Mediating Transnational Mining Disputes in Africa: The Ghanaian Case

• In Event: Competition among Political Elites from a Network Perspective

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that resource-rich developing countries solemnly protect licensed transnational mining companies against all forms of encroachment by illegal miners. However, between 2017 and 2020, a mining dispute emerged between an illegal Chinese mining company (Shaanxi) and a licensed Australian mining company (Cassius) in Gbane, Ghana. Surprisingly, the state encouraged the illegal mining company to obtain a mining license but evicted the licensed mining company by failing to renew its license. I investigate this outcome by garnering qualitative field and documentary evidence. I find that the networks between transnational mining companies and elite and social groups at different levels of the state can impact political decisions over access to mineralised lands. The finding provides critical insights into how foreign business actors harness divergent networks with competing elite and social groups in resource-rich developing countries in ways that drive economic policy decisions and outcomes.

Author

• Isaac Ziaba, London School of Economics