Extractive Industries

Fracking remains controversial, but a dispassionate review of the pluses and minuses of shale gas extraction can shed light on pressing energy needs.

The initiator of the new Responsible Mining Index says he hopes it will fuel change by showcasing the best-in-class and spotlighting those that need to raise their game.

Though unpopular, fossil fuels will remain necessary for decades, experts say at UNCTAD's Global Commodities Forum. The energy transition must therefore include the less dirty alternative of natural gas.

The 2017 issue of the report provides key information on supply and demand for iron ore, industry costs, global trade in 2016, as well as expectations in 2017. The report also includes information on the leading producers and profiles of the most important supplier and consumer regions.

Artisanal and small-scale mining offers opportunities to generate jobs, reduce poverty, and provide livelihoods, but this sector has been largely ignored by policy-makers and donors, an UNCTAD official said. In addition, poor management of this sector contributes to serious health and environmental risks, said Yanchun Zhang from UNCTAD's Special Unit on Commodities.

Extracting heavy minerals such as zircon, rutile and ilmenite from Senegal's coastal dunes is heavy work - these valuable substances represent only 2% of mined material while the rest is sand.

As a supplement to the yearly Iron Ore Market Report, the Database provides comprehensive and up-to-date statistical data on developments in the world market for iron ore. The Database will be updated regularly by the UNCTAD Trust Fund on Iron Ore Information.

A continuing increase in supply combined with a slump in demand made 2015 a challenging year for the iron ore market, a new UNCTAD report reveals.

The ten member States of Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) are endowed with large reserves of fuel and mineral resources 30 percent of Africa's crude oil. With the right policies and institutional capacity in place, the exploitation of these mineral resources could generate substantial government revenues, create jobs and ultimately contribute to economic growth and development. However, available data reveals that the commodity price boom that preceded the recent bust has had a negligible impact on social development in the region.

The 17th African OILGASMINE Conference and Exhibition will examine how the extractive industries can contribute to sustainable job creation, within the sector and in the broader economy.