Noting a phenomenal increase in the known mineral and fossil fuel reserves of African countries, as well as longstanding issues of governance that have led to widespread poverty amongst such riches, Botchway (U. of Qatar) presents 14 papers that explore problems of resource extraction in Africa. Topics include the role of the judiciary in dispute settlement and sustainable development, abuses of ministerial discretion in Nigeria and its relationship to environmental degradation from fossil fuels, the relationship between artisanal and multinational gold mining, contractual models used by developing country resource producers, mergers and acquisitions in the resource industry, ways to promote transparency in the management of resource revenue, commodity agreements and the marketing of primary natural resources, resource relations between Africa and China, the resolution of disputes in oil and gas development, and the protection of the environment in the context of resource exploitation. Annotation ⓒ2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Introduction Good governance and resource management in Africa Dispute settlement and sustainable development of natural resources in Africa Resource exploitation and environmental justice in Africa : the Nigerian experience Contractural arrangements for resource investment "A conflict of interest" : a critical examination of artisanal/large-scale miner relations in sub-Saharan Arica Mergers and acquisitions in resource industry : implications for Africa Fiscal regimes for natural resource extraction : implications for Africa's development Africa : from object to agent of socially responsible investment Evolution of international investment law and implications for Africa Commodity agreements and markets Regime theory and China : Africa economic relations : new ideas in old paradigms? The settlement of investor-state oil and gas disputes in Africa The role of international criminal law in environmental protection Economic development and environmental protection in Africa : the constitutional, conventional and institutional contexts