1st Edition

Mining Environmental Policy Comparing Indonesia and the USA

By Michael S. Hamilton Copyright 2005
    310 Pages
    by Routledge

    310 Pages
    by Routledge

    Illustrated by a detailed comparative examination of mining regulations and environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the USA (the second largest producer of coal in the world) and Indonesia (the eighth largest and most rapidly growing), this book argues that the degree of policy integration often determines the success or failure in controlling environmental effects of mining operations. Comparison of surface mining regulation in the two countries provides some stark contrasts, some surprising results concerning the diffusion of policy innovations from one country to another, and instances of both policy success and failure. The book provides significant new insights into international relations and comparative environmental policy, particularly as they affect rainforests and biodiversity. It also suggests that if mining environmental policy were to be effectively implemented, the environmental degradation caused need not be permanent.

    Contents: Preface; Introduction: mining environmental policy implementation in two countries; Coal mining regulatory policy in Indonesia; Coal mining regulatory policy in the United States; Environmental assessment policy in two countries; Lost profits, royalties, and environmental quality; Developing mining environmental policy in Indonesia; Improvment of program organization; Development of institutional capacity; Origins and motives for assistance; Lessons learned; References; Appendix: persons interviewed; Index.

    Biography

    Michael S. Hamilton University of Southern Maine, USA