Natural resources - minerals
In more than hundred countries around the world, miners dig minerals and metals out of the ground, satisfying a slowly but continuously increasing demand from industrial production, agriculture, construction, high-tech sectors, and merchandise producers. In contrast to the other natural resources presented here, minerals are a finite resource, and the resource and their profits needs to be managed carefully to ensure sustained livelihoods after the mine has returned its last profitable diamond. About one and half billion people living on less than $2 a day - live in countries, which have potential wealth – mineral wealth –, and thus one of the key questions for them is how they can turn this endowment into an economic asset that will help them find ways out of persistent poverty. The number of people relying on mining for a living is likely to be over 200 million worldwide – this includes both small-scale artisanal mining and employees under large multi-national corporations. The map is a part of a set, presenting different natural resources, with a focus on developing countries, and the use of natural resources for economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Year: 2008
From collection: Environment and Poverty Times #5: Pro-poor growth issue
Cartographer: Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal