Mining, Politics, And Development In The South Pacific

This book provides a general study of the political, economic and social ramifications of mining in the South Pacific. Using case studies (gold and copper mining in the former British and Australian colonies of Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, nickel and chromite in the French colony of New Caledonia and phosphate on the islands of Nauru, Banaba, Makatea and Angaur) Howard focuses on the mining sector as it relates to issues surrounding local elites, foreign capital, labour relations, indigenous land rights and the state. Theoretically, the work builds on the dependency and mode of production perspectives to contribute to the more general debate on economic development, especially concerning the role of natural resources in the development of small states.