describes the policies introduced to revitalize the mining industry as well as projections of what the future benefits would be to the country if those policies are successful in achieving their objectives.
Metals demand in the Pacific Rim countries of Asia
Authors: Tilton John E.
Published: October 2009

In the early years after World War II the developed countries, and in particular the USA, acounted for a large portion of world metal consumption. Since that time a shift in consumption has occurred favouring the industrialized states of Western Europe, the centrally planned economies of Eastern Europe, and more recently Japan and the other Pacific Rim countries of Asia (PRA). After assessing the magnitude of the shift in metal consumption toward the PRA countries, this paper focuses on differences in economic growth, the nature of trade, and other factors responsible. Finally, the implications of the shift are considered for the nature of metal trade, the competitiveness of metal exporting countries, the structure of international metal markets, and the future availability of metal supplies.
World coal outlook: 1990s
Authors: Raschke Manfred G.
Published: October 2009

In the 1990s for the newly industrializing nations of the Pacific Rim and for the OECD countries as well, the demand for energy is expected to increase at a rate in excess of that of the increase in GNP. The demand for coal is likely to increase as well but probably to a lesser degree than GNP. This is because coal can expect increasing competition not from oil, but from natural gas. For a whole host of reasons, economic as well as environmental, gas could be the preferred fuel of the 1990s. Nevertheless, coal prices can be expected to increase but low cost production due to come on stream shortly, is likely to keep those increases modest.
Copper: after the boom
Authors: Lesemann Robert H.
Published: October 2009

Copper demand is expected to turn down in the latter part of 1989 and then dip further in 1990. The slump in demand is expected to be modest, however, much less severe than the post oil shock recessions of the mid‐1970s and early 1980s. By 1991 a healthy growth is expected to resume. However, major expansions to production capacity are in track and excessive production is expected to keep the copper market in surplus for the next five years. Thus, prices are expected to decline sharply and remain at quite low levels through the mid‐1990s.
The agricultural development of sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Olivares Jose
Published: October 2009

A study prepared by FAO on the irrigation potential of sub‐Saharan Africa is compared with the results of a similar study by the World Bank. The FAO study estimates that there are approximately 33 million hectares potentially suitable for irrigation. The World Bank study indicates that the actual number may be closer to 20 million. Reasons are offered to explain the difference in the conclusions of the two studies. This paper also examines the cost of developing irrigation in the sub‐Sahara as well as the food‐producing potential from irrigation. Costs are found to be in line with irrigation schemes of similar size in other regions. Nevertheless, because much of the irrigation potential is located in only six countries, irrigation does not appear to be a viable means of agricultural development in the sub‐Sahara.
Renewable energy projects
Authors: Waddle Daniel B. , Perlack Robert D. , Jones H. Mike
Published: October 2009

The promotion of renewable energy during the last decade did not result in widescale application of the technology. In many cases, technologies were promoted before they were commercially viable or were inappropriately selected for the particular end‐use application. In other cases, a lack of local technical expertise and support infrastructure was absent to sustain the technology once it had been placed in the field. There was also a loss of donor interest and funding for renewables concomitant with the decline in oil prices. This paper attempts to summarize lessons learned from this decade of experience with renewable energy and to offer criteria and suggestions for future activities in transferring renewable energy technology.
Women as managers of village water resources
Authors: Kompaore Scholastique
Published: October 2009

In rural Africa the time‐consuming and burdensome task of securing water for family needs falls to women. Although women benefit the most when water points are built, the responsibility for operating them has by tradition been given to men. Often the results of that approach have been poor and the water points have fallen into disrepair. With the establishment of water points near to the point of use, the burden of collecting water has been lightened considerably. As a result, women have been able to participate in educational programmes and have established highly profitable enterprises at the village level. This paper describes the role women have played in furthering village development, and because of their demonstrated management skills recommends that they be given responsibility for the management of the water points within their villages.
Large‐scale v small‐scale mining
Authors: Stewart D. F.
Published: October 2009

The paper reviews available information on how scale and technological sophistication affect the extent to which mineral industries in developing countries aid in meeting those countries' development objectives. It also identifies criteria for determining if small‐scale or labour‐intensive operations are suitable to particular mining projects.
The availability of primary nickel from the market economy countries
Authors: Bleiwas Donald I.
Published: October 2009

The US Bureau of Mines has determined the potential availability of nickel from 36 deposits or districts in 16 market economy countries (MECs). More than 95% of production in MECs was analysed. The study indicates the quantity of nickel available in resources and potential annual production at net production costs and on a total cost basis with a 0% and a 10% discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFROR). The properties included in this study contain approximately 33 million tonnes of recoverable nickel. About 26 million tonnes of nickel is potentially recoverable from nickel laterite deposits, of which 4.5 million tonnes can be produced at $2.50/lb or less with a 0% DCFROR. Approximately 7 million tonnes of nickel is potentially recoverable from nickel sulphide deposits of which about 6.3 million tonnes could be produced at $2.50/lb or less at a 0% DCFROR. Sensitivity studies indicate that the total cost of producing nickel from laterite deposits is most sensitive to increases in energy costs, and that the total costs of producing nickel from sulphide deposits is most sensitive to increases in labour costs and by changes in byproduct revenues.
The role of FIDEICOMISO of non‐metallic minerals
Authors: Trejo Alejandro
Published: October 2009

FIDEICOMISO of non‐metallic minerals is a trust development fund aimed at providing credit and technical assistance for the exploitation, beneficiation and downstream processing of non‐metallics. FIDEICOMISO'S funding comes from, in order of importance, the World Bank, operational revenues and federal funds. It is a second tier financial institution operating through the commercial banking system, the latter providing the retail role. In 1987 and 1988 the FIDEICOMISO approved credits for $23 million and $46 million respectively.
The prospects for nickel What price new capacity?
Authors: Lennon Jim
Published: October 2009

The average LME nickel price in 1988 was $6.26/lb and in 1989 was $6.00/lb. This contrasts with an average price of $2.11/lb over the period 1982–87. The reasons for this run up on price include increased demand for stainless steel (the largest use of nickel), reflecting the period of sustained economic growth in the OECD countries, and the decline in market stocks which reached unusually low levels in 1987 and 1988. Forecasts of nickel supply and demand for 1990 and beyond are presented and the need for additional capacity estimated. In general new greenfield capacity will not be needed until the late 1990s.
The African electric power sector in the context of an acute financial crisis
Authors: Menanteau Philippe , Shunker Anjali
Published: October 2009

There has been a sharp downturn in the building of electricity production and distribution facilities in sub‐Saharan Africa due to economic and financial constraints. In part this was due to the steady decline in GDP in sub‐Saharan Africa throughout the 1980s. The slackening growth of demand and the continuing decline in existing generating capacity have led to a shift in emphasis towards the restructuring of electricity companies, management improvements and the rehabilitation of existing plants rather than new investment in production and distribution facilities. Nevertheless, valid doubts remain as to the ability of the African electricity sector to mobilize sufficient resources in the medium term to ensure its development.
Economic incentives to protect water quality in market and planned economies
Authors: Bochniarz Zbigniew
Published: October 2009

This article describes the evolution since the late 1960s of economic incentives and regulatory measures used in water quality management in market and planned economies. Economic measures and instruments for water quality protection are classified and discussed, and examples are given. The problems of pricing natural resources and providing incentives to conserve resources are discussed. Differences in policies between market and planned economies are analysed.
Surveying and mapping of natural resources by remote sensing
Authors: El‐Baz Farouk
Published: October 2009

Sustainable economic development requires detailed knowledge of the natural resources of any nation. Acquiring the needed information by conventional means may require a large investment in time, personnel, and therefore, in cost. A viable alternative is space‐age technology which provides the necessary tools to conduct surveys of natural resources in a timely manner. Such technologies can obtain the required data by means of digital sensors, radar imaging systems and stereo cameras. These data can be utilized to map structures that may contain oil and gas deposits, recognize high concentrations of economic minerals, and discover regions with fertile soils and good potential for groundwater. Those applications warrant greater use of remote sensing methods and techniques by the international scientific community, particularly for the development of natural resources in the Third World. This paper represents a general review of the available, and easily interpretable, space‐borne data that are useful in the mapping of natural resources.
The Asia‐Pacific petroleum market
Authors: Fesharaki Fereidun , Isaak David , Yamaguchi Nancy
Published: October 2009

The late 1980s saw an astonishing turnaround in the Asian oil market. After years of stagnation, three main factors ‐ economic dynamism, lower oil prices and reduced government regulation of the market ‐ resulted in a consumption surge that surprised even those analysts who had predicted such a recovery. The chronically capacity‐surplus refining industry saw a leap in profitability, and new construction began. Rapid demand growth spread from the middle distillates to such formerly depressed products as gasoline and fuel oil, and naphtha markets began to expand again as the petrochemical industry resumed rapid growth. At the same time that demand has been rising and demand patterns have been shifting, other changes have begun. A new environmental awareness has taken root in Asia, and new environmental standards are being set almost daily, not only in the richer countries of East Asia, but also in many of the region's developing nations. Unfortunately, traditional sources of low‐sulphur oil for power generation may be limited in the coming decade. Despite many new discoveries within the region, Asian crude availability is shrinking, both in terms of availability on the international market and in terms of percentage contribution to regional oil demand. After years of decreasing reliance, the region will face rapid increases in imports from the Persian Gulf in the 1990s.
Operation and maintenance of water projects and services in Latin America
Authors: Planas Andrés
Published: October 2009

This paper concentrates on two aspects of the vast subject of ‘… water projects and services’. Even though the questions tackled may affect different water uses, this analysis is focused on operation and maintenance of water supply systems and the institutions that service them. The paper seeks to analyse some of the obstacles which impede the attainment of better performance in the operation and maintenance of water projects. It tackles the institutional problems and restrictions which must be overcome to speed up the adoption of operational patterns which will lead to a better use of available capacities.
Seaborne iron ore trade in the 1990s
Authors: Faria Eduardo B.
Published: October 2009

This paper discusses how world steel production and seaborne iron ore trade have grown since 1950. The role of steel production forecasts in determining investment in the iron ore industry is examined. Forecasts for world steel production and the demand and supply of seaborne iron ore in the 1990s are presented. It is predicted that world steel production will increase by 64 million tons between 1991 and 2000. This increase will be located principally in the developing countries and China. The corresponding increase in seaborne iron ore trade will be approximately 55 million tons. Expansion projects will be located mainly in Australia and Brazil, but no greenfield iron ore projects will be undertaken. By the end of the decade, the demand for seaborne iron ore will be equal to its supply.
Energy and environmental challenges for developed and developing countries
Authors: Ottinger Richard L.
Published: October 2009

A supply‐oriented strategy which accepts current projections of development energy demands, and seeks to satisfy them, based on acquiring capital‐intensive technologies requiring imported fuels is doomed to failure. Developing countries which follow such a strategy will be unable to meet either their energy needs or the basic development needs of their people. To the extent that their energy needs are thus met, it will be at horrendous cost of capital desperately needed for economic and social improvement in non‐energy sectors and with tragic environmental consequences to the developing countries and to the world [17]. The opposite of a supply‐oriented strategy is a demand‐control one. Commercially available or near commercial energy efficient technologies will permit the developing countries to raise the standard of living of their people with only a modest increase in per capita energy consumption.
Groundwater and pollution of water resources
Authors: Solanes Miguel
Published: October 2009

The drafters of water legislation in the developing countries are faced with two major challenges: first, to make the law a suitable instrument for promoting social investment in the development of water resources; and second, to devise machinery which will protect those resources in all their different forms. This paper addresses those challenges. It also discusses the ways in which the law deals with the problems of water and the pollution of water resources. The concept of economic externalities is of basic importance in any consideration of both of these questions. The goal is to handle them with legal instruments designed to prevent individuals from taking action which affects the welfare of other users or which impedes the conservation of water resources for the purposes of their development and long‐term utilization.
Water and sustainable development
Authors: Koudstaal Rob , Rijsberman Frank R. , Savenije Hubert
Published: October 2009

In this paper, it is proposed that water resources should be managed as an integral part of a nation's social and economic development. Water resources managers should broaden their scope of work to include an integrated management approach. Instead of the traditional ‘supply oriented approach’ in which they act in response to ever‐increasing demands for water from different sectors of the economy, water resources management agencies should play a more active role in guiding and stimulating socioeconomic development through more efficient water use. Demand management should be an important tool which should go beyond the improvement of technical efficiencies. Most important is to develop economic and institutional approaches that accept charging for the full costs of the utilization and management of water resources. Implementation of such an approach will require more sectoral integration than is currently the case and will have considerable implications for organizations, staffing, institutional arrangements and corresponding capacity building.
Renewable energy programmes in India
Authors: Sinha Chandra Shekhar
Published: October 2009

Efforts towards the development and deployment of technologies based on renewable energy sources in India are described. A brief review of renewable energy programmes with an emphasis on the specific strengths of the different programmes in the context of India's renewable energy programme is presented. Renewable energy systems which appear to have a significant role to play in the sustainable energy programme of India are identified and their implementation discussed.
Lead/zinc exploration update
Authors: Labonne Beatrice , Guy‐Bray John , Maire Henri
Published: October 2009

For over three decades, the United Nations has been assisting developing countries to explore, promote and develop their mineral resources. By industry standards, its exploration achievements in terms of economic discoveries are regarded as excellent. This paper provides an update of those exploration activities for lead and zinc in Burkina Faso, Pakistan and Nepal. These three case studies were selected because they illustrate the diversity of the technical assistance provided by the United Nations, as well as the technical and economic success of its programmes.
Management strategies for rural water development
Authors: Livingstone Andrew , McPherson Harry J.
Published: October 2009

Non‐sustainability of programmes and projects has become an overriding concern for the water supply and sanitation sector. Poor programme conceptualization, unimaginative planning, use of inappropriate technologies and rigid management approaches have contributed to high rates of programme failure. Five major water supply programmes undertaken during the UN Water Decade in the Western Sudan were analysed for their management approaches, appropriateness and sustainability. Results prompt the conclusion that sustainable projects need to adopt an adaptive and flexible management approach and to employ a conceptual framework which emphasizes community management, the empowerment of women, selection of appropriate low cost technologies, built in operation and maintenance strategies, cost recovery and institutional support to government.
Energy and environment scenarios for Senegal
Authors: Lazarus Michael , Diallo Souleymane , Sokona Youba
Published: October 2009

In this paper, the energy and environmental dimensions of several proposed energy strategies for Senegal are explored. An analytical framework to compare the energy and measurable environmental impacts of a set of scenarios is developed, and the limitations of the quantitative approach are discussed. It is found that policies to promote substitution of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for charcoal use in households may actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving more important near‐term environmental problems. Substitution of LPG for charcoal would not necessarily lead to a significant increase in Senegal's oil import bill, since other petroleum product usage will continue to dominate. Despite past industrial sector initiatives, considerable potential for energy efficiency investment remains, and presents additional opportunities for minimizing environmental impacts.
Assessing hygiene and health related improvements of a rural water supply and sanitation programme in northern Ghana
Authors: Akuoko‐Asibey Augustine , McPherson Harry J.
Published: October 2009

A case control study was carried out to assess hygiene and health related improvements of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Hygienic improvements were measured in terms of sources of water collection and storage arrangements, waste disposal, hand washing, food storage arrangements, and defecation and practices associated with faeces. The perception of women on the mode of transmission and treatment of selected water and sanitation related diseases were the criteria used to assess health related improvements. Comparison of the results in the programme and non‐programme communities indicates that the water and sanitation programme has achieved some degree of success in the areas of water use and water and food storage for the beneficiaries. However, little has been accomplished in changing people's attitude towards the disposal of household, animal and human waste. In addition, the programme has so far been minimally effective in enhancing women's knowledge about the transmission and treatment of water and sanitation related diseases.
Legal aspects of natural resource projects in the CIS
Authors: Starr Robert
Published: October 2009

Foreign companies interested in natural resources ventures in republics of the Commonwealth of Independent States must contend with a legal, regulatory and tax environment that is particularly fluid. The approval process for joint ventures, production sharing and export agreements (particularly for natural resources) is complex. Legislation in most CIS countries falls short of adequately addressing investors' concerns or lacks clear guidance on many key issues, such as conditions under which a state enterprise can enter into new business arrangements under current privatization laws. Among other conditions that act as a constraint to investment projects are lack of a sufficiently convertible currency in each CIS country and complex regimes of currency regulation; the absence of financing techniques that are common in market economies (ie secured lending); the need to scrutinize the validity and enforceability of any locally available guarantees and a reluctance by financial institutions to participate in projects in CIS countries (often because they have considerable difficulty assessing the viability of projects). These problems demand an extraordinary commitment in terms of effort and perseverance from potential investors, as compared to projects in other areas of the world. This paper cites the key negotiating issues and transactions that need to be structured with care by a prudent investor.
Efficient energy use and well being
Authors: Schipper Lee , Price Lynn
Published: October 2009

This paper reviews the evolution of energy use in Sweden since the early 1970s to shed light on the future, with emphasis on the role of energy efficiency. Between 1973 and 1989 improvements in end‐use energy efficiency saved 8% of Sweden's primary energy use and 24% of Sweden's delivered energy use. These savings were concentrated in the residential and manufacturing sectors, with important savings also occurring in air travel and the heating of commercial buildings. Despite these accomplishments, we found that Sweden was well behind Denmark, FRGermany, Japan and the USA in energy savings during this period. At the beginning of the 1990s Sweden exhibited one of the most energy intensive economic structures in the OECD. Sweden now faces many dilemmas that will influence future energy use: the role of nuclear power, pricing and taxation policies for fuels and electricity, the future of subsidies for housing and travel, the role of Sweden's energy intensive exports, and indeed the very lifestyle of the Swedes.
Minerals and the Common Fund for Commodities
Authors: Gocht Werner , Petersen Ulrich
Published: October 2009

This paper reviews the role of minerals in the Integrated Programme for Commodities and the objectives and problems of the Second Account of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). It focuses on the least developed countries in Africa, providing specific suggestions for R&D to improve mineral exploration techniques in rain forest and savanna regions; to reduce mine exploration costs; to design equipment suitable for mining narrow veins; to improve concentrating methods for certain ores and to optimize byproduct recovery; to reduce environmental impacts; and to use the waste products of mining. It also discusses demand oriented CFC projects and their policy implications.
Renewable energy programmes in India
Authors: Sinha Chandra Shekhar
Published: October 2009

There is increasing optimism regarding the possible role that renewable energy technologies can play in the coming decade in the energy sector in India. Some recent developments and trends within the renewable energy sector that are responsible for this optimism, and the likely investments of the order of US$1210 million in the next four to five years, are discussed. The paper includes discussion of the recent changes in the implementing institutions, innovation in financing renewable technology investments, and a shift from financial to fiscal incentives. In addition, wind power generation, small hydro, photovoltaic and gasifier programmes are analysed in some detail.
China
Authors: Tang Frank C , Fesharaki Fereidun
Published: October 2009

For the first time since the mid‐1960s, China became a net oil importer in 1993. That the country will remain a net oil importer is inevitable and probably irreversible for the foreseeable future. In the period to 2000, its crude oil production is projected to increase only 2% annually, while demand for refined oil products is expected to grow at 6.6% per annum. As a result, China's net oil imports are expected to reach 1.3 million barrels per day in 2000, accounting for almost one‐third of its projected oil consumption. Most of the imports will come from the Middle East, and China's dependence on Middle Eastern oil is expected to increase significantly in the future.
The impact of small farm reservoirs on urban water supplies in Botswana
Authors: Meigh Jeremy
Published: October 2009

In eastern Botswana there are many small farm reservoirs within the catchments of the major water supply reservoirs, and there is increasing demand for more small reservoirs. The increasing development of farm reservoirs has an impact on the availability of water from the major reservoirs, which supply urban and industrial users, and this creates a conflict between the needs of the rural water users and the urban and industrial users. This paper describes a model which has been developed to allow the effects of the existing small reservoirs and the possible impacts of future proposed ones on the water resources of the major reservoirs to be quantified. The model provides a planning tool, enabling guidelines for future small reservoir development to be determined. The model is a general one which could also be calibrated and applied in other areas with a broadly similar climate. The results of a series of model runs indicate the rate of decline of runoff and yield from the major reservoirs as the total capacity of small reservoirs within the catchment increases. It also shows how this decline is affected by secondary factors such as the relative location of the small reservoirs within the catchment, the typical size of small reservoirs and the type of use to which they are put. The results clearly indicate the adverse effect which uncontrolled development of farm reservoirs would have on the water supplies from the major reservoirs. By quantifying these effects, planners have some of the necessary information to determine the optimum balance between development of small‐scale rural water supplies and large‐scale urban supplies.
Changes in water resources administration in Latin America
Authors: Lee Terence R
Published: October 2009

Traditionally, in most countries of Latin America, the management of water and water based services has been highly centralized in the public sector. Recently, as the role of government has been reconsidered, many services have been transferred to lower levels of government or to the private sector. At the same time, the emphasis given to water projects as basic development tools has given way to the environmental significance of good water management. Consequently, the approach to water resources management has been modified and space created for the adoption of some of the basic precepts enunciated in the Mar del Plata Action Plan and Agenda 21. In particular, in various countries consideration is being given to water management through river basin institutions.
Sustainable development and technology transfer: business as usual?
Authors: Flanders Lowell L
Published: October 2009

The primary role of the Commission on Sustainable Development is to monitor progress in the implementation of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, Rio de Janeiro, June 1992) and to suggest steps that governments and sectors of civil society can lake to move forward on its implementation. The CSD is to consider information provided by governments and to make appropriate recommendations to the General Assembly keeping in mind that national governments have the main responsibility for implementing Agenda 21.
At the 50th anniversary of the UN
Authors: Dias Ayesha K
Published: October 2009

This paper describes how the design by the UN of its institutions for delivering technical assistance and advisory services in respect of mineral resources development have changed over time. UN practices in such fields as mining and minerals development are analysed, as are the gradual and subtle impacts of such practices on changes in UN perceptions of its roles not only in development but also in peace and human rights. The final section examines some of the problems that will confront the UN in the future, as it seeks to incorporate the principles of interdependence and interlinkage among development, peace and human rights into its technical assistance and advisory services in the field of mining and minerals development.
Financing investments in water supply and sanitation
Authors: Lee Terence R
Published: October 2009

Financing investments in water supply and sanitation has been a perennial problem in all countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The contribution to capital funding derived from the income of operating companies has been very small, a direct consequence of unrealistically low tariffs. The situation has worsened with the increasing need to provide sewage treatment to reduce the gross pollution of most water bodies in the vicinity of large cities. This paper, on the basis of recent studies conducted in EC LAC, explores the practicability of the self‐financing of water supply and sanitation services, including sewage treatment, through the income derived from tariffs. If this is to be achieved then it is important that the entire population pays for services, an issue of some importance given the unequal distribution of income in most cities of the region. The conclusion reached is that on the basis of the available information on costs, together with the experience of some countries, financing through tariffs is feasible, particularly if subsidies are provided to the poorest households. Tariff based financing is probably the only means of achieving universal coverage by the year 2000 as well as sewage treatment, the rehabilitation of existing systems, maintenance and the necessary institutional development.
The mine permitting process
Authors: Martin Wade E , Felipe Azócar H
Published: October 2009

A comparison is presented between environmental regulations and the regulatory institutions of Chile and the USA. There are two important points to the comparison. First, is one system more efficient than the other? Second, does each system result in a comparable level of environmental protection? While an answer to the latter question requires a baseline of data that is currently unavailable, the question of efficiency can be addressed. The Chilean system is found to be more centralized than that of the USA, with more definitive timelines for the permitting process. The US system is more complex and offers more opportunities for public participation in the permitting process. An unequivocal statement as to which is best or most efficient depends on one's perspective regarding the trade off between economic development and environmental quality.
Donor policies and gender in the water and sanitation sector
Authors: Cleaver Frances , Jobes Katja
Published: October 2009

This paper discusses policy towards gender in the water sector. It identifies key directions in gender policy and, while recognizing the progress made by donors towards implementing this, identifies some of the obstacles and difficulties encountered. The paper is based on a review of selected donor agency documentation and on discussions with staff conducted by Katja Jobes in May 1995.
Sustainable development in Asia: the current state and policy options
Authors: Islam Sardar M N , Jolley Ainsley
Published: October 2009

Over the past decades, many Asian economies have achieved striking levels of economic growth. This economic growth has been necessary in order to fulfil the material needs and aspirations of growing populations. However, it has also been accompanied by substantial environmental degradation. While the precise interactions between economic growth, economic development and environmental degradation is subject to controversy and a comprehensive assessment of the Asian environment may be required to fully understand this relationship and the present conditions of the environment, it is argued in this paper that the achievement of sustainable economic development and the harmonizing of economic and environmental objectives will not be possible without deliberate policy interventions. Such policies need to incorporate a regional dimension in the form of institution building, in parallel to the concept of regional economic growth. The article focuses on the current problems of environmental and natural resource degradation in Asia, within a possible conceptual framework of impoverishing or unsustainable economic growth, and suggests a set of policies that need to be adopted in order to solve current difficulties.
The regional impacts of small‐scale gold mining in Amazonia
Authors: Bezerra Oswaldo , Veríssimo Adalberto , Uhl Christopher
Published: October 2009

Gold mining is the major economic activity in the Upper Tapajós River Basin of the Brazilian Amazon. This article studies the structure, economy and impacts of gold mining operations in this region. Mining has significant environmental impacts in this region resulting in the removal of approximately 67 million m3 of sub‐soil per year and accompanied by an annual release of some 12 tons of mercury to air, ground and rivers. In the early 1990s there were 245 mines in operation, employing some 30000 people and producing around 35t gold per year, valued at approximately $400 million yr‐1, the profits being about $110 million yr‐1. Miners spent most of their earnings on local goods and services, while mine owners and merchants in the gold towns invested in land (mainly for ranching), business ventures and money markets. Wealth gained from mining has served as an engine for development in other regions of the world and could, theoretically, achieve the same for Amazonia. However, before this could happen, the Government of Brazil would need to mark a strong presence in the area by providing technical assistance and developing and enforcing mining/environmental regulations. The likelihood of such a development materializing in the foreseeable future is small. In the meantime, gold mining acts, not as an ‘engine for development’, but as a destabilizing force — provoking environmental damage, social discord and public health hazards in the region.
Creating sustainable environmental health conditions by redefining municipal roles and responsibilities: experiences from Tunisia and Ecuador
Authors: Yacoob May , Kelly Margo
Published: October 2009

The multiple and interlinked problems that plague most peri‐urban communities can only be successfully addressed and resolved if roles and responsibilities of all actors in the urban setting are redistributed. This will require fundamental changes in the way municipalities work and define their accomplishments. Behaviour needs to change at all levels, beginning with public sector institutions responsible for communities. Without changes at the municipal level, requisite changes at the community level to remedy the root causes of environment‐related illness, do not occur. Public sector institutions and communities, working as partners with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and, most importantly, with mutual trust, can together make real progress toward improving health and well‐being in peri‐urban settlements. This article discusses two recent projects sponsored by the Environmental Health Project of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): an 18‐month pilot project to improve peri‐urban environmental health in two cities in Tunisia, and a project in Ecuador to support the Ministry of Health in combating cholera in affected provinces. The following examples, methodology, and results may be useful to officials and donor organizations in designing environmental health projects.
Troubled waters in the Middle East: the process towards the first Regional Water Declaration between Jordan, Palestinian Authority, and Israel
Authors: Trolldalen Jon Martin
Published: October 2009

Water disputes in the Middle East are not a new phenomenon. For the first time, however, three parties in the region, Jordan, Israel, and the PLO for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority have concluded a “regional water agreement” within the framework of the Multilateral Peace talks. For the first time, the rationale behind the agreement is being made public by the author, who was the “neutral” facilitator of the negotiations. The article discusses some of the main elements, including issues related to water scarcity as a driving force of conflicts; application of a “track‐two diplomatic” approach; some lessons learned; as well as some ethical questions related to international negotiation.
Political‐ideological constraints on intra‐basin cooperation on transboundary waters
Authors: Turan Ilter , Kut Gün
Published: October 2009

This article offers a different perspective to the well known problems of water scarcity in the Middle East. It is argued that there are strong linkages between prevailing national ideologies and intraregional water disputes. Domestic political necessities and commitments often limit foreign policy choices open to countries with regard to the settlement of water disputes. This tends to exacerbate existing conflict. Reasons given include ideologically intertwined issues related to national security, including food security and national independence in conjunction with a deep socio‐cultural commitment to a prospering agricultural sector. Any proposed solution to Middle East water disputes needs to take ideological‐political factors into account in addition to the physical, social, cultural and economic aspects.