China's Rising Demand for Minerals and Emerging Global Norms and Practices in the Mining Industry

Abstract

This paper examines the disjunction between the current mining practices of Chinese state companies and emerging international norms and host community expectations in the global minerals market. The paper argues that if China does not move toward the observance of new international norms for responsible mining, especially those dealing with interests and concerns of local communities, the result may be increased tensions and conflict in those parts of the world where Chinese mining companies are operating, with potentially negative consequences for China's own interests and economic development.